Taranaki 30th. October 1856. My dear McLean, The steamer set all the conjectures regarding her, at rest, last night. Bell came ashore this morning, and I have had a long korero with him on various matters. I was introduced by him to Mr. Stafford, who appears to be a nice gentlemanly man, and cute, to boot. Mr. Chilman's case comes off to-morrow, and I have been summoned. The previous one was Waitana's; and the little evidence I then gave had reference chiefly to it. I had no need then to enquire into the other, for know that it might not be disposed of, like other land claims, But Mr. Chilman, for reasons best known to himself, has preferred another tribunal for this particular claim; and to-morrow I shall give evidence. He dislikes, perhaps fears me as a Judge; and he will have me as a witness. The interval has enabled me to look into Company's papers, and I am happy to find that the Commission under which you acted, and Mr. Wicksteed wrote, is fully borne out by the