Monday, 14 Sep, 57 My dear Sir The only occurrence of the past week has been the meeting at the Poutoko pa about the Kia ngarara ceremony. It took place on Wednesday and was attended as nearly as I could reckon by about six hundred and fifty five natives, The particulars of which will appear in my diary. Tamati te Ito is at the Poutoko and was to leave this day for Warea and thence to the Umuroa. Where he will proceed next, is not at present known, but it is supposed that he will be called upon to perform his ceremony all over this Island. Painful as these proceedings must be to the long resident missionaries, I believe that much good will accrue out of them, as it is, the attendants at the Native Chapels, are on the increase, one object therefore of Te Itos, namely, to induce the natives to hold fast to Christianity, is apparently being attained. I received your letters with enclosures last Saturday but an unfortunate event has prevented my answering them by this days post. The 'Polly' from Sydney Cap. Holford --- was loading with potatoes and lost the opportunity of standing out to sea yesterday while the wind was from the N. East. The wind suddenly shifted to N. West and blew with so much fury as to cause the 'Polly' to lose one anchor and drift inside the breakers with the other. As there was no prospect of the weather moderating and a dark night before her, she was directed to make for the landing place, which she accordingly did, but the breakers struck her so heavily that there is no hope of getting her off again. She was a fine brig of about 200 tons and is now being dismantled. Hone Ropiha brought the enclosed letter to me this morng. for you. I told him that W. Ropiha's charge agst. him had been set aside by the Governor and no further notice would be taken of it. Faithfully yours H. Halse To:- McLean Esq.