Auckland June 24/59 My dear McLean, I drop you a line by this mail per 'Lord Worsley' not knowing where it may find you or when -- We are going on smoothly at the office -- plenty of work in doors and abuse out of doors but the mental cuticle becomes indurated after a while and like the eels we get used to skinning -- The Direct purchase move seems to have ended in smoke -- The Governor was quite prepared to meet the deputation with an array of facts and figures and if they are not gratified we may at least hope they are for the present. Wi Nero's people have renewed their offer of land on the Waipa through the Superintendent they have also offered a line of road from Whangaroa to Waipa asking £300 for it -- The block offered is estimated by Mr. Wallis at 6,000 acres -- That gentleman urges the Govt. to open negotiations for this land -- The Minute from this office is quite opposed to this -- sets forth that the native owners are not all agreed to the sale -- that the price asked (abt.4/s per acre) is exorbitant and that it would be desirable until an opportunity offers of dealing with the Waipa as a whole or at least on a more extended scale instead of bargaining for a small block the effect of which will be only to enhance the value of the adjoining lands even supposing the question of disputed claim were got over which is unlikely as there is every probability that the parties opposing the sale would be supported by the anti land selling party in the Waikato - Turton has found some work to do at Tauranga, has made a seizure of a gun and 100 lbs. of powder and convicted Black of Matata of breach of Arms Importation Ordinance, two cases, inflicting a penalty of £50 in each case which fines have been duly paid -- and the half given to natives active in procuring conviction -- Application for remission or mitigation will be made by Black and there seems reason to believe that Turton's proceedings have been scarcely in accordance with the letter of the law. Every thing seems going on well at the Bay and the Circuit Courts working well. We are somewhat inconvenienced by Friend's absence with regard to matters of account -- Baker tells me he has no means of ascertaining whether a sum of some £200 has been received on account of the Opotiki mill -- A first sum of £150 -- was paid here by Hira Te Popo and others and paid by us for iron work and as an advance to the Mill wright -- The latter with a native from Opotiki not a party to previous transactions now apply to the office for a fresh advance on account out of sums alleged to have been subsequently lodged in hands by other natives on account of the mill -- Mr. Sanderson knows nothing about the matter but would recommend a payment if there are funds -- Meanwhile no receipt is produced and we cannot tell whether money has been received here or not, perhaps you will recollect the circumstance or Friend at least can put Baker into the way of ascertaining how the case stands. The Governor has set his mind upon improving the Maori Messenger -- proposes appointing a competent editor specially for the purpose -- says he would give £300 a year out of £7,000 to a man who would do the thing thoroughly -- Suggests offering bonuses to persons for good articles -- say £5.5.0 for a good article on any given subject not to be open to the public but offers made to safe individuals - Improvement at any cost to be effected - Sanderson tells me your house is progressing, I have not been to see it -- indeed for the past fortnight I have suffered so much from rheumatism and lameness that I have been scarcely able to move about at all -- To day for the first time I have ridden in 60 town without severe pain - Your little boy is looking well I met him with Mrs. Kingdon a few days since -- he seemedhappy and has grown much. The hostelry has been put into good repair, floored and divided into compartments -- I have recommended engaging a respectable native and his wife to take care of it -- proposing 12/s a week as wages with single ration and firewood -- also the providing a few items of furniture etc. You will not expect me to give you any news which is to found in the local papers as I suppose you see them - Friend Forsaith has not improved his public reputation as a man of consistent principle by the part he has recently taken in the direct purchase movement. Boylan you will see is jealous that Ahuriri should possess so large a share of the affections of Te Makarini - I think I told you in my last that the Governor was delighted with his trip to the south and miharo rawa ki te mana o Te Makarini. When is Te Makarini coming back. We must I suppose take it as a compliment that we can be left so long without getting into mischief -- Ahakoa shall be glad to have you here again. Adieu -- No time to write more now though no lack of matter Yours sincerely T. H. Smith The Banks peninsula land is not yet settled -- the proclamation will have to be very vague I cannot get hold of any boundaries from the reports published The Gov. has no power to delay the coming into operation of a proclamation but the difficulty is proposed to be surmounted by sending the Superintendent timely notice before hand -- informing him when land will he proclaimed. Shall be glad of any jottings for the 'Karere' Yours sincerely T.H.S.