Auckland February 1st. 1858. My dear Sir, Altho my first and second letter to you are still unanswered, you see the emergency of the case now in hand when I venture on a third beyond a resolution made never to write you again, but the reason you had for not answering me had been fully and satisfactorily explained in so that I may take the same liberty again, and I am sure to purpose, as you can easily effect my object. I called last week on Rogan at your office to see what was the reason the Pakaraka Block was not proclaimed, which he could not tell, but said as Mr. Johnson was here he would enquire of him if there were any objection to its transfer to the Provincial Govt. On calling on Rogan again a few days after according to his own proposal, he had on paper from Johnson objections to the desired transfer, the money being given to the chief Tirero and not giving their share to others. Now I had been down to Wangarei during the recess and examined into the matter and find the one or two natives disappointed by the grasping chief would give no trouble to any new occupier of the place in view, but blame Tirero, I also consulted Mr. Aubrey on the matter and he says there would be no trouble at all besides the plan or spot I should camp on was solely owned by the chief already often mentioned above. The transfer of this land may be defered but to no good purpose. What, I should ask, does Tirero care altho is should lay idle there for years that will serve his greed to the letter, but let the land be immediately occupied by Europeans, and the smaller claimants will soon put the chief to the test. You will have to proclaim some day or other, and it will be, in my view, better to do so while the thing is fresh, than when Tirero spends all the money. I thought by the time the affairs of the Council would be over that I could get the liberty of the Superintendent to go and build my camp on the plan, but while things stand this way, I am only like the dog chasing the crow from hillock to hillock, chasing shadows, I am now getting fairly disgusted with my own credulity, and without you are pleased to remove the present straw out of the way of the General Govt. I must soon go some where else while I have anything left to enable me to do so, do you not think I would have some chance in Otago where Capt, Cooper says in his Book no other man would have a chance but a Highland man. I understand they would send a vessel to transfer the whole of us to that plan and thereby direct those who are to follow us in large numbers to Otago. If I am not enabled to take possession of the Point by the time the Council rises, I am determined not to go back to Wangarei but diestmy course to the South to see what can be done down there, as if I will not get the land in time to prepare it for a crop this season it will be disastrous and may as well make my flight in time, besides the people whom I brought hence are in a very humiliating condition in Auckland, and in great suspense they will not be able to better themselves but I am confident you will on receipt of this cause the veto to be removed of Pakaraha and give me a chance again to commence to do something to scare away poverty. Excuse this liberty and hasty scroll as it was this morning I heard a vessel was bound for Ahuriri and as a last resort thought of making this last attempt. Hoping to hear from you by first opportunity, I am yours faithfully, John Munro. Donald McLean Esqr.