New Plymouth Feb. 18 1861. My dear Sir On returning from Waitara on Monday last I found the ''Travellers Bride'' was just leaving for Manukau when I wrote the herewith enclosed hurried Private but was to late for the Boat which had left before I got to the Beach, when I determined not to be disappointed again. On Saturday last a Steamer (supposed to be the ''Cordelia'') hove in sight South of the Sugar loaves. I immdeiately sent my letters to Post when to my great astonishment the Mail was sent off in a Boat with instructions for the Steamer (which proved to be the ''Fawn'') to proceed at once to Waitara. I then sent a Mounted Native off to Waitara with my letters to forward therefrom but from some cause or other my parcel of letters was not sent on board, although the Native arrived before the Steamer, but on the following day the parcel of letters was sent back to me by the Tasmanian Mail. Commodore Seymour left some time after my letters arrived at Waitara and had he been asked to take them on board I know he would have done so with pleasure. I can assure you I was most sorely disappointed on having my letters sent back to me from Waitara. Yours very truly R. Parris A.N.S.