Wellington 10th January 1862 Sir It is my duty to lay before you such explanations as lie in my power in answer to the charge brought against me in a letter dated 9th October 1861 from His Honor the Superintendent of Wellington to the Honble the Colonial Secretary taken from ''Minutes of an Interview between his Honor and certain Natives on the 26th of September 1861. I beg to acknowledge receipt of a Copy of Minutes of evidence taken at Takapuahia on the 3rd instant before yourself and W. Fitzherbert Esqre when a further inquiry was made into the truth of the Statements made on the 26th Septr. 1861. On this occasion the whole of the leading Chiefs of the Ngatitoa Tribe were present including ''Nopera'' ''Tungia'' ''Matiu'' ''Hohepa'' ''Wi Kanae'' ''Te Waka'' ''Hora Papera'' ''Wi Parata'' ''Rawiri Waitere'' ''Anaru te Hoakai'' ''Raniera'' and twenty three others; and I beg to call your attention to the contrast between the Natives present at the different meetings also to the nature of the evidence given before His Honor on the 26th of Sept. which Wiremu Parata the Spokesman on the occasion by his own admission allows to be wholly secondary or hearsay evidence. The Statement referred to by Wi Parata was made by me to Rawiri Puaha in the presence of witnesses and was to this effect in answer to a remark of his ''do not use any harsh measures to the white man, if he is on your land, it must be owing to a mistake which must be properly enquired into and rectified.'' In tendering this advice to the Natives I considered that I was recommendeng the best course for adoption by them pending the survey of the Reserve and the adjacent sections which I took the only means in my power to have done by mentioning the dispute in the Pro. Govt. Survey Office and in consequence of which a Surveyor was subsequently sent out. In corroboration of the above statement of the words made use of by me to Rawiri, I beg to call your attention to the evidence given by Anaru te Hoakai in answer to questions put to him at my suggestion by the joint permission of yourself and Mr. Fitzherbert. I heard Mr. Searancke say it is very well that he (Stephens) should occupy the land in the meantime, there is a European who will inquire into and settle it.'' I have the honor to be Sir, Your most obedient servant, William N. Searancke D. C.