New Plymouth Decr. 24, 1858 Dr. Sir When Mr. Stafford was here on his way to the South I had a conversation with him respecting the subject to explore the country from this place to Mokau and at his request I wrote the letter which he has taken and will no doubt hand to you. Halse has reported the death of your old friend Hone Ropiha which is a great-loss to us. I hope you will not appoint his successor to the "Assessorship" for a short time, for there are several questions on the verge of being settled which would be assisted by leaving the question open for a certain time. I fully expect to conclude the purchase of the block so far as the river in a week or so, that settled they then intend to go in for the other part. Karipa and Te Haeana have behaved exceedingly bad in the matter, finding they had no support with their own people, they actually went about a month since up into the Taranaki district so far as Warea under the pretence of a peace mission but in reality to get support to oppose any land sales, which the Taranaki people very properly refused to have any thing to do with, and discovered the treachery to the Puketapu Natives, at which their indignance was aroused to a pitch that has completely paralised both men. I got a party of 20 from the lower Taranaki's (Ngamahanga's) to come down and meet them face to face, and recommend them to discontinue their family feuds and forgive Karipa and Te Haeana for their hase attempt. They entirely succeeded in bringing them together and defeating the object of Karipa and Te Haena --- but as to their family feuds that I believe never will be done, for I believe the Puketapus to be a treacherous lot, which requires the patience of a Saint to bear with them. Halse is engaged in Court, he requested me to say that he had not time to write. I remain Dr. Sir Yours most respectfully Robert Parris.