Office New Plymouth 13th. March 1857. My dear Sir, A long while has elapsed since you favoured me with a letter, and I did not know how little leisure time you have I should be tempted to take such silence as a rebuke for my various unanswered inflictions, but I will not think so until you tell me so. Our friend Turton has been sadly persecuted by Ironside and his Clique, and would I feel assured from the tenor of his letters very gladly quit the connection which now has, and apparently can have no beneficial result either for himself or for the Natives. I wish it were possible to attach him to the Government as an officer connected with the Native Department. He would be invaluable, and were he now placed here could in unison with Mr. H. Halse do incalculable service. In Mr. Turton's last letter to