Ngamotu 14th. September 1850. Dear Sir, The only case during the last fortnight, and still pending is W. Cowling's, in dispute with a party of Puketapu natives, about work. Some six months since, he came to me, and was not disposed to have an agreement drawn in Maori, or any other assistance from a third party. Now that he is in a difficulty, entirely brought about by his own folly, he comes to me to extricate him. On enquiry, the natives seem to have right on their side, which does not exactly please Cowling; and from Tamati Waka's statement, all I have done, is, by Cowling, treated with contempt. I intend to lay the case before Captain King on Monday next? when I hope it will come formally before his Court. Unluckily many natives avoid going into Court, on account of fees which go to the Crown, and it is more than I can do to make them understand that custom. If a native is injured, he cannot, or will not understand why the Queen should receive a portion of the payment, and until he is further advanced in civilisation, the objection will likely continue. Your excellent letter to Rawiri Wairoa on the death of his child affected him and others very much; and from the general interest taken in the receipt of letters, I cannot but think: that considerable good might be effected if the system were continued. I parted with Mr. Richardson yesterday; and had he dropped anchor earlier, his peculiarities would have obliged me to have done so before. Indeed he is quite a misanthrope. Howver, as a settler, he is valuable, inasmuch as he spends plenty of money. E. Davy's farm, implements, and stock own him master, for the consideration of £1525; out of which £165 are to be deducted for the old Barracks, now the property of E. Davy. What a change, and how injudicious for a young man, already with an increase to his family, to part with his birthright! With the advance of the season, the garden begins to look well; but I think I can discover in Mr. Halse a tenacious attachment to the little cottage, which is looking well, and ready for some aspirants to the matrimonal estate. Rumours here, as usual, persist, and your name is not allowed to escape. Neither can I see any chance for you until you become plural. I have made the following extracts for you, as a "Wandering Bushman," and hope they will be acceptable:- "The Fancy Dress Ball of Lieutenant-Colonel and Mrs. Wynyard, which took place at their residence on Tuesday evening, and which had been anticipated as a feature in the gaieties of New Zealand, far surpassed the expectations, even of the most sanguine. It was brilliant to a degree. Although the guests fell far short in number of the invitations issued; yet those who did attend, evinced neither poverty of indention, nor lukewarmness in their industry, to do honour to an entertainment as novel as it was pleasing. If the great difficulty of procuring the material for equipment discouraged some, it appeared to have only the more excited perseverance in others, and familiar as we have been with Balls, in every quarter of the Globe, whether as Balls of the usual order, Fancy Balls, or Bals Masque, we can confidently aver that, as a whole, we have never been present at one of a better or more attractive description than this, the First Fancy Ball given in New Zealand." (from "Southern Cross" July 19th. 1850.) "It will be matter of little surprise to our readers to learn that Heke - "The Lion of the North" the fierce uncompromising opponent of British, supremacy, is no more." The death of Heke took place at Tautoroa, on the 6th. of the present month. He had been declining, although little beyond 40 years of age. The death of such a man must naturally be regarded as an event amongst any people. With his own, the sensation it has created, will no doubt be intense; for, although far from being an influential Chief by birth, yet his energy and activity in the field, and his alliance by marriage, with the daughter of Hongi, the Napoleon of New Zealand, had made him a man of no ordinary mark. Pomare, the crafty, scheming Pomare, has also departed this life. His decease took place about a month since. The precise date we have not yet been able to learn, nor who succeeds to the leading of his tribe." (from "Southern Cross" August 20th. 1850) "The freight ship "Lord William Bentnick" embarked 1. Sergeant, 2 Corporals, and 25 Privates, of the Royal Sappers and Miners, from the headquarters Woolwich on Saturday last (23rd. March) under the charge of Lieut. Chesney, Royal Engineers; and left the same afternoon for New Zealand. Four gunners of the Royal Artillery embarked at the same time for the same destination, to fill up the detachment of Artillery at that Station." (from "The Times" March 26th. 1850) More next time, if the above should prove entertaining. Very faithfully yours, (Signed) H. Halse. P.S. W. Fenning is still absent. No opportunity has yet offered to send seed potatoes to Mokau. (Signed) H.H. To:- D. McLean Esq.