an interesting cry of "Catch thief!" when off I started as fast as my condition would permitt (without breakfast) and in wedding costume - to a party of Waimate natives seen in the distance; and on coming up to them, my informant, a worthy man, somewhat tinctured with the N.P. rust and Pedlington growl, was wrong, and charged another of the same tribe, but not exactly the same hue, who I found after the axe had been found where the native left it! Had I not smoothed the matter over, as we went on, the accused would have been down on the accuser for utu, and with justice. I find many of our settlers - and many are an extremely choice lot - are given to running their empty heads into hot water; and then come to me to extricate them from their difficulties. Between ourselves, my complicated calling, puts me to my wit's end; but for all that, I serve all alike, by giving a conscientious opinion; which has answered very well for the last 12 months. Agents for land belonging to absentees are bestirring themselves, and the rumour of the appointment of a Commissioner of Crown Lands has shaken the squatter's cause to its utmost foundation. I fancy their doom is sealed; and