Stapleton, Coromandel May 11 1860 My dear Sir As you may perhaps hear reports to the effect that the Natives here are likely to go to join Waikato and Taranaki do not beleive a word of it as it is all moonshine it has been started by Kitahi to frighten some of the Europeans so that he may bounce them out of whatever he wants he tells them that he will stay and protect them whilst all the other Maoris go to fight the Soldiers at Taranaki There is no fear about that the only thing that is to be feared is the subject I wrote about in my public letter I do fear that there will soon be a culition on that point it was only yesterday that I heard them threaten a white man to take him before Kitahi and try him the whites will resist and the Maories are determined except the Government authorise some person to act when I was in Auckland in July I had an interview with Mr Richmond I pointed out to him the necesity of giving a Commission of the Peace to some person in the Harbour he quite agreed with me that it was needful and said that he would remmember it when the next commision was issued out I trust that the Government may take some immediate step if not it will soon be too late. The way proposed by me would not cost the Government anything and have the effect of satisfying both the whites and also the natives Please to let me by of Horopeta what was the exact sum draw by me in Feby. 1859 for the payment of Land I have by some means mislaid my account of that date and although it will no doubt be found before long I wish to make up my return at once and send it up which I cannot do without that information. I shall forward deeds next time of nearly 10000 acres that I have lately purchased I will send you next time a sketch of the district that I wrote to you last about the whole of that block with 2 blocks that joins it will carry the purchas from this harbour to the inside river at Whitianga in all with what is purchased about 42000 acres a very large portion of which is rich level land and could be thrown open at once with a good road which could be made from this harbour at a small expence I will give you more information on this next time but I think that it ought to be surveyed without delay I shall not recommend an accurate survey but a sketch survey will answer all purposes and save a good sum. Please to excuse haste as the vessel is going beleive me to remain yours very truly James Preece D. McLean Esqr. Land Purchas Dept. Auckland