Auckland July 28th 1859 My dear McLean, Herewith I send you a Gazette containing an important despatch which as you may suppose has given the Governor great satisfaction - and the direct purchase agitators, I fancy, a fit of indigestion - The tone to responsible advisers is very courteous and you see the Native Districts Reg. and Nat.Civ. Courts Acts are strongly approved. I have to thank you for a few lines by the return of the 'Worsley' but you did not reply to my query about the Opotiki mill money - Can only assume that it is all right but require production of receipts I am sorry to find that Friend has not put Baker in a position to furnish any information in reference to accounts at least so I am informed by the latter - and the books are either not in the office or not accessible - The Governor has just received a letter from Revd. Mr. Buller with reference to a paragraph which appeared in one of the Southern papers stating that the appointment of A. N. S. at Wellington has been promised to his son. The Govr. wrote to the Superintendent about it and the letter was shown to Mr. Buller who is evidently much hurt and expresses considerable disappointment. He refers to a personal interview with H.E. and to a subsequent conversation between yourself and his son in which you are said to have told the latter that the A. N. S. ship was the position intended for him - this was mentioned by young Buller to a few friends etc. etc. I mention this that you may be aware of what has passed - Mr.Buller's letter is not in good taste to say the least, and he winds up with a gloomy sketch of native affairs with forebodings of evil in connection with the King movement. Rogan tells me he has written to you and has I doubt not given you all the news - I wish there was some prospect of our seeing you back again at head quarters - to say truth I a at times, worried and wearied enough to wish myself far away. I suppose you get by this mail a confidential asking your opinion on Sewell's scheme - which is somewhat modified by the introduction for the - I should like to know the view which will be taken by your practical mind - the principle appears to me to be the true one but its applicability to the present circumstances of the Colony, appears doubtful - and I never can imagine Auckland men approving it - Sold to the South, would be the cry and Separation - the fact is questions of this kind ought not be dealt with by the Colonists - they should be decided by the Home Govt. The Banks Peninsula land is not yet proclaimed - the difficulty of reciting boundaries has caused delay the matter now rests with Richmond who has undertaken to prepare a description which will serve the purpose - With reference to the Deed of Cession - it seems to me that the objections of the natives are to the Act itself and no explanation consistent with truth will satisfy them - they are not prepared for unconditional surrender and the Act provides for nothing short of that - I have sent on your letter and suggested that portions of the 6 and 9 Clauses should be embodied in a new deed by way of making it more intelligible and complete in itself - I think there is no chance of the Napier regulations being confirmed. We are going on tolerably smoothly here - not very many natives just now. News from Turton - was at Opotiki last week - 11th week out - The Govr. is urgent for the appt. of a Mag. for the Waikato - Morgan urging it and recommending Armi tage - who has named the woman he was living with and is everything to be desired with the Missionaries - Hutton will, I think, have the refusal of the Appt. In haste as the mail is closing Believe me, Dear McLean Ever faithfully yours Thos.H. Smith