Onehunga Dec. 22nd, 1859 - My dear McLean, You's of the 13th inst. per 'White Swan' came duly to hand - We are all glad to hear of your continued improvement in health though we could wish it were more rapid - If , however, we will hope it may be - I have been'trying for some time past to go and see your little Douglas but am always so late at office or other wise prevented that my intention has not been carried into effect - We were planning to have him here, with Mrs. Kingdon's permission, for a visit during the Xmas holidays thinking Mrs Smith would be about again by that time, but we are still in daily expectation of her being laid aside when the nurse will take up all our spare room - My Mother was in town to day and called at the Kingdon's hoping to see Douglas but he was out with Mr.E. - She heard, however, that he is very well and happy - The Superintendent of Hawkes Bay has written up about enforcing the L.P. Ordinance against parties renting native lands in that province - Stafford has written a long minute on the letter referring the subject to the consideration of the Govt. as to the course to be pursued - either to enforce the law strictly or to modify it - At the close of his remarks he notices a statement in the Hawkes Bay Herald of the 10th inst. respecting the Oh, Commr. who is then said to be renting land of the natives at Ngaruroro - He professes to disbelieve the statement but to regard it as affecting the character of the officer referred to and requiring that it should be refuted - This of course in private, though it is no breach of confidence on my part, as the letter in question passed through the office and would, of course, have been seen by you had you been here - meanwhile, I do not think any immediate action will be taken - You are aware that the draft regulations for legalizing trespass on native lands sent up by you, did not find favor, being regarded as a cover for breach or evasion of the law - Hay has also applied for instructions as to the course to be taken by him with respect to persons occupying native lands - a plan had been devised with a view to remedy this growing evil but the receipt of the despatch on the disallowance of the Nat. Territorial Rights Act caused the Governor to stop short. I send you the draft of my letter which accompanied the Governor's despatch in which the new scheme is detailed, but without the despatch and the enclosures, you will not make much of the question - beyond judging whether I have committed the department to the expression of views dissimilar to your own - The enclosed is the only copy I have, I must therefore ask you to return it when read - Your suggestion about sending Turton to Wellington is a good one and should be acted on. But I suppose it will not be necessary to press the matter until the session of the G.A. when provision for maintaining a native officer for the Wellington district should be made. We are greatly in want of an interpreter for Wardell - White reports Piri Kawau as inefficient and it has been thought advisable not to send him to Turanga - he is now here and some office will have to be found for him o his place is supplied by Richard Kemp - I have been thinking of James Hamlin for Turanga. Rogan is in town and will, I presume, write you - We have not yet heard from Halse - There is little news to report - The Overland Mail - new route via Otawhao, Motukaramu and Mokau - was stopped by some of the King party on its first transmission but the parties concerned (Hangatiki natives 25 miles south of Otawhao) had reckoned without their host and on the matter being referred to Potatau got a drubbing for their pains - I shall be glad to get Friend back - the Audit Dept. is looking our's up sharply and all sorts of regulations are to be enforced to keep us in check - Now I think I must leave the rest of the budget for another opportunity - My mother and Mrs. Smith write in kind regards and sympathy to you - and hoping we may continue to receive accounts of your improvement and health believe me Dr. McLean Yours sincerely Thos. H. Smith Donald McLean Esquire J. P. Wellington I enclose you a copy of a circular we are sending to the Assessors appointed under the Nat. Civ. Comrs. Act, it may amuse a half hour when you are in the humor to discuss something dry.