New Plymouth February 2, 1857. My dear Sir, You will see from the enclosed Gazette that Mr. Parris has been appointed Provincial Treasurer. The Provincial Secretary in making his statement to the Council observed that a salary of £100was at present attached to the office of Treasurer, but as it was thought that Mr. Parris could materially serve the Province by buying land, or assisting to do so, an application to the General Govt, would be made for the authority enabling him to act. In that case he would retire from the Treasurership. and give himself to the new duties at a salary. Such is the plan proposed for unravelling the Land Question, as far as I am concerned I shall be ready and happy to work with him in this all important matter on receiving authority from you to do so, in the meantime, unss your 'Circular" of the 3rd. ultimo, received last Friday, removes the prohibition I have hitherto been subject to, I can only watch and report future proceedings to you and not originate any proposal for obtaining land. I should tell you that my appointment or appointments are but imperfectly known here, the impression being that there is no authorized officer of the Genl. Govt, whose duty it is to negotiate with Natives for land in this Province. May I ask that you will cause me to be gazetted. I feel satisfied that the natives will decide on peace notwithstanding the opposition of Nikorima's natives. I shall attend the meeting at the Ikamoana not this day, being merely a day for assembling but tomorrow, and hope to render you a satisfactory account of it. After peace is made I believe the land may be purchased. The present feeling of our immediate natives against Govt., I think little of, for after forgiving Katatore it is not likely they will entertain for any time unfriendly feeling to the Government for not having assisted them in their troubles. When you think it advisable I hope to receive your authority for conducting negotiations with the natives for land - it will afford me much satisfaction to work with the Provincial Govt, in obtaining land and in all matters connected with the natives. Hoping you are well after your trip to the Thames. Believe me, faithfully yours, H. Halse. To:- McLean Esq. Feb. 3. Hearing that the Kaumatua's had met at the Ikamoana I went down yesterday with Mr. Whiteley. The following natives, Paora Paturoi, Wata te Riri, Ihaia te Kirikumara, Timotui Nikorima, Pita Kipa, Paora Ngamotu and Mikorima, who spoke as their names appear, were all more or less violent against peace with Katatore - indeed I am not aware that there was a single native present in favor of Karipa's tikanga. Poharama was for peace providing the opposite party surrendered a little land as satisfaction for the tupapaku's, the whole of his speech appeared to me to elicit more attention than was bestowed upon previous speakers. Mahau was quite practical and somewhat amusing but his well known opposition to land selling gives him an inclination towards Katatore which is but partially covered. When the Ninia natives had occasion to fear the threatening attitude of Ngatiruanui, it appears that they gave the Ikamoana to Nikorima and his natives, as indeed they might well have given anything, when they became allies to Arama Karaka. Now that peace is established amongst the Puketapu tribe, it strikes me that Karipa and others, and wish Nikorima to return to his place, in order that the pas may bedestroyed and the land revert to them. Nikorima's natives anxious to be near the pakehas inend to , hoping no doubt to come in for a share of the payment for that land when sold to Govt. The matter now in dispute is the Ikamoana and how Karipa will extricate himself I cannot conceive. He and his followers will go to the Kaipakopako on the 5th. instant, to rub hoses with Katatore, after that I think you may consider this tedious business at an end as any further opposition on the part of Nikorima and Kirikumara who is identified with him, will be useless and can only satify native pride. Every body knows that Nikorima sided with right against wrong in a quarrel amongst the Puketapu tribe - that tribe is, I may say, now united, the only object therefore that Nikorima can have must be to retain possession of the Ikamoana. Karipa wishing to give effect to his desire for peace applied for a bag of flour and some sugar which I supplied him with, hoping the present will under the circumstance meet with your approval. The letter to W. Kingi, the copy of which is enclosed was stopped by Nikorima's natives, much to the annoyance of W.K. I fell in with it at the Ikamoana pa and unobserved took a copy for your information. Feb. 4. Waka is back with a party of Ngatiruanui natives and there is such a howling at the Kawau. You see there is no mistake about peace - it was inevitable after Hone Ropiha's visit to the Kaipakopako. I think your patience must be about tried with my rambling pen, so I will go and post this at once to be in time for the Zingari. H.H. Please remember me to Rogan.