Wellington 10th January 1862 Sir It is my duty to lay before you such explanations as lie in my power in answer to the charge brought against me in a letter dated 9th October 1861 from His Honor the Superintendent of Wellington to the Honble the Colonial Secretary taken from ''Minutes of an Interview between his Honor and certain Natives on the 26th of September 1861. I beg to acknowledge receipt of a Copy of Minutes of evidence taken at Takapuahia on the 3rd instant before yourself and W. Fitzherbert Esqre when a further inquiry was made into the truth of the Statements