. Wellington, 19th. June 1872. My dear George, I have been hard at work on official matters all the morning, and have barely time to write to you; but will send a few lines. I had a long talk with Fitzherbert yesterday, and explained how thoroughly unfettered you ought to be. He assured me that since your arrival in Wellington, he had left the matter re land, entirely in your hands; and expressed himself much pleased at my confirmation of what you had urged. He seemed, however, to think that the General Government might not him to get the land. I did all I could to remove any such suspicion - explained fully the spirit in which I believe you had acted, namely a due regard for private interests, subject to the primary object of extinguishing native claims. I can see, however, that what we put , he puts ; and he actually objected, on the score of danger, to our arrangements as shewn on the plan, for locating native claims insisting that they ought to be satisfied out of the upper part of the Whenuakura Block! To do this, as I told him, would not only cost more, but would be far less safe. If any natives come back, the further they are from the bush, the better. I shall see Ormond and the rest before I leave, and will let you know the result on my return by coach, to arrive on Friday next. In haste Very truly yours (Signed) Robert Pharazyn.