Taranaki Monday May 22nd. 1854 My dear McLean, I intended to have written you a long letter last night in continuation of the one which was so abruptly broken off by the steamer's sudden appearance and which you will probably receive from H. Halse, tomorrow. But in landing for the steamers I got capsized in the surf and that spoilt all my letter writing. Willy came to me the other day and asked for money, so I obtained an advance of £10-10-0 from Halse for him. I must report this per next mail. I received your letter per O.M. The order to report in detail on the land purchases will rather bother me especially as H.H. is gone - but I will get it up as well as I can. To show you on what good terms I am (outwards at least) with the Supt. I am going to him as soon as the mail is gone, to offer to take change of the Police pro tem. That will be rather a hot panful of coals for his head, I think. Halse will tell you of an accident which happened to a Maori through a skylarking trick of Wm. Bayly's son. It is now feared he will die and they talk of taking Tatara as utu. I am afraid we shall have some touble. The majority of the Patukai have, I hear, consented to sell land for Mohi's wife. They are soon to come in about it. I will report proceedings. Give my kind regards to Dr. Sinclair and say I have received his kind note. I had written an answer per return post, but missed sending all my letters (including the long report) and I threw my private ones into the fire in disgust. I will write to the Dr. at length next mail, and to Johnson as well. Believe me Faithfully yours, G.S. Cooper.