Wellington March 4 1861 My dear Maclean You will I have no doubt remember my speaking to you, when you were last here, about the Native Reserve immediately adjoining my house, my expressing a desire either to lease or purchase it, if it could legally be done, and your promising to enquire into the matter, and ascertain whether my wishes could be complied with. I understood, from what you said, that I should have the first offer of the land in question - whether for lease or purchase. During my attendance at Auckland, it appears, that a man of the name of Cottle has taken a lease of the land for eighteen or 20 years at a rent of 7--10 -