say occurred to you that a stronger staff of Native Officers (or rather Officers for Native work) should be kept up in each province of this Island where the Natives are so numerous from whence the younger Officers might be draughted to occupy intermediate stations as they may be required. Though the acquisition of land by the Government is of the first importance to both races I cannot but consider the bringing of the Natives under our own laws and inducing them to adopt more and more our modes of life as requiring all the aids that can be afforded by the people who have come here to possess themselves of the Maoris' Country. For this purpose it appears to me that more Officers of the General Government are required in each Province whose knowledge of the language, manners and customs, mode of thought of the Natives in fact who have studied their character in all its phases; so that in all cases where the Natives require advice and wish to place themselves under the protection and guidance of our laws they may easily and readily obtain the assistance they require. To a very great extent they have been thus assisted in this Province, and to this I think may be attributed the improving state of the Maoris here. Whilst on this subject I would just remark that the Assessors have not yet received their pay which is now three quarters of a year in arrear. They have behaved very well in the matter but I Trust they will not much longer remain unpaid. About a fortnight ago I rode with Mr. Turton to the Ua to receive the contributions for the Wesleyan Native Chapel where nearly one hundred and fifty pounds were paid in, and about twenty five pounds more have been promised. It was a very interesting sight to witness the old and