New Plymouth 27 December 1858. My dear Sir, I have nothing particular to report by this mail beyond a statement from Tahana to the effect that the natives interested in the Block offered by Katatore are coming to Town tomorrow to arrange with Mr. Parris for that portion bounded inland by the river Waiongana. No doubt it would be very desirable to carry the line to the Wakangerengere but so long as any opposition exists, however anxious we may be to effect a decent purchase, it would be imprudent if not dangerous to urge the question, and I must say that Parris has done all in his power to prevent the possibility of trouble coming. amongst these peculiar people. My office (R. Brown's old house) is beset with natives full of complaints of puremu cases amongst themselves which will yet I fear bring serious trouble upon them. This coupled with drunkeness is the manner in which many of our Natives pass this season, and in place of improving they appear to me to go from bad to worse. I find some of these cases have been settled by payment, which will relieve this months diary of the necessity of troubling you with such nuisances. Mr. Whiteley and Parris are off to Mimi and intend to return tomorrow. Faithfully yours, H. Halse.