Wanganui 8th. January 1857. My dear Sir, Pirikawau leaves this tomorrow for you city. I have advised him to take this course that he may see about getting his arreas of pay now much required by him --- for you are already aware through the private letter I wrote you before going to Kaipara that he had had the misfortune to lose all he possessed by the capsising of a eanoe. I have furnished you by this Post with a report of my proceedings at the Kaipara and Pirikawau can give you any further information that you may wish to have on this subject. I must apologise to you for delaying so long answering your enquiry relative to the Interpreter. I gave you my reason for wishing to defer my reply to your letter until after my return from Kaipara; since that period, I have been so engaged with the Natives and their complaints, and so busy with my customs correspondence, accounts and returns that I have been unable to give my attention to other matters. I do my best and work hard to get through the itinerant duties I have undertaken, but I frequently have my doubts whether I shall succeed. Respecting Pirikawau, I have said in the official letter concerning him, all I could say conscientiously in his behalf. He is a good natured, and I think a well meaning young man, but he has much yet to learn before he becomes a good interpreter --- one great point in his favor is, that the Natives are very partial to him, and I have every reason to believe it would give them great satisfaction if he was permanently appointed here. They seem proud that one of their own race should be capable of interpreting and when they come to me they are not disposed to enter upon the matter that brings them until Pirikawau is present. Assuming that you see fit to recommend him for the Interpretership here, he ought not in my opinion to expect more than 5/- a day, that sum being sufficient remuneration for the services he can render. Respecting the Natives at Kaipara, I wish you could try with them the plan I have suggested in my official, viz., break of negotiations for the purchase of their lands until they paid their debts. They would feel this to the heart's core for in the whole world there are no greater worshippers of Mammon than the New Zealanders --- I was greatly disgusted with Manakau, the native residing at Kaipara Heads. Pirikawau will tell you all he (Manakau) said and did --- in nautical language it would be well if he was brought to his bearings by the Government. Arawa Karaka spoke very sensibly and with much dignity of manner. I felt an interest in him, that I could scarcely account for, upon so short an acquaintance. There were a good many natives present to hear the korero. Before leaving Kaipara, I got Pirikawau to write several letters in Maori to which I attached my signature as Kai whakawa and addressed them to those of Atkin's debtors we did not see, to the effect that if they did not pay in two months their property would be seized by the Government, and if they had no property their persons would be taken. Supposing this step eventually becomes necessary, can it be taken without sufficient force to ensure success? and it is better not to make the attempt than to fail. What could one man, or two men, Policemen do at a native settlement on such an errand? this is the question I have asked myself, and which I should much like you to give me your opinion on. You are Native Secretary then de facto now --- what has become of Mr. Fenton; is he out of office altogether; one would take him to be fond of change. Halse or his brother I have not heard from for a long time and I have myself to blame for it. Yet a visit to my old friends would give me more real pleasure than anything that could befall me. Remember me to Rogan and any other of my Taranaki friends that you may happen to see --- and Believe me, My dear Sir, Yours very truly, H.R. Aubrey. Pirikawau is indebted to one of my boatmen in the sum of £4-5-7, and to myself £4-19-6. Would you do me the kindness to receive these two sums from Pirikawau when he is paid and remit the total amount to me. H.R.A.