My dear McLean I hear that a letter from you was forwarded to me at the Bay of Islands and must have reached that place the day after I left it. The Port Master at Karororika is I suppose studying its contents for it has not many Scotch failures and stoppage of the Western bank of India. The Queen has stranded in the Red Sea --- Judge Arney is at Sydney --- Indian news favourable --- Parliament to meet in November --- The Iris is to leave for Melbourne on 1st. Feby. --- She would not take me to Napier --- I believe this is all the news --- I am anxious to get your letters --- Say in your next where I am to write. Yours sincerely G. B. (Gore-Browne) You will have heard of poor Judge Stephen's death. Jan. 30. 1858 My wife and brat send kind regards. been returned to me and I can hear nothing of it. In this country I believe it is always safest to write in duplicate if you have matter of importance. I rejoice very much to hear that you have made peace between Hapuku and his opponents. I am however well pleased that Ministers have applied for troops and agreed to pay the expense of accomodating them at Napier. I send 300 men at first as being safer than a smaller number but two companies only will be left at Napier when the barracks are completed. I should like to have visited Hawkes bay very much but the Frigate will not go there and and Ministers have advised that I should not go until all hostilities have ceased. it is not easy to say when I shall be able to go but I must beg you to make my excuses to the settlers and tell them it is not the will on my part which is wanting. My visit to the Bay was very gratifying throughout. The reception I met with every where was enthusiastic but more especially at Hokianga. The address from the natives of that place will be published: it is quite beautiful and was chiefly written by Abraham Torenui who is certainly the best native I have seen. Altogether the northern tribes are very superior to the others I have seen and their loyalty is undoubted. I was very sorry not to take part in the erection of the flag at Karororika but Smith and Clendon were very decided in advising me to the contrary and I felt that it would not be wise to commit myself to a party who might change their mind and thrown down the flag as quickly as they raised it. On our return we went into Coromandel, Preece informed the natives I was there and would see them next day at two P.M. Paul announced his intention of coming but at the instance of Davis's Brother sent some small man in his stead whom I declined to discourse with. Preece says Davis influence is unbounded and he has been buying land on his own account. Manning also writes that Davis's paper has had a very bad effect from the manner in which he reports Indian news. The Taranaki news is bad as you will have heard and Mitford says the natives of Kawhia are much influenced by Davis who is the main spring of the King movement. I hope the publication of the addresses from Hokianga and the Bay will have a good effect on other natives. The Mail came in last night bringing news of a commercial crisis in England. The suspension of the Bank charter and issue of one pound notes -