Taranaki, Septr.12th, 1852. My dear McLean, As the overland Mail goes out tomorrow I take advantage of it to let you know what has taken place since your departure here, as I think things look more like a bona fide sale this time than ever, though I have my doubts as to the usefulness of the land offered. I will begin at the beginning that you may know exactly how matters stand. As soon as Poharama heard of what had taken place in the morning of our departure, he was very angry and I believe abused Karira and his party in no measured terms for stealing his land. However they had endless meetings on the subject, and the result was that the moment I arrived back, Poharama came to me with W. Ropiha, Martin Tupiki, Wi Kawaho, Rawiri (of Kawau) and several others to protest against the proceedings which took place on the morning that we started. Po was very blustering and called for the Chart in an authoritative way and when I produced it, ordered me peremptorily to rub out the pencil boundary that you had marked at Araheke - this I coolly refused to do, at the same, time rolling up the map and putting it under my arm. He then said it was of no consequence my refusing to rub out the writing, as he would make short work by tearing up the map. Upon this I got very angry and dared him to touch it, telling him at the same time that I was ashamed to see a man in his high position etc. behaving in such a manner - I then left the office and went over to W. Halse's, where he followed me in about half an hour, apologising for his conduct and saying that as I had refused to rub out Araheke on my map, he had made up his mind to rub out all boundaries on the ground, and accordingly that the boundary going past Richardson's and Swarts sections should be wiped out and taken over to Cook's farm, from which it should run in to the mountain. I told him this was very well if the rest agreed; but I suspected that his offer arose only from spite, for which reason I gave him but little encouragement, though I took care to treat him very civilly. Next day a large assembly came in, headed by Raniera, Matiu, Martin Luther, John Hobbs, wi Tangutu, Sam Puketapu and several others including all the Kawau party. Po was also there with W. Kawaho, M. Tupoki, W. Ropiha and 3 or 4 others - not more than 8 or 10 in all, and they kept very much in the back ground, whilst the grass plot and verandah at Halse's were crowded. The speeches were all the same, taking the flagstaff at Waiwakaiho for a commencement and running inland to a place called Murumuru near the mountain, whence it went on to Piki pari immediately at the base of Taranaki and back thence to the Southern boundary of the Grey Block; thereby making the inland boundary of that Block, the seaward boundary of the new one. No one attempted to contradict this, the only thing Poharama's party said (he did not show himself though he was there) was that there should be no lines at all this side of the Hua, they also said Let Karira's payment for Araheke be moved to the other side of Waiwakaiho and then all will be right, but their voices were drowned by the other speakers, who one and all refused to listen to that proposition at last they came to saying that they must have their share of the payment, which was at once assented to - in fact they were on the whole treated with wonderful forbearance by all the natives present. Finding they could gain nothing they left the ground. The end of the affair was that I told the Natives that I was glad to see them offering land in this way and also that I was particularly pleased to see the affair so generally taken up. As to the price I could say nothing then about it, till I had seen the land (they asked £5 an acre). And I had to promise to go out with a party to cut a line on Tuesday next, so as to form some idea of the extent and nature of the land. As far as I can judge at present it must be about 50.000 or 60,000 acres - of course it is all bush, but the general report here is that it is very lightly timbered and contains a great deal of totara. I do not think they have a right to sell all they offer, as I feel certain that the Taranaki people must have some right to the land inland of Omata, and I expect a protest every day from Thos. Williams. But I look upon that as of little consequence, as it will be rather an advantage than otherwise to cut off a slice and on the other hand if the land is really valuable and the Taranaki people wish to join in the sale it may be an act of good policy to encourage them, so whichever way it goes I do not see any harm in a Taranaki opposition. As to Po's opposition I do not think much of that either, I fancy he is a good fellow in the main, and when his fit of sulks is over he will cause little or no trouble. His right is not questioned in the least by any body and he has been told many times both by myself and the other Natives that no one thinks of stealing his land, but that if a sale is effected he shall have a fair share of the payment. In the evening after the meeting he came to me with his party (16 in all) and wanted me to pay him at once for the land - He said "Let me see the money at once - I care not how much or how little it is, but let me have it night". This of course I refused, telling him I had not fixed upon any sum as yet, nor had I the money at hand at that time of day - but he might be sure of being remembered at the proper time. He was very cross and all I could say failed