Auckland Feb. 6th. 1858. My dear McLean, I drop you a line by this days post just to say that there is no particular news. Our last accounts from Taranaki speak of preparations for renewal of the strife. It is however thought that Ihaia may be induced to leave the Ikamoana and return to Waitara. The Hawhe taone has been occupied by his opponents in order to cut off his communication with the town. Haia has written a letter to Halse giving his reasons for the sanguinary deed, from which it is clear that a principal one was envy that Katatore's offer of land should be accepted by the Govt. while his own was disregarded or made secondary. He justifies his act on the ground that his victim was a murderer and an opponent of the Govt. and protested against the Europeans calling him to account saying that he has no wish to quarrel with them but quite ready to meet them if he is to make an enemy. Friend is back in the office and appears inclined to make amends for the past by attention to his duties. The question of my salary has been discussed with Richmond who entirely repudiates the idea of there having been any understanding between yourself and them respecting increase. The utmost they will do is to promise to propose to the ''House'' an increase to £300 to date from Septr. In the interim I am to receive at this rate with the understanding however that if disallowed by the Assembly I am to refund. I am no party to this arrangement further than to take the money and say nothing - the alternative being to go without increase until the Assembly meet. A bonus of £20 has been given me for my work in translating the laws. I find Richmond very reasonable and by no means ready to raise points with our department - but I can see a struggle in prospect and the worst of it is that the Governor is contending for retaining native affairs in his hands is fighting for the shadows - the substance being in the hands of the Keepers of the purse. Fenton is back from the Waikato and has succeeded in distwrbing the mind of the Governor on the King business. Fenton describes affairs in Waikato as all gone to the dogs and lays it to his detention in Auckland after he wished to return. He now proposes to spend half his time in Auckland and half in Waikato. I have seen the Govr. and succeeded in quieting him a little. He is afraid of the opposition in the house taking up against us the fact of our pensioning Te Whero whero - I told him that the fact of the old man's sending in for his pension was aproof that he was not meditating treason against us as he would not lay himself open to be taunted with receiving the Govt. money while in reality its ememy. We hear however that there is to be a meeting in March at the junction of the Waipa and Waikato, when the House is built, which some call the King's house others the ''Whare runanga''. I heard yesterday that Potatau talks of going inland thinking himself near death. Purchas was mentioning this - I am sorry to hear it as I think we ought to keep the old man at Mangere if possible. I have not time to add more than kind remembrances from us all. We are very busy and the Govr. is very impatient for the laws which have not been touched since you left. Yours truly Thos. H. Smith.