certainly cannot be imputed to him as a matter of blame, that the land acquired by him, was not so administered as to have admitted of the introduction and settlement of a much larger European population. In short, we say, without fear of contradiction, that the whole of the extensive and valuable territory between here and Wellington, including some millions of acres of the richest land in the Island, have been acquired and peaceably occupied by the extraordinary skill and energy, which Mr. McLean invariably displayed in managing the natives. Nor were those exertions confined to this part of the country alone. It is well-known that the Auckland province was miserably circumscribed for land; that the much-vaunted direct purchase had effected little more