New Plymouth, April 25, 1859. My Dr. Sir, I send you a few lines privately to inform you that the peace movement is going on satisfactorily Mahau for the first time since the slaughter of Rawiri ma has been to the Kaipakopako for a week. Tomorrow he goes with Poharama for the first time to the same place and from thence to Waitara - clearing up the old Manahara occasioned by the death of Rawiri ma - that finished they go in for peace with Ihaia ma. I am keeping Te Teiras question in abeyance untill the result of this movement is known - but they are getting anxious and restless. Nothing has been done to enable me to employ Hemi and Paranihi about the Hostelry ground. when Mr. Richmond left Auckland he understood that instructions was to be sent me by the same mail. In accordance with your instructions I had arranged to subdivide the Puketotara reserve. I wrote to the Superintendent for a Surveyor, which he consented to supply. I then arranged with the Kawwau Natives today (Monday) to commence the work, but to their disappoingment, and my dismay, the work is negatived by Mr. Richmond on the grounds that the Natives should pay for the Survey by alienating part of the reserve to cover expense. I fancy the Superintendt. must have said something to him about the Genl. Govt. paying for the Survey - however upon this point I am not certain. To say the least of it, its a short sighted policy, for the actual subdivision is the surest way to the alienation, and removal of what the Provincial authorities term a nuisance. I am going to Paraninihi tomorrow with Mr. Blackett, Engineer, if we succeed in finding a path over the Cliffs. I am then ordered away to Mokau and Waikato to look for a road, so soon as Halse returns from Wanganui. Under the present state of things I think I ought not to be absent from the place long. Anonymous letters have been sent to Waikato purporting to hand over the land to Potatau, on investigation it proves to be Te Tahaa - Karipa is very wrath and declared at a meeting held at the Ninia Friday that as Te Tahana had given the Wairua of the land to Potatau he would now give the Tinana to the Governor. Tahana has done his utmost privately and publicly to hand the land over to the King Fanaticks but has signally failed. He considers his services as an assessor inadequately paid, but I would never submit to such unprincipled attempts and have not the slightest hesitation in recommending his suspension - if not dismissal - which I think would have a most salutary effect on the Natives. With kind respects, I remain Dr. Sir, Yours most respectfully, Robert Parris.