Ahuriri Feby. 11th 1857 My dear McLean, Many thanks for your note by the "St. Kilda", which proves to me that I was right in persisting in my refusal of the office of R. M. on the terms offered by the Ministry. I find that the people here are bitterly disappointed at the result of the affair, although no one but Alexander has (as far as I know) blamed me for the part I took. But they all seem so greatly annoyed that I am induced to write to you confidentially (and without mentioning it to any one here) to say that if the Ministry are still in the same mind as when I was last honored with an interview, I will accept the office upon the following distinctly understood terms, vizt --- That my present salary is to remain unaltered, as District Commissioner. That I accept the £50 extra as R. M. on condition that the Ministry undertake to propose a vote of £100 next session, and use all their influence to carry it through the House, and That failing the passing of this vote, I shall not be considered as having broken faith with the Govt. if I at once resign the Resident Magistrate ship, and that such resignation does not prejudice me in my permanent position as Dist. N. L. Commissr. in this District. For I cannot afford to hold an office my tenure of which would have the effect of leaving me at the end of a year a poorer man than I was at its commencement, which the Resident Magistrateship would certainly render me, were I to accept it permanently at less than £100 a year. I ask no remuneration for the responsibility and worry attached to the office, all I want is to have any additional expenses reimbursed. The want of a R. M. is severely felt here, most of all by the non official magistrates. As the Bench is at present constituted no case in which a Maori is concerned can be brought before them, and grave doubts are entertained as to whether civil cases, even amongst Europeans, can legally be dealt with. Besides this inconvenience to which all are subjected, the want of a R. M. presses especially hard upon the unpaid Magistracy, who are compelled to attend here on Court days at great personal inconvenience and expense for which they receive no sort of emolument. These are the reasons which have induced me to reconsider my determination, and to place it in your power to notify --- if you see no objections that I have overlooked --- my willingness to accept the office on the terms above stated. Believe me ever faithfully your's G. S. Cooper