Matamata 24th Feb. 1869 My dear Sir, I have received your two last long letters and by some means or other owing to continual moving from place to place I have not been able to send you an acknowledgment of the firm and lasting friendship breathed throughout those two letters towards myself of which I have had satisfactory and ample proof long before we as it were divided, you to your broad estates in Hawkes Bay and I to my circumscribed and expensive small farm system in Kaipara - I am now writing in a small bed room at 6 O'C. in the morning crowded with sleepers and Firth himself asleep on the sofa - The cause of my being here is to ascertain the claims of the whole side of the country Waikato and N. Mani natives to the Aroha Mountain which is said to be full of Gold. There is an army of Interpreters and agents on one side and Gillies Drummond Hay and Preece are for Ngatihaua. There are 400 natives about and I dont like the look of half of them who are Hauhaus and ugly in expression of countenance. I wish I was clear back again out of this business - Your last letter came too late just as I was leaving Auckland otherwise I could now have sent you the required information regarding the rate at which the amount stated by you can be had. I shall however send you all the result of my inquiry the moment I reach Auckland and you may depend on me that no one shall be the wiser but ourselves. I am really obliged to you for the hint about too much farming that is my great mistake, but Kennedy borrowed money to carry on his operations. I make use of my own. When that runs out I bring up short. Have you heard of Poor Mr. Whiteleys murder was that not shocking you see these odd murders you so prophetically spoke of to me in our occasional evenings at St. George's Bay are cropping out in every corner of the land. I am, Yours very truly, J. Rogan