Private Auckland 3 Oct. 1870 My Dear McLean, I hear that you are not likely to be up here for a month or so yet so I write you this meantime to direct your attention to two or three matters which want looking to without delay. If you would like me to put it officially I will, but in the first instance do so privately. First. I find that through some negligence of White at Mongonui a piece of land long ago Provincial property has been put through the Court and a certificate issued. When you were at Mongonui with the Governor, Mr. Butler spoke to you about it and you promised there would be a rehearing granted - Sometime after notice of a rehearing of an adjoining claim was given but not of this one. Butler pointed this out to White who said it was all right as the one notice would answer for both. However on the 20th ulto. the certificate of title for the piece now referred to arrived and was received by the principal Claimant who then said to Butler that the Judge was a fool for every one as well as himself knew that part of the land was not theirs at all and they expected the Govt, would dispute their title to it''. If this is to be the way in which White attends to the interests of the Govt. I think he scarcely earns his salary - Can nothing be done to put this right? The Govt. deed is now in Mongonui - I think White ought to be told that he must have this corrected at the peril of his appointment and that will perhaps stir him up - , re Thames foreshore - Puckey seems to have made a mess of this - and R.Graham and Whitaker and Lundon seem to be trying to make a job out of it - Every day seems adding to the complications and the state of it is retarding improvements which might be made for the purpose of batteries and other works. I wish you could get some one to take it in hand energetically and settle it - , As to purchase of native lands - I dont know whether your £200,000 is to be expended solely in purchase of lands for settlement or whether it would be available for the extinguishment of the native title over the goldfields at Coromandel and the Thames. I have reason to know that they could be bought out on easy terms from the of the field, but as you know they must be taken when in the humour - Unless something of this sort be done you will have ere long an agitation against the miners rights etc. of a very troublesome character - Pray let me know your views as to this - Also, let me know how you propose to do as to the purchase of settlement lands. There are constantly chances turning up which must be taken at once or lost. If you could authorise me to purchase within certain limits of price lands fit for settlement not exceeding a gross sum I think I could occasionally secure some valuable blocks - I trust you have survived the Session without serious constitutional injury, and hoping to see you here ere long I remain Yours truly Thomas B. Gillies The Honble.D. McLean Esq. G. M.C. Wellington