Auckland. March 11, /45. Dear McLean, Your letters by the Post and Slains Castle came safe to hand, and I was glad to learn that all was peace in your district I am sorry to learn that Ihuna had been cutting down and clearing timber from the block of land the Governor paid them for, I have no hesitation in advising you to use your influence in preventing the slightest encroachment upon that land, under no pretence whatever would I allow them to cultivate or otherwise use that land I would also suggest to you and to the Police Magistrate to unite and oppose every attempt at encroachment get the Natives to assist you in preventing it and failing in these means the sooner you can have a force to put a stop to it the better, I would not purchase another acre of land until the Natives agreed to remove every annoyance. Neither would I allow them (were I Captn. King) to be exorbitant in their demands for land by waiting he will be able to purchase upon reasonable terms - be careful not to mix yourself up with land purchases give your advice privately and assist them as such by every possible means give the Natives also good advice on such occasions and shew them how much they injure themselves by becoming unreasonable it is only by a good feeling between the two races that prosperity can accompany their efforts. You will have heard of the sad disaster which has taken place at the Bay and you will need double diligence to keep the Natives from presuming you will not fail to point out the evils that must arise from these sad (page torn) the Natives will be the great sufferers ultimately, if they proceed to molest the Europeans. I will attend to the little money affairs for you as soon as we get a little out of our confusion if I do not do you remind me of it again. Yours very sincerely, George Clarke. P.S. Be sure to let me know what effect the News of the taking of Kororareka has upon your Natives and in your district.