New Plymouth November 28th,1857 My dear Sir, Mr.Richmond arrived yesterday from the South and will leave during the day for Auckland. He has gone to the Mangaraka with the Supt. and Mr.Parris. On Monday last 8 or 9 head of cattle were impounded in the Bell District Pound by Kaipakopako natives and 2/- per head claimed for damages. On Wednesday a party of 10 Mahoetahi natives, armed with guns and tomahawks, demanded the key of the Pound. They were told that the fees and damages claimed must be first paid before the cattle could be released, whereupon they lifted the gate off its hinges and drove the cattle away. I confine myself to a simple report of this case, no complaint having been made to me either by the natives or the Pound keeper. I intend however to see the Mahoetahi natives and recover the fees and damages in which I trust to succeed. The Superintendent sent Mr.A. Carrington yesterday to mark off the proposed new line of road leading through the land fenced in by the Katere natives. As was expected he was not allowed to do so and was sent back by Paki and about 14 other natives. The Hua natives profess to be displeased with this opposition as the proposed line is wanted for the new bridge in which they are interested. I understand the Taranaki natives are reviving their claim to a slip of back country in the Mangerei For this they received I believe £200 some years since and the claim is ingeniously advanced by those who accepted no part of the money - At present the report only comes from Mr.W. Carrington. I shall communicate further upon this subject when enabled to do so. I received the enclosed sketch from Mr. O. Carrington this mng. and forward it for your information. I should observe that Paki refuses to allow any deviation from the old line, although it is, in heavy weather, almost impassable. I remain, My dear Sir, Sincerely yours, H.Halse To:- McLean Esq.