Nuhaka August 23rd 1867 to His Honor the Superintendent Sir, I take the liberty of writing to inform you of the almost impassable state of the Road between this place and the Mahia the creek that runs past Mr. Sturms old house is quite impassable and has been for some time for travellers I could mention a great many people who have had a ducking there among others Mr. Biggs who not only got all his papers soaked with water but nearly lost his life not being a very expert swimmer Mr. Locke when he came down the coast with Mokena had also a ducking and I had to lend him a dry suit indeed there is never a week passes but something of the kind happens sometimes every day, I have had to strip myself and carry the mail across in one hand when the road has been so bad this winter it has been impossible to take a horse through the bush, no doubt your Honor will see that I could not afford to keep a canoe and ropes there as I get no Bonus for the Nuhaka ever and yet if I am not there in attendance or keep a man there in my place I am liable to a fine Mr. Deighton fined a native for crossing a white man the other day at Nuhaka, I am also anxious to get your Honor's opinion about this land I am living on at Nuhaka 50 acres G.R. will there be any chance of buying it it ajoins my land and will be shortly merely a thistle bed I am prepared to purchase it at the same price the rest of the Nuhaka Block brought viz.£7.0.0 per acre. I have also been advised by several respectable parties to apply to your Honor for a Bush license to sell spirits as there is none to be had between Wairoa and Turanga and travellers after getting a ducking in the Kopu creek at Sturms require some medical comforts and there is none here. I have the Honor to be Your Honor's obedient servant - Thomas Bell