New Plymouth Novr. 20th. 1856. Dr. Sir, By the last trip of the Steamer I wrote you a letter relative to the case of Chilman versus Wi Tana which was referred to the Provincial Council, a majority of which body hurried over the affair, and decided in favour of Chilman which decision produced such a commotion of the public, and universal censure, as is likely to result in displacing the powers that be. Upon the receipt of Mr. Sewes correspondence relative to Mr. Wicksteeds letter, the Superintendant recommended "a special committee to reconsider Chilmans claim and to enquire into all alienations of land with out the authority of Law". The object of this was apparent to many, to prove a case against you Sir. I was one of the Committee although Thos. King threatened me that I should not be in the case of the Kauwau as mentioned in my last. In the interim, from the appointment of the Committee and its first sitting some 4 or 5 individuals were industriously hunting up cases, but in every one brought before us they have completely failed, at which they are very much chagrined. The case of Chilmans being reopened such a mass of evidence was produced by Mr. Wm. Halse and other witnesses as completely repudiated his claim to his great discomfort, his only supported was Thomas King who is equally disappointed. You will no doubt Sir be surprized to hear the Provincial Council has memorialized the Governour for a dissolution. The Superintendant and his party are doing all they can to work upon the Governor through Mr. Richmond to prevent a dissolution, and I believe Mr. Richmond will do all in his power to serve them, in opposition to the man we are bringing out for Superintendent viz. Mr. Cutfield, I do therefore trust Sir that you will be enabled to make known to the Governour who Mr. Cutfield is, that the Governour may be convinced of his being a man that will work with the General Govt. which is essentially necessary for us. And I further hope and trust Sir that you will not forsake us and set yourself against the place, because those would be rulers have behaved so inconsistantly and scandalously towards you, for permit me to assure you their conduct towards you is quite repugnant to the wishes of the people of Taranaki. With kind respects, I remain Dr. Sir, Your most obdt. servt., Robert Parris. To D. McLean Esqr.