Auckland 6th Feb/58 My dear Sir, I just received your letter of 26th ultimo and am glad to know you are making your fortune sooner even than I anticipated. I am much as tonished and disappointed that you have not received my two treatises, which in my humble opinion left nothing untold besides which they may be looked upon as rare specimens of diction and penmanship, although dashed off in great haste. In the first place I should say that Messrs. Fenton and Carleton have returned, the former eyes out, as usual on the King Question the latter, as you will percieve by The Cross 5th Feb. comes out with a long leading article aiming an unmistakable blow at you. The New Zealander takes up your cause this morning but as I have not read the production I cannot speak from personal knowledge. There is really no news that I am aware of to tell you beyond what I have already communicated, unless it may be that I have taken to wear a bell topper in your absence, but have not called on H. E. and I don't think I am now likely to do so. I am as you are already aware a fixture in the office for the time being and I suppose when you return which will be absolutely necessary when the assembly meet, that I shall have another spell, which let me tell you will most certainly end in my becoming a benedictine and dont be astonished if you see me finding a matrimonial diet before 12 mos here. Are you likely to meet with any thing in mourning about Wellington with a cool £8000 -- eh. You appear to chuckle over your greasy wool and decline a good offer, do you know that wool is fallen very much in price at home. Accept the 1/2 2 1/2 at once. You will be glad to hear that Smith and I get on well together, Smith told you all about D. Hay. Friend is back again and has been taught a lesson which has caused him to be much more attentive to his work. He says your accounts cannot be finally closed until you return. I wish they could be finally and forever got rid of. Heaphy is up from Coromandel, I had a memo, from him of the work done which I cannot find just now. Mercury Island is surveyed in to to, as he says, several small detached blocks are in course of survey around Cornmandel Harbour, which including Mercury I. amounts to about 8000 acres a very small show in my opinion. I have not quite brought Ngatiwhatua to book yet, and have heard no more of te Whiti. W. S. Graham is still here I saw him yesterday, (Sunday) looking very much affected by the illness of his child, and she died at 30.c. this morning. Parris was sent up some despatches, which I look upon as rigmarole Maori yarns without a single idea, at the same time he has done all that could be expected of him and deserves no censure. Smith is away from the office today and the only thing on the board regarding N. P. is a minute of Ss recommending that the Assessors should be written to, cautioning the Maoris not to carry their warfare within the limits of the European boundaries which appears to me right and proper but if they do what thent??. I think I told you about the Bay of Plenty 16 killed and wounded and heard privately that the scheming Waikato report made much of the King question, and Richmond's memo, thereon was something to the following effect. . You will receive this as private shispering for which I cannot be responsible as to the accuracy thereof. I have had no money yet from Taranaki what a rage Norris will be in for having sent him a lawyer letter. Give my kind remembrances to Cooper and your brother I owe Cooper a long letter but I do not like to pester him now he is so naar his marriage day. Yours invariably, J. Rogan Monday 8 Feb./58