Letter from W. Halse to Donald McLean dated 12th. June 1854. New Plymouth 12th. June 1854. My dear McLean, The Overland Mail arrived last night; but brought no later dates than the steamer. The weather has been very wet, and to a certain extent put a stop to surveying. Nevertheless, as you will be informed by Cooper, the Hua work has been pushed on wherever practicable. I mentioned in my last letter, Rogan's arrival; but it was not for some days that an arrangement was made for employing him, owing to the terms; but the Superintendent, Cooper, and I met; and it was arranged that he should receive a guinea a day, for the Hua work, until Cooper could write to you. The Superintendent had previously offered me £100 a quarter for 6 months, (I believe I have already mentioned this to you); so it enabled him to give an opinion on the employment of Rogan. We all agreed that his services are worth a guinea; indeed Brown offered to recommend him for permanent employment, if he would forego the guinea, it being too much to pay, in the opinion of Brown. But this Rogan declined, as he had asked for it, and considered himself entitled to it. Now I do not recommend Rogan to you for employment, but should you give it to him, I do recommend that he be placed in Cooper's Department, and not in mine. It may be understood that when not required by Cooper, he shall assist Carrington in the office, without being under his direction. Further, that he should follow up the Mokau question, as the natives are old acquaintances, and place confidence in him. My views on the importance of the Mokau are already known, and need not be repeated. He might also be employed in improving the road between the two places. This would bring the place within easy distance of New Plymouth. No surveyor should be sent among the natives, who cannot camp with them, talk in their own language, and by addressing himself to their living and ways in a measure; lose no opportunity of removing prejudices, which stand as much in their way as ours; and of pushing the great question of inducing them to part with their lands to Government, None of these things can Carrington do. But the other can, and does. Rogan cleared out of town this morning after his engagement; and only came in from bad weather, after having worked zealously at the surveys, and in the other ways I have touched on. The separation of Carrington from native work would bring him back to his proper occupation, which is falling into sad arrear. Indeed, the employment of two would be for widely different purposes. One is already appointed to the field and office work arising from the sale of land to Europeans; and it will occupy years to clear off the back work. The other would go amongst the natives, buying their land, and survey it at one and the same time, --- a vast improvement on the present system of sending the surveyor after the Commissioner, and the Commissioner after the surveyor, alternately. Respecting Mokau, I have paid Rogan, as pressing, £32, viz, --- £21.12/- for survey labour, North, and £4.10/- south of the river; £5 for a horse, and £1 for a fence. As at present there is no authority for these payments, will you supply it, as well as for Rogan's own salary, which I have not paid? Mr. Carrington was to have a meeting of natives on the Oakura question, and I believe it commenced to-day. Result not yet known. The natives say Tamati te Ngahuru had two tongues at the large Southern Meeting. Amongst the deaths should be noted Parata's, of Puketapu; the old Huia's son, of consumption. O. Carrington tells me the Tapaue Meeting was postponed yesterday, owing to Thomas Williams' absence in town, to this day. So there is nothing to communicate. I send enclosed, cheques for £197; which close accounts between us, except 4/2, and accidental balance. Campbell never reached you, it appears, although I passed him early in the day this side of Urenui, and told him you had parted from me in the morning, and would remain some days at Mokau. I believe he is working at the Hua, for Mr. Reed; and I have retained £5, which you requested me to pay to him. The account current and vouchers will explain themselves. Please to acknowledge the money by return. I remain Yours sincerely (Signed) W. Halse. To:- Donald McLean.