Letter from P. Wilson, to Donald McLean, dated 11th. October 1852. New Plymouth. 11th. October 1852. My dear Mac., Your letter of the 20th. ult. came to hand last post; and we had, of course, heard through Pat, with what expedition you had made your journey. As, with you, the Gold mania is likely to thin our population; and if we escape with the loss of only a hundred of our male population, we shall be lucky. However, I do not regard it as a permanent loss; for those who escape death by disease, famine, the assasin's knife, and such other prevalent means of reaching the final goal at gold hunts, will return again; and likely bring others with them. Much of the stir here has, it seems, been caused by one of Perry the carpenter's sons; he having been over at Port Philip; and having sent here a very E1 Dorado account of the place. But of all people who have been maddened by the news, none has so much surprised me as Croker, the baker, and family; for they are all crazy about it, and are preparing to depart. Turton, to see to stay the spread of the epidemic, is to give a lecture tomorrow night; but I do not expect that it will have much influence; for, like others, it will run its course; and when it has made ruined fools, of health and wealth, of thousands; and benefitted, as all lotteries do, one in the thousand, it will cease; and then people will soberly return to common sense. It is a curious delusion altogether; and one which deserves no sympathy; for sheer greed of gold is the prompter; and health and happiness is thrown overboard. From the accounts in our last English papers, the new Ministry seem to be going on very well. Our Constitution I cannot say I like; in short, we have too much of it. Just fancy a little hole like this sitting down to legislate itself, with a Superintendent at £500 per annum. Why, the notion is allied to madness; unless you club in with us, Wanganui and Rangitikei, on the one hand; and a Mokau prospective population of thousands, on the other. We have quite Governor enough here, in our Resident Magistrate; and more would only exemplify the old saying,- "Too many cooks spoil the broth". We had a Ball last week; which went off very well. But a great attempt was made by de Male and his wife, to make it so very exclusive; that, in general opinion, better people than themselves would have been shut out. Of course the folly failed; but not before they had influenced one or two families; so that now, I apprehend, Balls will be at an end; and I am not sorry at it. He is so led by R. Brown; who, strangely enough, seems to be trying to make an aristocartical party here; that I have no doubt he will, as a Professional man, greatly hurt himself. "Quem Deus vult perdere prius dementat." And so I think of Dr. Mole; since he has put himself in such leading strings. Flight goes on quietly and well; and I believe, is giving satisfaction to all parties. I feel it now quite a comfortable affair to sit on the Bench; and you know it was not so before. Cooper and W, Halse have been at Mokau; there ten days; and I don't know that they have returned yet. Of course we know nothing of how things go on there. Our newspaper will, I think, prove a failure. Crumpton is getting tired of it; finding that he cannot control its letter-writing. If he gives it up it is done for. I mean henceforth to have nothing to do with it. I sent you round all our affair regarding Public Houses, and Mechanics' Institute,- nicely cut out, and pasted into a pamphlet with notes in it. I sent it by Govett, under cover to St. Hill, to whom I was writing on business at the time; so you can apply to him for it. Ritchie is going on perfectly, I believe, to Flight's satisfaction; and certainly to ours. He cares very little for the hauteur Madam De Mole attempted to treat him with; and it shall be my business to see that she has no opportunity again under my roof, of treating him with disrespect. Mrs. W. tells me she is going to write a note to your better half; which leaves me only to offer my own kindest regards; and believe me, my dear Mac., very faithfully yours, (Signed) P. Wilson. My dear Son, Thanks for your kind note. Short as it is, it is better than none. Pat writes us nice long letters. He is quite happy; but finds the young Campbells too noisy for him. The old dressing-gown is all right; and shall be sent by first good opportunity. I am glad to find Mrs. McLean found you improved on your return from Mt. Egmont. Don Pedro has written you all the news; so nothing is left for me to add but that I am, as ever, your affectionate old mother, (Signed) H.A. Wilson. To:- Donald McLean.