Taranaki October 24th. 1852. My dear McLean, I was delighted to receive your long and kind letter of the 30th. ultimo, which I should have answered by last post, but that I happened to be at Mokau when it went out. I must now again trouble you with a long account of what is going on heie so that you may be in a position to make such remarks and explanations as Sir George Grey may require upon my official reports. Firstly with regard to Mokau and Awakino. I have sent on by this mail a long official letter which contains all the information I can give upon all material points. If you will refer to it in the Civil Secretary s office you will see that the blocks they offer are so small and such bad land that they are not worth having. Still I think that the failure of the purchase ms much to be regretted on account of the effects which success would have had upon the Natives in this neighbourhood, but I cannot help thinking that before long they will offer to extend their boundaries. You will see from my letter that they are actinguuder bad advice both from the Ngatitoa chiefs and from Mr. Hopkins who is really doing serious mischief by the way in which he talks to them, I was greatly annoyed at their refusing to let me go up the river, as I feel convinced that Ngataiia, who is acting under Hopkin's advice, objected to it from the fear that I should gain over old Taonui and his son Ngaturi who are said by him to be the chief opponents to the sale of land up the river. Just as I was quitting the place, Mr. Schnackenberg heard from Lewis (a European married to Paonui's daughter) who told him that Taonui said he would make no objection to the lands now offered, but that he would not allow any more to be sold until he received an answer to an offer which he made some time ago to you of his interest in the lands between Mokau and Waitara. Now with regard to this district, all the Natives, Peketahi, Weitini, Te Kaharoa, Tikaokao, etc. etc. said that they would not sell any part of it, especially that offered by the old women between Mokau and Mohakatino, so that I suspect from this that they have been disputing amongst themselves about this part and they fear that if I saw Taonui I might make sonie arrangement with him which would end in a purchase south of Mokau, which being done they knew he would then agree to the extension of the boundary to Manga harakeke. Of course this is only my own idea, to account for the extraordinary proceeding of stopping me, but I cannot help thinking that it will turn out to be as I suspect. I am very sorry on account of old Takerei, for it really will be a bitter disappointment to him. I think if you had on opportunity it would be well to suggest to the Governor to make him a present or what would perhaps be better to appoint him an assessor. He has behaved exceedingly well throughout, and would I believe do anything or give up anything for the sake of obtaining pakehas. He tried very hard to get the boundaries extended inland, both at Mokau and Awakino, but without effect. The line of Raniera's block inland of Waiwakaiho has been finished to Piki Pari near the base of Taranaki. The block turns out to be much less than I anticipated, being estimated at about 15000 acres, but I am afraidf there will be some difficulty as to the price, as they talk of insisting on payment at per acre - they have also got an idea of the extent of the block, which they could only have got from Carrington, in fact I am afraid he has been tampering with them. We had some talk about it the other day, and I offered £ 700 for the block, which was a high sam considering the price of the Omata purchase, but they insisted upon hearing the price per acre, saying that they would deduct all expenses of surveying and make an allowance for roads, schools, hospitals, etc etc. Sam Puketapu was the principal spokesman, and he said "Take the price the pakehas will give you for the land, and make your deductions for emigration and all the other things you speak of, and then let me know the balance that will remain for the Maories." The meeting consisted of Mr. Flight, Halse, and myself on one side, and Raniera, Sam, Hone Ropiha, Karira, Hone Wetere and Tahana on the other. We determined that the best plan would be to evade answering them at the time on the grounds that their proposal was new and required consideration, to which of course they agreed. I intend to draw up a paper for them to read in the hopes of arguing them out of their view. Poharana's conduct is a sad trouble to me. He is becoming quite unmanageable. He has made a descent upon two unfortunate fellows who came up from the south at his own invitation to cultivate land on the Moturoa reserve, and now because they joined Creed's party he has dug up their taro and potatoes and burnt them, and ploughed up their wheat. Not content with this, he came to town the other day (when the Puketapu were in) with his whole party armed with guns, having heard that payment was to be made for Raniera's block. I have commenced writing reports on both these subjects, but shall not be able to finish them in time for this mail - in fact the Natives are so troublesome that I can scarcely ever get a minute to write anything. A vessel is expected hourly and by her return these letters will go, but I think it as well to tell you of them now, so that you may be prepared to explain matters when the letters arrive. I am really ashamed to bother you with such long and troublesome letters, but you know what a difficult position I am in, and were it not for your kindness and the good feelings which exists between us, I do not know how I should get on at all. I depend upon you to explain everything Sir George may require to know, and I know you will do it in such a way as to keep me as clear as possible of blame in his eyes. The authorities in Auckland have been raising serious objections to our proceedings here in advancing sums to the Natives. I have written letters which I hope will have the effect of clearing up matters, but if not and if more explanations are called for, I will write officially to you, ostensibly to receive your explanations to add to mine, but in reality that you may have an opportunity of bringing the correspondence under the Governor's notice, as I feel convinced he will put an end to all difficulties with a stroke of his pen. It is very unfortunate that not one of the officers in Auckland has ever seen this place. I wish to goodness we were shifted into New Munster. I have not received the Native letters you mention having written. I forgot to say that I intend to evade the question of price for Waiwakaiho until I hear from you again, as you asked me to let you know beforehand. The Puketapu talk of taking Waiongan for Parata's death and want me to write to the Gov. about it. I will write officially next opportunity, with a private explanatory letter to you. Old Rawiri protests against this, as also against their urging for pay for the Mangoraka block. No Taranaki news worth mentioning. Halse desires kind regards. Mrs. H.H. had a daughter yesterday - turned out of my office in consequence. Ever faithfully yours, G. S. Cooper.