kind and civil to us. The report that my Commission was being delayed while an enquiry was made into my conduct in New Zealand originated with that prince of gossips, Blackett, who came here and told the Editor of the Mercury, who in his turn announced it in a manner which he thought wd. not be disagreeable to me. It astonished me, however, and I was not sorry to get my Commission and be sworn in. Our mutual friends the meek Archdeacon and Stokes, will I am sure in this termination of their suspense.