aspiring to the Magistracy - the only exception, I hear, are the Missionaries in whose comfortable homes Fenton enjoyed their hospitality, of course, most willing to do for the Missionaries anything in his power as reciprocation. Time and ability fail me to enlarge on the argument, I shall only remark one circumstance more and then drop it, in Fenton's trial against me one of my witnesses was Mr. John Ferguson of Hwatahwata - when Fenton perceived that the man is speaking boldly in my favor, he interrupted Ferguson with a severe look saying ''I must caution you to be aware that you are upon your oath etc'' Ferguson being a honest, upright, but illiterate man, the uncalled for severity of the interruption made the man believe that he was committing himself by declaring boldly what he knew about the argument, it shook every breath of wind out of his sails - there was scarcely a yes or no left in him - and thecase went against me. I am but a poor and ignorant man - no ways able to cope with a subtil lawyer - besides not all truths can always be proved - plenty of time has been taken, too, to allow Mr. Fenton's footprints in the Waikato to be effaced - many of the settlers of those times have since removed etc. others are over whelmed in anxieties thro' the aspect of the country - please to consider my present as private in those particulars which could be used as an argument of action by him against me. With my highest esteem, I have the honor to remain, Sir, Your most humble Servt., Ch. Hy. Strauss. We fully confirm the contempt with which Mr. Fenton's name is mentioned by the settlers of the whole inland to the present day. John Ferguson. Richard Ferguson. To:-- D. McLean Esq.Auckland