Wellington August 17, 1863. My dear Sir, I received your letter by the last mail informing me that Mr. Tiffen had resigned, and that you had recommended my appointment as Crown Lands Commissioner to the General Government, for this please accept my warmest thanks At the same time I regret to say that the delay that has intervened together with an uncertainty that existed with regard to the appt. compelled me as a dernier resorte to accept an appointment in the Canterbury Province, to which I was urged by the Government there wither to accept or not at once as it had been kept open some time for me, and I leave by the steamer today for the purpose of entering on my duties. The cordiality and good will evinced by you towards me I shall ever remember and with regards from all our circle here including Mrs. Fraser and myself. Believe me in haste, My dear Sir, Yours most sincerely, Malcolm Fraser. Donald McLean, Esq.