Auckland Dec. 7th 1859 My dear McLean, It gave me the most sincere pleasure to receive yours of the 30th Ult. and to hear that you are 'picking up' again. We shall now hope that a short time will make you, once more, . A sight of you would be refreshing, but I do not gather from your letter that you purpose showing the Auckland folk the light of your countenance for the present - There is plenty here requiring your presence, but I should be sorry to see you subjected to the worry and harass of business until your nerves are again well strung. I have not been able to get your accounts passed (for the Hawke'sBay purchases) more detailed information will be called for. I would send you papers but do not like to worry you. We shall probably apply to Cooper to furnish what is necessary. I send you a copy of my letter with reference to the Carleton petition - Also a draft of Sewells proposed bill - I would send you my letter which accompanied the Governor's despatch on the subject introducing changes in the management of native affairs and land purchasing in unopened districts, but it is long and we can not get it copied - to make the thing complete, you should have a copy of the Governor's despatch and of all its enclosures including letters from Dr. Martin, Messrs. Swainson, Burrows, Archdn. Kissling, Mr. Daldy, Memo. of Ministers with drafts of three bills proposed to be brought before next Assembly. If you wish it, however, I will send you my letter by next trip of the White Swan. I am sorry we overlooked to make provision for Buller's travelling expenses - All was arranged in a hurry just before the Governor left. An Authority goes by this mail for an advance to be made to him at Lyttelton on this account. Ebenezer Baker has been instructed to go to Wellington to take Buller's place more than a month ago. I suppose there has been no opportunity hitherto. The 'White Swan' will call in at Turanga on her trip, to drop Bell there - there will then, at least, be an opportunity of his going direct - The blocks in the Wellington province sent up by you from Napier and by Searancke from Wellington will be proclaimed in the next Gazette - there has been a delay in respect of the former in consequence of the papers, having been reqired for the purpose of compiling returns, And the action indicated on them was inadvertently overlooked - The Wainui block seems the only one of any extent - No delay has occurred with respect to the blocks sent up later- both sets will appear together and are probably now in type - Rogan is at Kaipara at work - he has lately sent in a report showing that the operations of our dept. in the Kaipara alone, since his being sent into the district, extend over upwards of half a million acres the whole of which will probably he acquired during the next 18 months - Sinclair is better - Sufficiently well to attend office but not to undertake regular work -he begs to be kindly remembered to you and to say that he does not feel quite up to writing yet - I think I must not enter upon any matters of business, or I shall be betrayed into inflicting on you a long winded epistle for which I have no time - and which will not do you any particular good - Halse left for the Waikato yesterday morning - he seems up to the art of managing natives and loyal to our department, as separate from Responsible Ministry - He had an interview with the Governor who explained to him his views and wishes, also the peculiar circumstances connected with the district and Fenton's former appointment - The official instructions given to Halse were therefore very brief - And merely referred to his being in possession of the views and wishes of H.E. and the objects of his mission - He will make a preliminary circuit to feel the pulse of the natives and report proceedings etc. Turton has fceen instructed to make the circuit of the native settlements in the neighborhood of Auckland - Hauraki Manuka etc. - and on his return will go down to pay another visit to the Bay of Plenty - You will be surprised to hear that Miss Mary Bartley is now Mrs. Stafford - Archdn. H. Williams youngest daughter will shortly be Mrs. Carleton - so goes the world 'since the days of Noe' - Geo. Graham has just been here and begs to be specially remembered - very many kind enquiries have been made of me and many kind messages entrusted to me - Young Fullson has shown great concern about you - Now my dear McLean - promising you a more serious infliction next time believe me, Most sincerely yours Thos. H. Smith Donald McLean Esq. J. P. Wellington