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field, to proceed to the Middle Island prepared with funds to effect the acquisition of land for the Company, I directed Mr. Symonds to return with him by the schooner " Scotia," which sailed on the 21st instant, in order that every facility might be afforded in the negotiations for the purchase. From the tone of the letter I received from the Company's Principal Agent I was apprehensive that in his communications with Mr. Tuckett he might not have expressed himself in sufficiently strong terms on the impropriety of his proceedings so as to prevent a repetition of them ; and, it having likewise come to my knowledge that an influential chief in the south had written to another assenting to the sale of the land, but at the same time remarking " that if the pakehas did not make all straight, they had only to repeat the scene of the Wairau," I considered that Mr. Symonds should be furnished with more stringent directions to enable him at once to put a stop to any measure which he conceived was likely to bring on a collision with the Aborigines or create any serious misunderstanding between them and our countrymen. A copy of these instructions I herewith enclose. Previous to Mr. Symonds's and Mr. D. Wakefield's departure, they had several interviews at my house, when I courted their putting any question to each other, or to me, upon points on which either entertained the slightest doubt; and from the manner in which both appeared to understand the business, and the correct sense Mr. Wakefield seemed to take of Mr. Tuckett's conduct, I do not contemplate there will be any further misunderstanding or delay. In relation to the new settlement, when the choice of sections is being made it will be necessary to have an officer on the spot to select reserves for the Government and Natives. For this duty (should f not be previously instructed by Your Excellency) it is my intention to appoint Mr. Symonds, whose local knowledge and experience as a surveyor qualifies him for the service. I shall endeavour to furnish him with a list of what is required, in the event of my not learning in time what reserves Your Excellency may consider necessary. I have, &c, His Excellency the Governor, Auckland. M. Richmond, Superintendent.

Enclosure 1 in No. 5. Mr. J. J. Symonds, P.M., to His Honour the Superintendent, Wellington. Sir,— Wellington, Ist May, 1844. I have the honour to report to you my arrival in this place, having been compelled, by the following unforeseen circumstances, to withdraw from the expedition for the purchase of a site for the settlement of New Edinburgh, viz. : First, because the Agent of the New Zealand.Company for New Edinburgh has proceeded to survey lands and roadsteads contrary to your instructions to me on this head, dated the 2nd April, 1844, alleging as an excuse for so doing his having obtained permission from the proprietors, both European and aboriginal. As the principal chiefs to whom this district partly belongs were absent at Port Levy, and no permission to survey was granted by them to Mr. Tuckett while he was at Port Cooper, I considered the sanction of the aboriginal proprietors had not been obtained. Mr. Jones, who is the greatest landed proprietor in this district, did grant permission to Mr. Barnicoat to survey Waikowaite ; but this gentleman did not think proper to inform me of the circumstance, although he led Mr. Tuckett to understand that he had fulfilled his instructions on this head. It was by unintentionally overhearing two of Mr. Tuckett's assistants forming plans for the commencement of the survey in question that I was led to conceive their intentions, and was then informed that Mr. Tuckett had left instructions with them to survey Waikowaite during his absence. Not having informed me of any such arrangement previous to his departure, as I considered your instructions most positive on this point, I recommended these gentlemen, in the mildest terms, to abstain and await the arrival of Mr. Tuckett, who on his return transmitted me the enclosed communication (No. 1), a copy of which I have now the honour to forward for your inspection. Second, as the instructions of His Excellency the Governor to me were to superintend and assist in the purchase of a portion of land for the settlement of New Edinburgh, I was led to understand, previous to my departure from this place, by a letter from the New Zealand Company's Principal Agent, a copy of which I had the honour to place before you, that Mr. Tuckett was empowered by him to effect this purchase, and had the means of so doing. I subsequently ascertained that it was his intention to remunerate the Aborigines for their land partly in goods and partly by a cheque drawn on the Principal Agent of the New Zealand Company. I did not consider the latter mode of payment satisfactory, the aborigines not comprehending the nature of such. I beg leave to add, in conclusion, that, although Mr. Tuckett disclaims in his letter (No. 2), a copy of which I also have the honour to enclose, having expressed any intention of acting in opposition to any of your wishes, he informed me " that he had no idea of being trammelled by any instructions I might have received on this subject, more especially as they were opposed to the object of his present expedition." And he furthermore stated, as you will perceive by the enclosed communication, that it was his indispensable duty to give his assistants similar instructions in reference to the Port of Otago and all other ports which he might subsequently visit. Considering this mode of proceeding in direct opposition to the tenor of your instructions, which were peremptory on this head, I conceived myself bound to withdraw from the expedition, and avail myself of the opportunity which fortunately offered itself at that moment to ascertain your further instructions on these important points. I have, &c, His Honour the Superintendent, Wellington. John Jermyn Symonds, P.M.