Auckland 29th March, 1859 My Dear Sir, On Saturday morning after my return from Kaipara with a Deed for the Kaukapakapa block (opposite to the land already purchased which includes Honey's land) I received your letter from Taranaki dated 8 Inst. and the Steamer brought yours of the 25th which I was glad to receive as a letter enlivens one these very dull times. Soon after my last letter was posted to you our mutual friend Smith and I had a very heavy breeze indeed, on account of some papers of mine in connexion with land purchase having gone out of the office without his signet THS being attached, he spoke to me in a manner which at first completely took me aback and offended the small amount of dignity which of late years at least remains with your humble servant and I think you will admit from your knowledge of me that there is not much left. You know the snubbing way he has of turning round at his brother in law but that sort of thing would not do for me. However not to bother you we overcame that after a day or so and have been going on as before and it is unlikely that anything of the kind will ever occur again. I have been out to Onehunga to see the Missus and all that, but have been out of the office as much as three times since you left. At the same time anything I can do in the office while I am there of course is done. But indeed I never saw such a dull state of things as has been since your departure for the South there is literally nothing doing in any of the offices and from the Superintendent downwards everyone seems bent on leave of absence - However I must give Smith credit for grinding away most assiduously and keeping down the letters to a very low pile. Smith and I have been catechised at great length by Sewell on the question of land purchases. He (Sewell) says we are frittering away the 500,000 without much result and a more comprehensive system should be adopted, such as buying large tracts in one block, for forming large settlements which is all very well if it can be done, but 'there's the rub' - all he got from me was not very encouraging to the developement of his scheme which I fancy is based on some idea of the Bishops who is under some delusion that he can purchase all N. Z. at once. His Lordship once said he could rule all the country with a birch broom but experience proved afterwards that a great many tower musquets could not entirely effect that desirable object. I have heard nothing more on the subject of purchases of late. I have not seen any of the Newspaper reports connected with H. E's visit to New P. but am told that a resolution was arrived at by some of the Taranaki sages asking the Governor to allow you to remain at N. P. for the purpose of facilitating the purchase of land in that neighbourhood. I consider this is a great mark of the confidence the people have in your ability to deal with that question and in my opinion adds another laurel to your brow which extends beyond the limits of the mountain. The direct purchase move has gained no ground at all in fact the New Zealander with Pollen at its head has completely got the better of the 'Cross' as far as I am a judge. That scurrilous paper the 'Examiner' has been, amusing the people by attacking Fenton and roundly accusing him of setting the Waikato natives by the ears and your friend Johnson of Whaingaroa who by the way was married today to Miss Speedy has been tickling him in one or two letters which was very annoying to the A.N. officer. The Supt. is back and Friend is in the office again looking well but awfully disfigured by the sun. Jack the Giant Killer is back again from Whangarei perfectly disgusted with that hole and he is talking of going to Moreton Bay to winter the fellow looks well but is constantly croaking about his complaints - I paid Tidmarsh's lawyer the £1 and got him to cancel the lease later paid 10s for hire of gig to Jenners and no other demands have been made upon made upon me on your account except 5s for a dog collar by Jenner which I have as yet repudiated but I suppose it's all right. The transfer of Insurance is made as I mentioned before. I had letters from New Plymouth today all most unsatisfactory in the highest degree but I am accustomed to this and can bearit patiently. We had another batch of Immigrants in and are daily expecting the Lochnagar with more they go to the L. office and get their orders and retire goodness knows where but not on to their land I suppose they will be found in the southern regions before long. The Pukekohe people are at last settling down on one of Johnson's new purchases at Whangarei and giving great dissatisfaction to some who werepromised the land previously but that is their business and amongst them be it. I have only one more block of land to pay for now in Kaipara excepting Oruawharo which is in dispute and all things considered I am not dissatisfied with what I have done for my money up to the present time - I wish to goodness you were back again I am frightfully lonely when I come to Auckland as I have no one to change a single idea with when you are away - You may recollect my mentioning to you that one ofTl's women was taken away by one of his own party to the Bay. Parore and he went to the Bay with 700 strong, what do you think of that, there was a row but it is all settled now as there is a letter from Glendon to that effect I am unable now to give you the particulars I cannot think of anything more to say and will conclude by wishing you safe back soon And Remain Yours sincerely J. Rogan