Taranaki, 15th June /61. My Dear Sir, I have been here since Wednesday last and communicated with all the friendly Natives and explained the object of my visit - Owing to a race which was well attended by Natives from the Poutoko to Waitara and a Ngatimaru party who accompanied Te Korowhiti's son on a visit to the people at Waitara - I have been unable to commence operations I have of course seen Parris and discussed the bearings of the Waitara question with him, he believes there will be no chance of settling anything in the shape of a land question in the District until the minds of the people are at rest and I am afraid that will not be until they are six feet under ground. We are going off to the Waitara tomorrow by appointment, weather permitting to hold a meeting and Carrington who is stationed there was at Matarikoriko to see Hapurona who is ill, says there will not be a dozen of those who have been in arms against us who will come near me. If I find this to be the case it will be useless to remain if there is nothing to be done. However I shall give it a fair trial. Ihaia with whom I had a long conversation was pleased to know that the land was to be subdivided because he thinks it will cause another hakanga but he is under a mistake if he supposes that anything I may do will result in that. You will see by letters forwarded to you from Parris that W.King is active in opposition and indignant at the occupation by Ihaia of Puketakauere, or O Nuku Kaitara - I saw a Mokau Chief (Wetini) yesterday who had a tangi over me on account of Takerei, he says that the Watch word throughout all Waikato is 'No Neutrality' Matakatea has arrived at Bob's place with 26 people but he does not as yet comply with the Governor's terms, and the Ngatiruanui natives are more defiant than ever. I called at the survey office in reference to Hua Grants and Carrington and Halse who raised objections to issuing them on account of some of the allotments being a trifle short in the acreage and no road to some of the others, I succeeded after a long time in showing that there was no reason what ever why they should not be issued and as the survey was conducted to the satisfaction of the natives who never disputed an inch of the ground and never will provided the whole matter will be allowed to remain as arranged between the natives and myself - The road question is theirs the Natives and not ours and when I suggested that a clause should be inserted on the grant subject to a right of road, Halse said that they should all be issue. Ill say no more on this matter, because I feel satisfied that no one in Taranaki at the time could have performed that duty but myself, and it is something to say that no dispute has ever arisen amongst the natives regarding any one allotment. But you know what Taranaki is and I beg you will soon find some other occupation for me besides shuffling about in a place where I feel that I am throwing away my time uselessly I find that many of the staunch advocates for Taranaki are at last giving way and are becoming anxious to leave at the 11th hour when they see that everything is crumbling to decay. The state of the place is becoming desperate. There is no preparation whatever going on now within the lines of protection for any cultivation, and I am told the friendly Natives are doing nothing expecting war every day. Good spoke to me about a conversation he had with you he is very anxious to leave the place, all the Natives speak highly of his treatment to them during the war. He would be glad to accept a post as Magistrate such as you at the North will require at Manurangi or in some other place. Hoping to hear from you soon I am, Faithfully yours, J. Rogan.