Taranaki Jany. 3, 1846 Sunday night My Dear Sir Mr. Halse spoke to me after church this morning and told me that a messenger was going off to you tomorrow morning - and that a Policeman should call here tonight for any letters. You know how my Sunday is fully occupied, so will see that I have only a little time to write now after my Sunday evening supper. But I will write what I can. The grand concert is over - It was a very good affair - too much singing - too long - but in other respects very good. No end of ''fashion and beauty of Taranaki'' - all in full dress. The Mt. Elliott party in full splendour - viz. - The Creaghs Hursthouses and Standishes. Davis had put up an outside room towards the River - holding a great many - The inner room quite full altogether about 95 besides the singers. It was over at 11 1/2 finishing with The Taranaki Song in full style and God Save the Queen. So ended the long talked of concert. Then on Friday was a huge picnic to the Waitara - Webster, Newlands, Blackie Smiths etc. etc. Messrs. R. Brown Aubry, Cooke and Mantell - In going in Mr. Cookes new waggon up the ford hill it was upset rolled back into the water giving Mr. Aubry and R. Brown an unexpected bathe, and added water to their ware and provisions. In other respects it went off very well, tho it blew so hard that the boat is left there. 4 carts went. 40 in all. (Medland is just come up for the letters, so I must be very short) So you see the Christmas festivities have been going on here - tho you have been away - it shows that we can keep mery without you, does it not? Mr. Henry came infrom Mokau, I don't know whether he is gone. Candish is going to Auckland in about 10 days If you write you may be in time. We are in the dark about the Govr. no news at all. If you get any from Poneke you ought to send word on to benighted individuals. I send a letter to Mr. Cotton - as I fancy you may have regular communications - Tho I don't know how you could with old Rangi between you and Porirua. We want to see Mr. Cotton up here very much. I wish Mr. T. could exchange with him any how. Oh. If Mr. Taylor says anything about Laura coming here - will you say it will now be too late I fear, as after March we could not receive her - till then we could, but not after. I hear there is a talk of Rawiri leaving Waiea - . His conduct has utterly sunk him in my esteem - that I shd. be glad to see him hop away to any other twig - there to stay till he got tired of it. I am sorry to have so poor an opinion of him: but it is his fault. I had no prejudice against him - it was in his favour. I wish I knew when the Govr. was coming - I want to go to Taranaki so bad. The rain today will do not end of good - and bring on the potatoes famously. It is most seasonable and we ought to be very thankful. Mr. Webster seems cheery - He was at the pic-nic. Now good bye. Mrs. Bollard and my sister send kind remembrances - and to Mr. Taylor and Basil. Ever yours faithfully W. Bollard Tell Basil Mr. Nairn had on his red ribbed at the Concert. I will not forget the lilac for him. The plan for the Nat. Hospital are very pretty - old English style - very high roof, and window like the new part of Parsonage - only in wood. I have yet got no land for my school. Donald Maclean Esqre. Inspector of Police Whanganui.