Confidential. Sir, I have the honor to lay the following before you for favourable consideration, as showing the peculiar position in which I stand in connexion with the Govt. and Ngatiporou tribe and you will at once perceive the difficulty I shall have in doing my duty to Govt. without injury to myself. I also beg to submit a proposal which may meet the view of all parties and to allow me to do my duty honestly and untrameled by personal considerations. I have to request your kind indulgence and allow me to write unreservedly and so clearly define my true position.