Auckland 16th. Oct. 1857. My dear Sir, Having received and perused your enclosed copy of the Report lately addressed by you to His Excellency the Governor, I sincerely take it very king of your hand to have been at the trouble of furninshing and forwarding it for my information. Were it any wise indicative of its merit that I should remark in its favor, I might readily acknowledge, that, so far a I understand the subject, I believe it to be plain, powerful, and politic, and that it would prove a real and rare benefit and blessing to all concerned, and to our people particularly, if its meaning and intent were carried accordingly by our Government. I beg further to remark that our Nova Scotians unanimously feel deeply obliged for your continued and generous friendship to them, and for this last, as not the least expression of its disinterested sincerity. May the goodness of Heaven reward your ever friendly support and protection in behalf of our requirements and character, since our very arrival here as a party, but comparatively few in number, and feeble in influence, adopting a land of strangers. When you happen to meet His Honor the Superintendent, I beg to have my humble respects presented to him. I would not choose to intrude on his time at this bustling season, especially till the election is over. With the rest of our people, and Mr. Munro in particular, I believe Mr. Williamson, as far as I have opportunity to know his mind, to be favorably disposed towards our Nova Scotians; and feel little doubt of his acting for our benefit, had he no bar to arrest or impede his intended influence. But by the bye, Sir, please to instruct me how I can see the headstrong champion our good friend Mr. McLean properly punished for crushing and criminating my excellent Irish pamphlet --- duly and deservedly exposing black and poisonous, fraudulent and fatal popery --- from my original design in its transmission. "It is too wild" --- against popery --- so! so! Still I know too well the proof-armour of my esteemed correspondent; for he can dexterously blunt and bend my best and most serious weapons, by his brandished bantering, till we are both like two random bantlings at their play and pastime. I shall regard it both my pleasure and privilege to wait upon you once again before my return, meanwhile believe me to be, Dear Sir, yours very truly, Norman McLeod. P.S. Since I saw you last, it has occurred to my mind that probably --- tho' you thought it impractible to see the hulks of the Maori small captures any wise sold --- you might notwithstanding feel not the same hesitation in regard to their gear or material, viz. sails, chains, blocks, anchors and rigging, either wholly or partly; which at the supposed nominal or reduced price, would be of good service to me, in my present limited --- tho' still improving --- circumstances; as I now intend to build a small craft for the assistance of my little family, under the leading of my dear and dutiful son, and for the convenience of my neighbours generally, now in the absence of any other such water medium. As in case of succeeding on the subject, we could easily manage, if necessary, to fetch the articles away without any noise or notoriety. For when the disposal would be of no injury or disadvantage to any concerned --- since the said articles are respectively either rusting or mouldering to destruction still due caution and circumspection should be used in their removal; but the result of all these confidential suggestions to be left entirely at your own discretion. For I am perfectly sure, without a shadow of urgency, on my part, if a compliance on yours, is without apparent inconvenience, there is no want of a ready mind.