Taranaki August 10th. 1854. My dear McLean, A few days ago your letter of 12 July reached me, and I was very glad to receive such full approval of my employment of Rogan. He is quite delighted himself and Ocky is looking forward to better times. These new disturbances however will I am sorry to say postpone work in the Hua Block, though I do not think it at all necessary to defer the giving out of the land on the 15th. as advertised. Your letter gave me, personally, great satisfaction, because it assures me both of continuing in this Dept., and of a speedy removal from Taranaki with which I daily grow more and more disgusted. I only want to hear of a respectable increase in my pay to be quite happy and contented. For all your kindness to me I do indeed feel grateful, and hope that when removed to a station where there is some chance of doing something, I may be able to show my gratitude in a better way than by mere words. I was very sorry to find that my brother had, after getting as far as Sydney on his way to join you, accepted another engagement. I suppose the fascinations of a Sydney life tempted him. I have written him a severe scolding for treating you so cavalierly after keeping the post so long open for him. I will get the list of leases you ask for ready against the next opportunity. I am excessively sorry to find that granting them has been opposed to your policy; but I fancied it was the reverse, from the example of W. Tako's property and others in Wellington, and also various cases sanctioned by yourself here. Only one lease has been of late here through me --- that of Sam Puketapu's land at Waiwakaiho to Bishop, for 5 years at £50 per annum. Two other cases have been settled and leases promised but not executed --- these will appear in the list. I do not believe any leases have been arranged without coming to me. I enclose a letter from Pitt's wife, te Pi, asking for a further payment on account of Wairarapa. Hiriona went down there in hopes of meeting you in May, but Epi wishes to have a payment made here. She bought a horse on the strength of it some time ago, and £30 are due of the purchaase money, whith will have to be paid in about a month. I am in rather a funk about it, as I foolishly guaranteed the payment of the money, which if not forthcoming I shall be in for, and truth to tell I have not the tin. Can you make any arrangement to meet the case? The Cashmere has brought us 65 passengers, and the Monarch is to follow with lots more. Amongst the passengers per Cashmere is a Mr. Hammerton, a Yorkshire gentleman with a large family and two steam mills, fro sawing and grinding corn. He has brought out 9 laborers at his own expense. No news here excepting the melancholy one in my letter accompanying this. All are well --- the measles have been very mild and no one has died from them. Scarcely any English people have suffered. Remember me kindly to Dr. Sinclair, and with kind regards from my mother and sister, Believe me my dear McLean Ever faithfully yours G. S. Cooper.