New Plymouth Jany. 30, 1861. My Dr. Sir, I have declined to revert officially to the question respecting Mr. Hay and myself, hoping that an enquiry would have been instituted, when a great deal would have been explained, that never has been. His charges against me were a gross tissue of falsehoods of his own invention, and those charges are recorded against me in the office of the department in which we are serving, without an investigation. I feel therefore that I have been debarred, even the privilige of a private Soldier, who can demand an enquiry, whenever a charge is preferred against him. I was most cautious from the commencement on account of the remarks he made to the Natives respecting yourself whilst you were in the district. His attempt to come the was shown in my official reply to his charges. His conduct towards the poor Natives, who have estranged themselves from their tribe by attempting to Join the Governt. is highly reprehensible, never the intention of the Government, that those men should be treated as they have been by him. I was really agraid at one time, that they would have cleared out and gone over to the enemy. He not only speaks disrespectfully of subordinate officers of the department, but also of yourself, to the Natives, acknowledging no other authority but the Governor over him. In all this he has only impressed the natives with the opinion that he is, , one they refuse to serve. You may well imagine how unplesant it is for me to go to Waitara, under such circumstances. He makes his boast through the Camp that he has reported me to the Govr. and that I have had a reprimand. That the Governor has left it optional with himself, to leave or not. But so long as he remains, nothing can work comfortable, as there is always some disrespectful remark or other from him, in reference to individuals working in the depart. at a time when perfect harmony should exist, for the department gets abuse enough from without. I am My Dr. Sir, Yours most respectfully, Robert Parris.