Taranaki 19th. May 1850. My dear McLean, I wrote to you in a great hurry by the "Shepherdess", of which Turner is skipper. Do you remember he once bolted from this place in a Scotch mist; which, except for the wetting, is considered a harmless thing. But if a man will do that, what may we not expect from him on a fine, calm, sunny day like this? You will say he is not to be depended upon. But realty the boat is ready for a start. Our local news since you left is no news at all. There was a difference between Wm. Bayly and some Puketapu natives, Parata among them, on a fern clearing here. They came to me, which was a point in their favour, and I duly referred them to the Interpreter, my brother, to improve his knowledge of Maori, and to rid myself of trouble. It was arranged in the Police Court on Saturday, but I do not know the particulars, Parata was here the other day on a begging cruize, - a blanket, which I promised if he would be good in return. On asking for something explicit, I referred to the Mangati land, but he tried to show that his connection with the Taranaki woman had divested him of Cheftainship; whereupon I gave him the blanket, which I think was not thrown away, as he seemed charmed to receive it. Newman is the accepted suitor of Miss Honeyfield. The day fixed is the 4th. of June. By way of investing him with the esquisite time for the occasion, he has removed from Derrymour to Wanepu, and will remain with me to the morning of his nuptials. I have got the Huia grant, but they make the land 70 instead of 75 acres, deducting the sum of One tangata. I have accepted it nevertheless. There is no particular news from Auckland. The Government Gazette, which I have not seen, has a long Hospital Report by Dr. Wilson. The materials for the Savings Bank are on board the Brig. I remain Yours sincerely (Signed) W. Halse. To:- Donald McLean Esq. etc., etc., etc., Wellington.