Taranaki, August 24th. 1854. My dear McLean, Though I have but little to write about, and though in all probability you will receive later letters by the steamer sooner than this, still I cannot let the overland mail go out without writing a few lines to say that up to the present time all is quiet here --- for slow and uncertain as the O.M. is, we have learned by experience that the steamer is not to be trusted, even when she shows herself in calm weather. As I have said, all continues quiet, though the Natives are still as excited as ever. The tapu continues to be kept up strictly, notwithstanding that W. King has been vapouring a good deal about it and threatening to break it open. Brown has sent a vessel to Waitera for their wheat and potatoes, which has given them an excuse for not carrying out their threats, so W. King brags mightily of the magnificent things he have done if the "Velox" had not gone down. The measles are just now very severe and almost universal amongst the Hua and Town Natives, and they are making themselves much worse by peach root decoction with which they will insist on poisoning themselves, fancying that it is good tongoa for the disease. The Mokau people have sent to say that they intend coming to tangi, but they mean nothing more than a peaceful uhunga. Some anxiety is felt as to the steps which Ngatihine may adopt though the natives do not appear to be much alarmed. They are very impatient to hear from Auckland, though I tell them all that I do not expect that any steps will be taken by Govt. in the matter. Some of the pakehas have been tampering with them and putting them up to the idea that as Rawiri was one of the Queen's people the Govt. are bound to take it up and as this chimes in with their own wishes they are only too ready to adopt it. The Hua land has been given out, and small as it is has given much satisfaction --- but I am sorry to say that what with the late excitement and the measles, the surveying of the rest of the land has been suspended. I hope however to get up a survey party as soon as they get better, though I am afraid we shall have to give 4/- a day, now the current rate of Maori wages. Having alluded to the uncertainty of the steamer I may here say that I think some notice should be taken of Mr. Martin's conduct on his last voyage northwards. He was plainly told by Watson that a fight had takenplace amongst the Natives, and yet he refused to wait for the mail to be sent on board, although it was perfectly calm and he could not have been detained more than two hours at most. I am astonished that Bell did not insist on his waiting, as he well knows the defenceless position of the settlement, and for anything either he or ap. Martin could tell, we might have all been on the eve of being exterminated. Surely if the Colony is to pay the vessel a bonus, some steps ought to be taken to ensure her efficiency as a mail packet --- at any rate we ought not to be at the mercy of a sulky boor of a skipper like Mr. Martin. I received your letter of 31st. July a week ago, as also one from Dr. Sinclair of the same date, and was very glad to find that my engagelment of Rogan had been sanctioned, and also that you had got him appointed a Commissionr. I am sure he will prove a most valuable officer. For your reiterated assurance of assistance to myself, I feel very grateful. I can only repeat what I said before --- that I trust I may have a chance of doing something to show my zeal, which has hitherto been all but completely barren. I have been thinking a good deal over my own prospects lately, especially with reference to a move from Taranaki. I think the rate of salary you mention for the Dist. Commrs. is a fair one, and I also think it quite fair that they should --- at present at least --- all receive an equal amount, in asmuch as their duties and responsibilities will be equal. But I think at the same time that those who have been longest in the service have a right to expect to be appointed to the more important Districts as well as to be at once placed on a level as to salary with those who are now for the first time entering the service. Johnson tells me that he is now in receipt of £300 a year, and a Native servant found him, and that his District extends from the Waitemata to the North Cape. Now I think that his claims have been fairly met; and I also think looking to my standing in the service and in this Dept. that I may not unreasonably hope to be at least as well placed. Were I offered my choice of a Dist. I should of course prefer Auckland, but as Kemp has already been stationed there at his own request, I put that idea aside at once. The district next in importance is Wellington (whatever its limits may be), and as I presume that your own duties will keep you chiefly at Headquarters, and that a District Comr. will have stationed in each District, I don't think I am asking too much (privately and between ourselves) to be sent there. There can be no doubt that a knowledge of Taranaki is a most useful qualification for the man who is stationed at Wellington, and if I have done nothing more since I have been here I have at least acquired that. I detest asking anything for myself, and though I have expressed a wish for removal hence and have also applied officially for an increase of salary, this is the first time I have asked (and now confidentially) for anything definite. I am unable to dictate terms to the Govt., but I leave myself with full confidence in your hands, feeling assured that you will not allow me to be placed in a worse position than those who are less dependent on the service for support. Carrington has placed in my hands forage accounts for the time he has been employed in the Hua survey. He says you promised to get him the allowance. At all events he deserves it, for he is miserably paid, and he certainly kept and used a horse the whole time, and could not have done the work without one. I send the accounts officially by this mail. mail. There is another official letter marked "Separate" and forwarded separately, containing copies of two Ngatiruanui letters which I thought might be useful in showing and enabling you if necessary to explain by incontrovertable evidence, the state of the land question. I must confess I did not obtain these copies in a very creditable way, for I got them by intercepting and opening the letters. I mention this to guard against your alluding to them in any way to the Natives. Having taken the copies, I reclosed and forwarded the originals as they contained no new matter and could not do any fresh mischief, whilst the stoppage of them might have aroused suspicion. I intend to serve all similar letters in the same way for some time, so as if possible to be forewarned of any mischief that may be brewing. I will now conclude this long letter, and with kind regards from my Mother and sister I remain Ever faithfully yours G. S. Cooper/ P.S. I heard a report today that the Natives intend, as soon as they are sufficiently recovered from the measles, to exhume Rawiri's body and take it to Ngapuketurua (at Waiongana). I don't believe it, but if true I suppose it will be done as a bait for Katatore and to tapu the land.