New Plymouth 25th. May 1857. My dear McLean, On Thursday last Ihaia with his brother Tamati and Stockman came to my house to meet Mr. H. Halse and converse with him and myself on the present position of their affairs. Mr. Whiteley called in accidentally for the purpose. After dinner they kept up the conversation until evening. They appear very much disappointed and annoyed at not receiving a direct reply to their note containing an offer of the land for sale to the Government. Pride has a great deal to do with this inasmuch as they look on themselves as slighted whilst the notes of Native Chiefs in the North are answered by the Governor and such answers appear from time to time in the Maori Messenger. They still express their wish to act as friends to the Europeans and to be considered as the Queen's subjects. Katatori and Wm. King are playing this game; if any land on this side the Waingana is spoken of by any of the Natives as for sale the former approves it; if on the other side then the latter does so; and in this way, if their influence be alone studied an effectual bar is put to the further sale of land in this District. The fact however should not be lost sight of that their influence is on the wane whilst that of the other party is rising every day and is only kept back by the lack of Government countenance. It appears to me a matter of grave importance the consideration whether a blow should not now be struck (I mean a peaceable one) to the Anti Land Sale League. This might be done by so far encouraging the selling party as to enquire into their claims and offers. This would not only encourage them but decide the waverers of whom we have good reason to believe many exist amongst the enemy. Paris is in ill odour with the Natives and justly or unjustly a predjudice exists in their minds against him, Brown and other traders as being impartial and disinterested judges of the affairs of the natives. Could you possibly transfer your spirit and judgement or a correct impress of it to some other person; and he be empowered by the Government to negotiate and if needs be conclude purchases of land with the natives, I believe that such a blow would be given to the league that in a very short time it would cease to exist. Katatori has said that no more land shall be sold whilst he lives; but some of his followers do not think more highly of him for this threat. In fact they begin to see that it is more for the purpose of keeping up his position (the same remark equally applies to Wm. King) than to benefit his followers that he holds out against the sale of land. I understand that Ihaia is expecting 340 more Natives from the south who are ready to join him and Nicorema in their opposition to Katatori. The Ngatiruanuis have written a very guarded letter to Katatori and by no means appear so determined in their opposition as t formerly did. The article in the Maori Messenger referring to the Land question much pleased the Natives. They however very shrewdly say We have anticipated that letter and have sent to the Governor offering to sell our land. Why does he not reply to our letter? I write in a great hurry. Receive kind expressions of remembrance from each member of my family and believe me to be. Yours ever most truly, Josiah Flight. D. Mclean Esq.Auckland