Wellington Oct.10th 1859 My dear Sir, Since writing you in acknowledgement of your official letter of 27th August last, I have received from the Asst.Nat.Secretary a communication under date 27th ulto. a copy of which I enclose herewith. The terms of this letter my mind on the point for a further elucidation of which I was induced to withhold my official reply of 6th ultimo till hearing further from you. To prevent, therefore, any unnecessary delay I have done myself the honor to accept the Appt. (as p.letter, 6th Sept.) without waiting to hear from you on the subject. While thanking you for your kindness, I would beg to say that I am ready to enter at once upon the additional duties to which your letter refers, for until then (as it appears from Mr.Smith's letter ) my salary will continue as heretofore. I am glad to inform you that the natives are now very quiet. The recent excitement has quite disappeared. The soreness too about the Reserves is in a great measure relieved, the Atty.Genl. having ruled that the Native Reserves made by Col. McCleverty - in consideration for numerous grounds, and other plantations within and in the neighbourhood of the Town of Wellington, which were ceded to the Govt. - do not come within the meaning of the Nat.Res.Act, 1856. I am right glad that this vexed point has at length been set at rest. The Atty.General's decision quite bears out the views I laid before you when last here. Had the Board been permitted the exercise of the power of this class of Reserves, as assumed by it, I am persuaded much mischief would have been the result. Wi Tako - recently the avowed opponent of the Govt. - seems ashamed of his conduct. I think he would readily seize on any opportunity of re-ingratiating himself. He was brutally assaulted at the Hutt, the other day, by some mad-caps of His men became very exasperated and serious evil, if not bloodshed, would have ensued but for his discreet and praiseworthy conduct in restraining them. The case occupied the attention of the R.M. for two days, and eventuated in the 4 defendants' being fined, and Wi Tako (the complainant) highly commended for the exemplary course pursued by him. Awaiting the favor of a reply I am, My dear Sir, Yours truly W. L.Buller D. McLean Esa.