Whanganui Thursday 28 April 1859. My dear Sir, I received your letter of the 25th. yesterday afternoon, which was welcome to me and will be satisfactory to the good people here. I blieve you will get the Waitotara block indeed I think there is no doubt about it, but do make all haste up, The Whanganui natives appear determined and from what I can learn intend, at no distant period to sell right away to Patea. They say to the Ngatiruanui Natives, do what you please with your own land, but don't interfere with ours. This is in reference to the Ngatiruanuis having taken upon themselves to hand over the land as far south as Kai Iwi to the King. It is the King combination that stands in the way, and upon this the natives will quarrel either amongst themselves or with Govt. such at least is my conviction. As there are no maps of reference here, I am unable to name the contents of the Waitotara block, and therefore send the enclosed letter to throw a little light upon the subject. Parris writes me that he is ordered off to Waikato about the road so soon as I return to N. Plymouth. He further says that Tahana the Assessor is doing his utmost to induce the natives to hand over the land to Potatau, and that Karipa has, in consequence, declared that with the Ninia natives he will sell the Ia Moana to the Government. There is a letter for you from His Excellency to be delivered to you, it has therefore occurred to me that I had better wait here until I hear from you again - my horse is in Town and I am ready for a start, therefore trust I am not committing an error by waiting for the return mail. Faithfully yours, H. Halse. The Wonga Wonga leaves this day for Wellington but I have throught it better to send by the O. M. H. H.