Henui, New Plymouth 3rd. July 1854. My dear Sir, Many thanks for the loan of "Erskine's Remarks", a book the perusal of which has given me great pleasure. I trust the reading of it will not only gratify but produce a beneficial influence on our minds. I have also to thank you for the New Zealander containing Col. Wynyard's speech on the opening of the "House of Representatives" which does credit to both his head and heart, and lastly but above all I have to thank you for your kind letter, more especially for the consideration you have therein shown for the suggestions I ventured with regard to the removal or otherwise of Mr. H. Halse. Permit me here to remark on your observation that other portions of the Country required efficient Native Officers, which seems to imply that I attached too much importance to the wants of this District so that other districts were not taken sufficiently into account; that whilst feeling a great anxiety for this Settlement I likewise considered that by a steady and efficient carrying out of those measures which had been commenced here by the Government for the welfare of the Maoris, or beneficial influence would be extended over the Aborigines in other parta of the Colony; and therefore that as the Officers now settled here had acquined to a considerable degree the confidence of the Natives it would be advisable if possible to continue them here and select others to commence and carry on operations in other parts. It has I dare