to put him in a good humour. He said "I know all you tell me already, I did not come here to be told that I am the friend of the whites - the Governor has told me that and I was quite aware beforehand that I had sold all my land at Ngamotu - what I came to you for was the money and I will not go away contented till I have the coppers in my hand". I replied "Well Po, I am sorry to see you in such a temper. I have told you two reasons for not giving you the money now, but even if I had it all ready for you, I would not give it to a man coming at night - my payments shall all be made in open day. I am not a shamed to meet an yone in the road now, but if I made payments for land in the dark I should be so, and justly too - besides, even if you came in daylight in that humour, I could not listen to you". The end of it was that he went away dissatisfied. Notwithstanding all this I do not think he will give any trouble, as he never has said the land shall not be sold, nor does he deny the right of the others, but his chief annoyance seems to be that he is not the head man in the business, which I believehe might have been if he had not let his temper get the better of him. With respect to this purchase, I do not think it can be of any immediate benefit to the settlement, still I think it should be encouraged, because it is making a break with Kaniera's party, and I think will be likely to lead to a farther sale in the direction of Cooke's farm. I think this offer has been brought about by many circumstances - the fact of our turning our attention to Mokau and Patea, and their fearing that purchases in those directions may tend to abate our anxiety for land hereabouts - our coolness about Mangoraka of late, and above all the great anxiety of the Mokau people (their acknowledged superiors in every respect) to effect a sale. All these things I think, added to the petty jealousies about Araheke which our absence left to work most opportunely, have been the causes which have led to this offer and I think myself that if there is any chance of obtaining the land on reasonable terms that it would be very wrong to refuse it. I have made no official report as yet, as I think it right to obtain further information as to the land and the terms it can be got for before I do so but I wish you would take an opportunity of explaining the circumstances to Sir G. Grey so as to prepare His Excellency for a report by next Mail. You can tell him all about it much better than I could were I to fill a ream of paper. I wish you would also write an answer to this letter and give me your opinion and advice upon any points that may strike you. I have consulted Halse and Mr.Flight and they agree with me on all points. On my way up the Coast I met several Natives at Manawapou, and amongst them a young chief called Wm.Tipene. They were very civil and kind, but very pakeke about land - they abused Karipa and said he had no business to offer their land - and that Ngatiruanui had made up their minds never to sell any land - whilst there were two men alive one would encourage the other in holding the soil. After they had gone, Matthew said quietly, "It is all bosh - they'II sell the land, only they are afraid of Hori Ngatairakaunui - their hearts want to sell but their lips refuse. Wait a little". I replied they might do as they liked - we did not care much about their land, only it made me very sad to see such fine land lying unproductive, and the wheat etc. all going to waste, and that in fact it was more for their own sakes that the Governor wanted land, so that Europeans might be amongst them to buy their produce and enrich them, and also that he might have funds to build hospitals and schools for them so that they might rise from their present state and be no longer considered, as they now are, the lowest tribe in all New Zealand. He said "it was very true and that he was sadly ashamed of his tribe but that for some time things must remain as they are". I used the same argument at Waiheke where I saw a good number of Natives (Sampson however kept behind) but they were very obstinate and impertinent, and said Ngatiruanui were bound by an oath never to sell any land and they never would till the end of the Chapter. Nothing else of any consequence occurred on our journey. We stopped Saty. night and Sunday at Heretoa, next night at the Umuroa and arrived here on Tuesday afternoon. Hare Purumera was still very bad, so I took his horse and sent him down a lotion the day after I arrived here - they are going to carry him up in a litter. On my return I received 2 officials addressed to you - one to say that the Govr. must have a report as to the size and extent of the land at Mokau and the price, before he could give any answer; and the other about the £300 asked for - that he must know how it is to be applied before it can be granted. I have kept these letters, as you can get copies in Wellington. I have heard from Rogan - little or no news - Natives very anxious for me to go up. Peketahi is here and I have promised to return with him when the fuss about Raniera's block is over - i.e. in about 10 days or so. Peketahi says he and Takerei have overcome all opposition and all they want is for me to come down and see the land and discuss a few points with the Natives on the spot. Everything is going on as usual here. No Auckland mail since you left. I hope you have had a pleasant journey. Believe me, Faithfully yours, G. S. Cooper.