Glenfern, Auckland Feb. 15th 1858 My dear McLean, I am really so much pressed for time that I hardly know how to manage to get a few lines written to you for to morrow's mail. Rogan is, however, writing and will, I hope, tell you all the news --- especially with respect to Taranaki. I shall send you a copy of the instructions sent to the R. M. at N. Plymouth. The Proclamation you will see in the Govt. Gazette. I also send you a dozen copies which have been struck off separately. We are sending out circulars to the R. M.'s requesting them to send in lists of Assessors who should receive annual salaries. Dickson has been transferred to the Col. Sec's office --- leaving us short handed --- Fountain has taken his place here but knowing nothing of Maori and being altogether a new hand is of little use. We have matter for two double numbers of the M. M. but owing to pressure of other work have not been able to get the first number for Feby. out yet --- it, with the second will be out nearly together and both will, I think, have to do double numbers. An acct. of H. E. visit to the North has extended itself beyond what I intended but will perhaps, prove interesting, and have a beneficial effect as showing the Southern tribes the state of feeling existing among those of the north towards the Govt. and the Europeans generally. Fenton is still in town. He has lately had a very decided snubbing for what he has done or neglected to do in reference to the Articles on Native Affairs which have recently appeared in the S. Cross. The Govr. tells me he has written you in reference to this matter. Fenton is greatly soured and vows to restrict himself in future to bare performance of his official duties. He has complained that he is not kept informed of matters connected with his own district --- not consulted or upheld by our department. For my own part I always, as a principle, refer to the R. M. of the district whenever a reference can be made with advantage. Today a large party of Waikato-runanga appointed assessors with Takerei at their head had an interview with the Governor the object of which was to obtain his recognition of them as 'kai whakahaere mo te iwi' and their appointment as assessors. Fenton had been requested by an official letter to be present and every opportunity was given him to take position as the great man but he seemed to hang back and "had nothing to do with it". I wished him as the Magistrate of the district to acknowledge or repudiate in the presence of the Govr. these embryo magistrates --- and assume his position of medium of communication --- by conveying to them in my presence the Governors views on these subjects --- He would not however come forward but play'd the part of an auditor and spectator instead. Tuesday, Feb. 16th. I have just received your note of the 10th. You will be glad to hear that Friend is now attending to his duties and getting up the accounts. Hay has returned to his district and has been called on for an explanation of his conduct. Johnson, I believe, made but a very short stay in town I found him here on my return from the Bay but he was off a few days afterwards. Fenton has just been here and tells me he is off to Waikato for 6 weeks --- intending to make a circuit and return just before the meeting of the Assembly. I am sorry to hear that you anticipate more trouble at Ahuriri but was quite prepared to hear this --- You appear to have managed admirably in getting the triumphing party to allow your old friend to retire at his leisure and carry all his property with him. What the result will be should the forbearance which they have exercised towards him, at your instance, give him time and opportunity to turn the tables against them is a consideration which might make any one but yourself somewhat uncomfortable --- but you are accustomed to responsibilities and I think you could not have acted more judiciously or for the good of all than you have done --- But I must "shut up" --- In haste --- United kind regards to yourself and Cooper --- Yours truly Thos. H. Smith