Taranaki, Nov. 25, 1854. My dear Sir, Nothing of moment has occurred here since I received your note from the steamer --- indeed the August slaughter seems to be dying out, seeing that the contending parties are alternately amusing themselves by exchanging shots at long ranges and meeting for the purpose of divulging their hostile intentions on the following morning --- however during the last few days their proceedings wore an appearance of reality for on two occasions they met in close quarters when each waited for the other to fire --- in other words 'hit me first and I will hit you' was the mutual cry and each party retired --- Judging from this childs play it would appear that peace is likely to be made which would make Katatore a greater man than ever in the estimation of the Natives --- in the mean time all our Natives continue unsettled, always armed and on the alert, seldom in Town and refuse work even in their own districts greatly to the delay of the surveys --- The opinions of natives themselves about the sequel of the present state of things are various --- some say that the loss of one life would settle the business, others say that many lives must be forfeited before the injured party will be satisfied others again declare that too long a time has been allowed to pass for active operations --- I have also heard it remarked that the tikanga will rest with Arama Karaka who is reputed on his way here. Wi Raupunga alias Ropata, the man that was wounded on the 31st of October is in a bad state and will probably never recover --- he belongs to W. Kingi of Waitara and may give a turn to the cause he advocated. The Superintendent wishes me to say that he would be glad to open Currie St. and Gill St. through the Kawau Pa in order to get to the beach; if you see no objection to it, he will offer the Natives two sections adjoining the pa as compensation giving them time to remove their horses off Gill Street. I expect to be off to Auckland when the steamer returns to give evidence in the murder of the late Mary Rogeri Hoping you found your little boy well, I remain, Faithfully yours, H. Halse.