Wellington Independent. March 28. 1861 Extract from Gl. correspondent's letter dated Otaki M. 24 -- ''Under cross examination by Mr.Fox - the Archdeacon stated that Mr.McLean had paid the Ngatitoa resident at Cooks strait for Land at Kawhia which they had abandoned for more than 40 years - He added however that he had no respect whatever for Mr.McLeans opinion in matters of Land purchase - That Mr.McLean did not conduct his purchases on any fixed principles - but bought at one time from the conquerors at another from the conquered - that his rule appears to have been to treat with the strongest party - and that when he found a conquered tribe strong enough to give him possession of the Land and willing to sell he would buy from them and vice versa. He quoted one instance the purchase of the Pelorus in which Mr. McLean finding the occupants unwilling to sell, sent across to Rawiri Puaha - Tamihana te Rauparaha, and Matene te Whiwhi, Ngatitoa chiefs residing here and on them to use intimidation. threatened to drag them over with ropes round their necks and thus compelled them to agree to the sale''