Auckland 15 Sepr 1871. My dear Mr. Maclean, Accept my thanks for your kind reception of our labura. We are much cheered and encouraged by it. There is of course an outcry against the proposed alteration in the mode of conducting the enquiry into title. It is declared impracticable; yet it is, I believe, in daily operation in the Court held by Mr. Commissioner Clarke at Tauranga. Some offensive imputations are thrown out in one of our papers here against Dr. Shortland for his share in this work and some of rather a mild sort against me. For his sake and for mine too, I shall be glad if it falls in with your plans to print my letter of 29 July. It will explain the circumstances under which the work was begun; and may remove some predjudices. By this mail I have forwarded some brief remarks on the proposed enactments respecting Native Reserves in the latter part of Mr. Fenton's Draft Bill. These remarks may have an indirect as well as a direct use. They may serve to show the character and style of the legislation proposed. Some persons may be brought to see how practically sweeping and destructive in their operation clauses may be, and at the same time may be so loose and large in their wording that their real effect may escape the notice of a reader. With all best wished, I remain, My dear Mr. MacLean, Yours very truly, Wm. Martin.