Waitangi, Wednesday night, Jany. 27/58. My dear Sir, I have been thinking a little today on what you mentioned to me --- viz. --- The adoption of some plan by which the Nat. Chief would be satisfied and allow the Settlers' Stock to graze on their lands; --- and, as it may be several days ere I may see you, and as I wish you to know early my thoughts on the subject (if of any service), lest you should, in talking with the Chief, hold out to them any prospect of gain, etc. --- I now write to give you a few of them for your consideration. Of course, I know very well that some arrangement to be made by which they may gain by the grass, etc. on their waste lands; --- I, however, would (for the benefit of ) strenuously oppose it. --- For, 1/ Such would keep back (perhaps altogether) the Sale to Govt. of these Plains:--- 2. Enhance their price considerably when sold. --- 3. Open wide door to Cattle (from Settlers) to graze.--- 4. Retard Civilization. 5. Perhaps cause difficulties elsewhere --- as precedents of such a nature (gain!) fly among the Natives: --- such as --- Their making of grassy (Baiting) places. --- ---Their making of grassy belts around proposed site of township.--- ---Their making demands for grass eaten by Travellers' Horses, Stock in driving, etc. etc. 6. All "Runs" adjoining Natives' Ground and all Natives Waste Land adjoining Runs should be on the "give --- and-take" system: as all Natives now have stock, which is largely increasing: Such has been, all along, done by Mr. Alexander.--- 7. No impounding should be allowed for trespass on unimproved ground --- for, from the fact of half of them being they would give settlers terrible annoyance. 8. They themselves in travelling (often in parties) over Govt. grounds, or even Private property --- would never pay for their Horses, etc. grazing.--- 9. Impounding (of course) proper, in case of trespass on enclosed Lands, and Cultivations --- but here fences should be imperatively required:--- For such would ---Cause them to ---Cause them to cease wandering from spot to spot. ---Cause them to their land--- ---Cause them to abandon some of their desires.--- 10. Besides, a sum (not even ten times the amount per head, or per acre, now paid to the Govt.) would not satisfy them:--- and, if a large sum were paid, it would in all probability, be seized by the Principal Chief;--- which would (I fear) go to encourage his idleness and rapacity --- cause him to encourage such stock coming about his Land; which would serve to annoy the tribe (they not gaining any of the profits) and they would, perhaps, privately injure the stock, etc. 11. Further there would be no manner of justice in so acting; such being the common custom with Govt. Lands --- which moreover have been for --- while theirs cost them nothing.--- 12. I verily believe that the sooner they are dealt with, as if they were really and truly subjects, the better for them, and for their children, and for --- One Law, Rule, one manner of acting for at least for --- seeing how they are, how they are (or may be), and how they are advanced --- some, even some of our own countrymen.--- Pray excuse, my dear Sir, the freedom of these few remarks --- written, too, roughly.--- And believe me to be Every very truly Yours William Colenso. To:--D. McLean Esq.