Letter from Geo. Smallfield, to Donald McLean Esq., dated 7th. February, (no date of year.) Auckland 7th, February (no year date) Dear Maclean, I should have dropped you a line by the last post, to inform you of the return of Carleton and Fenton from the Waikato; but thought it better to wait and see if the former would not follow up his previous blow at the Native Department. My anticipations have proved well-founded, as you will see by the enclosed article from the So. X (no doubt abbreviation for the ''Southern Cross'') on which I have made the accompanying comment, just to let you two amiable friends know that their ''promising efforts'' are appreciated in some quarters at their right value. It may have been only a happy chance that the two friends so to time their as to be able to go and return at the same time; but I confess I was not aware that Government officers had such latitude of option. It also may have been by a singular, if not providential chance, (if one may coin such a phrase), that these ''more active'' and far-seeing Native Policy Doctors should have so timed their journey as to visit the Waikato just when the ''King Movement'' which Fenton (like another Warwick'') in the bud, should be commencing under a more formidable aspect, -if the ''Southern Cross'' can be credited, A suspicion exists, however, that Native agitation is not infrequently prompted by Pakehas, for their advantage. I am in hopes this may find you at Wellington, if not at Ahuriri, If at the former, could you not get Jerningham Wakefield, (with whom I presume you are acquainted), to notice the question, which assumes a very curious aspect when viewed by the light afforded by the knowledge that Carleton and Fenton started and came home together; and that while the aspies to the direction of the Gubernational (?) mind, -- (of course his delicate compliments to a certain lady possessed of the Gubernational (?) affections and confidence have nothing to do With the end in view), -- the , would like to be the , which he once said he could be among the natives, -- ''if he chose.'' If you are still at Napier, could you not get a letter on the subject, -- by Cooper or Sealy or Fitzgerald, inserted in the ''Herald'', as to the worth of the statements in the ''Southern Cross'', for I imagine that through the Overland Mail, you folks at Napier, must be as well informed on what is going forward in the South of our Province, as we are here. Wood, having been with Carleton, would possibly not like to enter editorial controversy with his old ; and yet I do not think he has much sympathy either for his personal or political aims, to say nothing of your being both interested in ths same national Church, (I believe) If you are at Napier, say to Cooper, I should be glad to hear from him on the affair, if he can spare time to criticise the article; he need not be sparing Let me know how you stand privately with the of the Ministry, - S. - R. - and W. It would guide me in my communications with them on the affair. I may, and do, think it a pity the natives cannot be made amenable to British laws; but even if I thought the time has arrived for making the attempt, (which I do not), I should be extremely sorry to see either of the parties referred to, in any way entrusted with the direct administration of Native Affairs. Ministers are preparing lots of Bills for the coming Session, How many of them will they carry?, and how long will the Session last? I trust our Provincial Session is nearly at an end, for I want to see the Super -intendent able to push on the roads and other public works. The Council have finished the Land Regulations in Committee, - leaving (after a multitude of ''amendments'' . and some carried), the main features of the Bill untouched. They have knocked overboard all City and Harbour and Local Board Bills for the Session; to the general satisfaction, now more strongly expressed than ever since the discovery of the pretty little game played by Lee, and A. O'Neill, with the late Council funds; the former by paying business cost of the rents) salary for his first year of office without any authority either from Act or vote of Council; the latter in sanctioning this mal ------ (?) and in sterling entries, the accounts had been audited, to cover the fraud. Of course the defenders of the Government House swindle are in ecstasy. The present Provincial Government and Council, however, have not backed enquiry into , as the and party did with picking of the public purse. The Governor and his wife have returned from the Bay. The ''Iris'' has left; by this time I hoped the of Napier are swarming with Red Coats. ''Eastfield'', Woodhouse; and Buchanan, and Fletcher and Solomon have smashed; and some others shaky; and marvel of marvels, Singleton Rochfort is to Bell Shepherd. Outhwaite returned in famous health and spirits. Farewell, - (Signed) Geo. Smallfield. To:- Donald McLean Esq. (from scrap of paper.) William King) John Whitely,) 200 Mahau,) Ko te huia) Ko te tuke) 80 Ko Parata,) This is the accusation of the natives, that you said formerly if the greater number consented, you would buy; but if not, you would retain a negative position. Pahs will be built to prove the separate rights of the parties. There is one objection the natives opposing have, to sell, - that they are rich in property. Have horses, cattle, and they wish land for their children. To leave the boundaries as they are for the present. Inclined to sell, but want more payment from the Government. N.B. The above is unsigned, but the name William Old appears in corner of paper.