New Plymouth, 20th May, 1854. My dear Sir, Mr.Cooper tells me he has written to you fully on the unfortunate occurrence that has taken place at Katatore's Pah; and that he has expressed in his letter to you the strong conviction he has on his mind that a solemn judicial enquiry should be made here by a sitting of the Supreme Court to try the case in this Province. The progress that has already been made in bringing the Natives to submit to our laws, should lead us in a case like the present to spare neither expence or trouble to further enlighten them in the principles of English law especially where the protection of life is involved. I trust therefore that the officer Administering the Government will direct one of the Judges to hold a sitting of the Supreme Court at as an early a period as possible for the trial of the prisoner. The difficulty of making the Natives understand the grades of guilt where death has been caused by the hand of one against another would I believe be somewhat overcome by such a trial taking place here rather than elsewhere, whilst they would have a most convincing proof placed before them of