Wanganui, 18th Octr., 1860. My dear McLean, I have duly secured your Note of 3rd Inst. but you dont state any place, am therefore at a loss where to address my letters - I must refer you to my Report on Native matters to the Attorney Genl., you will find my last one of the 11th Inst. rather important giving a detailed act. of the Parekino Meeting - Last Court day at Rangetiki the Natives did not behave so well as usual. Capt. Daniel sat on the Bench with me - Duncan Frazier brought a case against our friend and another Native for loss of sheep killed by Maori Dogs, from the Evidence it appeared some of the sheep were killed on the Native Reserve, and others on Fraziers land - The Natives admitted the ownership of the Dogs but stated that the sheep had no business on the Reserve - I told them they had a remedey against the sheep without allowing their Dogs to destroy them - Frazier got a Verdict for £25, which the Natives decline to pay and said in future they would refer their cases to the Runanga unfortunately there was no Native Assessor present for Teratoe has been ill for some time back, Runana Hunia was absent, he has now lost all influence with his tribe having again been guilty of Adultery both him and his wife, a Memorial is therefore underway to the Got. for his dismissal from the Bench. I have not yet reported the sheep case until I see Meti King on the subject - There was to have been a Meeting at Rangitiko last Monday according to arrangements enterd into by the Chiefs that have arrived from the Conference at Auckland, but I believe it is adjourned. Next Monday they will hold their Meeting at Waitotara, I shall most likely attend - Deighton tells me that he corresponds with you regularly on Native affairs Nixon has returned after a 3 weeks journey up the river as wise as he went not having reached Topiru within 150 miles - I am sorry to say a painful collision has lately taken place here on Church matters, on Basil Taylors arrival here, Col. Wyatt offerd him the Military Chaplaincy which he accepted, the Resident Clergyman Mr. Nicholls being on temporary leave at the time, and had not resigned said appointment; as this salary forms part of the stipend of the Resident Clergyman, the Parishioners naturally dont feel inclind to make up the difference, particularly as Basil enjoys a Salary from home for the conversion of the heathen entre nous, it would be far better if the Church of England Natives were better attended to - The Roman Catholic Priests have got the whole field to themselves on this river, since Pipiriki has been vacated by Mr. Booth (12 months ago) Hore Patene and the others have all turned Kingites. No Missionary has been at Rangitiki for the last 5 Months, no wonder therefore that the Natives are led astray when there is no one to advise them. I told Mr. Taylor it would have been far better for Mr. Basil to attend to his Missionary labors than to become a Candidate for a new Church in Wanganui in order to please a certain few viz. Mr. Harper, Geo. Roberts the late Publican, and a Mr. Lewis late shopman - The feeling against the Featherston party is increasing fast - Watt talks of opposing Trafford, I think the former has the best chance, he certainly would not give us so much annoyance and waste so much valuable time of the house as Fox - Poor Ross says he could not afford to become a Member. Mrs. Durie desires to be kindly remembered and Believe me, Dear McLean, Yours faithfully, D. S. Durie. The Sea Gullis in sight from Taranaki, I hope we shall receive good news. Col. Leslies late defeat appears a most extraordinary affair.