Auckland, 3 Jany., 1848. My Dear McLean, Your Messenger Aubrey arrived here in good time. He now returns overland and I am sorry I could not get him a passage back in the Steamer. It is not quite certain whether she goes to Taranaki immediately or not, or in fact what may be her route for which reasons the Governor did not think it advisable to take Mr.Aubrey with him. We had the new Charter proclaimed on Saturday with great eclat, although few people here look on the change with much interest or consider it a great boon. The Governor sails today in the Inflexible for the Bay of Islands and if nothing unforseen occurs I expect he will be between two and three months away during which time he will probably go round the Middle Island etc. It is not yet quite determined on yet to what Province Taranaki will belong but I think it will be to this one New Ulster. I remain, My Dear McLean, Yours truly, A. Sinclair.