Nelson 13th Feby. 1856. My dear McLean, I received your letter dated from Richmond Brook a couple of days since and am glad you think so highly of my Run I think Andrew should do well upon it You will have I suppose by this time received my letter in reply to yours but in case it has not come to hand I enclose a copy. I directed it to Waitohi and sent it by a vessel going to the Wairau therefore if you have not received it you had better send for it as I enclosed a letter from the Governor to you --- On talking over the subject of investigating the claims of those who purchased before the proclamation of Sir G. Gipps with Stafford we have both come to the conclusion that it would not be advisable now that the is alienated by the Natives to carry on any investigation by a Comr. and that the best mode of arrangement would be that I mentioned in my last letter viz. to give the right of preemption to the Claimants at 10/- per acre upon the land where their houses are and upon which they have effected improvements and Stafford will include a clause to that effect and also to include cases such Michael Aldridge in the Land Regulations he is going to bring before the Pro. Council this Session which is now sitting, as however it may not pass it will be as well to make all the enquiries you can about the cases as requested in my last letter that we may easily dispose of them by holding a Court should if after all become necessary. The case of Joseph Toms I should think there ought to be little trouble about as it will form part of the Land sold to the Government and it will then merely become a question between the Govt. and the heirs of Jos. Toms --- the land should therefore not form part of the Reserves to the Natives I suppose you can continue this --- We expect the Steamer from Auckland today I hope I shall not have to seal up before it comes in as I shall get your letters and send them to you I shall keep the package open till the last moment. Meantime Believe me, my dear McLean Very sincerely yours M. Richmond Mr. Nicholson the Scotch Clergyman called here the other day and mentioned that there is an old couple, a Native and his wife, living at Kaipupu a small Bay he has purchased close to the Town of Waitohi --- it was one of the conditions of sale that on getting Waikawa all the natives were to leave their cultivations at Watohi and Mr. N. does not think this old couple have any intention of remaining permanently but wished me to write to ask you to speak to them on the matter, that there may be no misunderstanding about it --- he has no objection to their taking the crops that are in the ground but will object to their putting others in. J.R.