Mar. 8th. 1858. Dear McLean, We are beginning to think of you as preparing for return to Auckland as I presume you will wish to be here a little before the meeting of the Assembly. There is little to tell you and that little Rogan has no doubt already told. You will be glad to hear that the Pakiri block is settled. After two or three days of discussion and manoeuvring to raise price etc. the money (£800) was paid in one sum to Kiri who marched off with it in high glee. Not however before we had secured the signatures of Makoare, Henara, Hori Te More, Arama Karaka, Paikea and others to a deed conveying the land to Her Gracious Majesty. Rogan has also brought his negotiations for the Ikaranganui and Matakohe blocks to a successful termination and has handed over the sums of £500 and £2,000, respectively in consideration for these blocks. The ''Laws'' are not yet out of hand I had to give two days to the revision of the 'Introduction', going thro' the re-translation into English with Whitaker. Fenton has gone off to the Waikato leaving the whole upon me -correction of the press etc. etc. His Excellency is most impatient to get the book out before the end of the month but I doubt if the printers will be able to do it. I write to you in Wellington assuming you to be there as a matter of course. There are a few letters which I hope to refer to you by this opportunity. One a long explanatory essay from Tamihana of Otaki in reference to the occurrence which took place there in connection with a proposed marriage and which resulted in Mr. St. Hills declining to visit Otaki again, at least, until certain conditions should be complied with. We are going on smoothly in the office but I shall be most glad to see you here again, there are many points requiring your consideration. There is a talk of a great meeting likely to take place at the junction of the Waikato and Waipa but the time is uncertain. Some judicious person is wanted to attend it on behalf of the Government. Purchas thinks that, if well managed, this meeting might be turned to good and result in the handing over the house built for the ''King'' to the Govt. as a Court House. He says however that as a medium of communication with that party Fenton would be worse than useless, that he has so completely made himself a party man that the tribes who have been connected with the King movement would not listen to him for a moment. Tioriori has been down here and has received every sttention he has got a loan to help him complete his mill and one of £15 to purchase a small flock of sheep which he purposes trying to keep at Maungatautari. Archdn. Brown who was here a short time since told me that he had conversed with Wm. Thompson of Matamata on the subject of the Maori King - and found that he had quice given it up - having come to the conclusion that the thing could not be carried out. There is to be a meeting at ''Puketapapa'' (I think) in a few days, to ''kohikohi moui'' for a public fund, so Purchas has been informed. Since writing the above I have received yours of the 22nd. Feb. which leaves me in some doubt as to your present whereabouts. I shall however send to Wellington as I suppose if you go there at all you must be there before the mail reaches. I post a letter addressed to you from Col. Wynyard. The question of altering the civil list and appropriating to other purposes the £7,000 at present given to the-schools is likely to be decided by leaving matters as they were. The Ministry are determined to keep what they have and to make H.E. come to them for every penny required by him. Chief Justice Arney has arrived. Almost his first act was to sentence an unhappy fellow creature to the extreme penalty of the law - he was much afflicted. Dr. Sicnlair has not yet returned. We are keeping Rogan here, until your return. He is then to go to Puke kohe - so say Ministers. Friend tells me he has his accounts well up and is ready to produce what the Assembly are likely to call for. In the midst of the usual whirl and buzz and called at least a dozen ways at once - Believe me Very sincerely yours, Thos. H. Smith. P.S. Please give my respects to Mr. Strong. T.H.S. The expenditure of the £5,000 you ask for will be forwarded by this day's post.