Napier May 27th. 1857. My dear McLean, My time has been so fully occupied since the arrival of the steamer that I have not had time to write any letters. I hear you are coming down on her return so that I feel easy as far as you are concerned at not having written. I just write a line now as the steamer is starting to say that matters look very bad between the Natives, and I am afraid things have gone too far now to avoid a row. You will hear all about it from myself and others when you arrive. Stafford tells me it never was intended to put Ligar here over my head!!(?) However whatever the intention was he has now promised to gazette me on his return to Auckland. I have given him the boundaries from Whareama to Te Oreore, thence to Tararua and Ruahine and so on to the boundary of Wellington Province, throwing Wairarapa and West Coast in to one district and 70 mile Bush and Hawke's Bay into the other. This, as regards the Natives as well as geographically is the only good boundary to divide the districts, and I have the authority of your last private letter to support me. John Curling is appointed R.M. and called to Legislative Council. Both very popular acts. The Napier Boys gave the visitors a dinner yesterday and there were lots of speeches. Of course they had me in for it and when I told them publicly that I was to remain here the news was received with tremendous cheers. They and Stafford are mutually pleased with each other, and everything has been done, designedly, to make his reception contrast as much as possible with that accorded to the 3 Fs. I wrote to you what I was going to do about Porangahau I have done it, but they would not agree to take the money, though Ngatipahoro were anxious for it. I could not wait, do left it there till I shld. return when if they are not agreed my intention was to take it on to Wellington. Now I shall do nothing till you come. I have no time to write any more. Many thanks for your kindness to my parents and sister on their departure. Believe me, Ever faithfully yours, G.S. Cooper.