Auckland. April 15th, 1845. Dear McLean, Yours to April the 2nd have reached me and I was glad to learn that all was quiet in your district. Notwithstanding the ill news of Hekes conduct had reached you I do not think you can do better than pursue your own quiet course among the Natives by settling their little disputes among themselves and the Pakehas. Your report is very interesting and I am sure it will give the Governor pleasure to read it as it has done me. We are all peace about Auckland although there are great preparations for defence our Waikato friends behave very well also the Ngatipaoa and the Ngatimatua the disaffection is confined to Heke and his party every body else behave well - As you might expect we have many rumours and people at times get so excited that they scarcely know what they say, or do. I of course come in for no small portion of abuse but this is a matter which gives me no concern whatever I am only anxious to do my duty to both Natives and Pakeha's. I hope to serve them all in equity, but never in iniquity/ Your Accounts shall be carefully attended to and carried through the Treasury. I suppose this quarter you will be placed on the commuted allowance of £180 per annum instead of having any allowance for Natives the £180 will have to cover all your expenses except travelling expences which will be allowed as usual. Yours very sincerely, George Clarke.