Letter from P. Wilson dated 28th. June 1854. New Plymouth 28th. June 1854. My dear Sir, Your post came in on Monday or Sunday last, brinbing us notice of the sailing of the "Gazelle" from you to this port; but hitherto there is no appearance of her approach, which gives us some uneasiness, as we presume she has a mail; and as your old worthy sub., H. Halse, is said to be on board. We have had desperately squally unsettled weather for I may almost say these last two months; and our roads, thanks to the popularity-hunting timidity of our Council who durst not propose a tax of any sort, are some fifty times worse than you ever saw them. The worthy Patriarch of the Hursthouses died last week. We have had many more deaths this year than in any former; and somewhat fewer, I think, among the indigines; but if the measles come, as some anticipate, no doubt they will suffer severely, and thus keep their station in our mortuary statistics. Is it not very singular that we should be so hampered here, as not to be able to get paper for the small sum of a hundred pounds? Your Bank of Issue, in so far as regards us, is a nullity, for its notes are very rarely seen; and never from the first, have been otherwise. Yet in Wellington and Auckland, they are common enough. Be assured, my dear Mac, it was full time we had a Constitution when it was given to us, if it were only to correct the imbecile one-sideness of our men under authority. I have at present a pressing desire to remit a hundred pounds to England, --- in fact, to take the place of a like sum remitted some 15 months ago, by a Bill bought from one of the saints of Canterbury, which has been returned, --- yet though I could not obtain an order for the amount, or and or one pounders, of the Bank of Issue were all that establishment in the place. The old Union Bank had its paper flying about always in convenient quantities; and why Government should have interferred with it is the wonder, unless to make the display of the dog in the manger. I am promised, however, that, before next post, an order for the amount, may be forthcoming. In the meantime please to recommend to the General Assembly of Legislators either to knock the Bank of Issue on the head, and habilitate some other Bank, or cause the said to have a branch in settlement. But such noodlery as is now practised cannot longer be submitted to. Under the faith, then, of obtaining the said paper by next post, you will be so good, as I shall address it direct to the Union Bank of Australia, at Auckland, with a letter to Ritchie's father, advising and requesting it to send to him the first of a Bill on London, for the amount, --- as to pay to the Bank any premium that may be charged, when on your letting me know how much I shall remit to you. I write this in a great hurry to avail of Ritchie going to town, as I have no desire to wade through our sloughs, nor even to dirty Maggie's legs We are all well. Miss Wicksteed is, at this writing, my vis-a-vis swinging herself to and fro from the Yankee chair quite comfortably. Old Johnny, her brother, has become a tea-totaller, --- rather late in the day, but better late than never. I remain, my dear Mac, Yours very faithfully (Signed)> P. Wilson. To:- Donald McLean.