such severe sufferers feel deeply indebted to your Excellency for the kind manner in which you have introduced and supported their claim for compensation (for losses sustained by the troops) in your legislative Council. I remain, My dear Sir, (Signed) Donald McLean. Whanganui, 16th July, 1849. My Dear Sir, I am glad to inform your Excellency that the Whanganui surveys are progressing favourably the natives in every instance as yet recognizing all the boundaries of those reserves of which in the absence of a surveyor I was only able to give them a verbal explanation. There are still some back lines and one or two side ones which to have the reserves entirely completed to my satisfaction should be cut, but as Mr. Park is conversant with the localities my superintendance would be unnecessary as they would occupy a much longer time than your Excellency would probably feel disposed to let me remain here. To-morrow I intend starting with Mr. Park to the reserve at the Northern or Kai Iwi boundary when that is finished a few days more completes the Whanganui work then we start for Otakapo a small reserve on the Turakino fishing lagoons thence across to the Rangitikei and up the river to Otara selecting the place for the two reserves sanctioned by your Excellency for the future location of friendly natives, while Mr. Park is surveying these reserves, after their position is selected I will go on to Manawatu and see what can be done there from what I have ascertained this afternoon the natives in that quarter are becoming gradually more disposed to part with some land. A few interesting Native cases have lately taken place at this Settlement of which as I was in some measure accessory to their adjudication I must give an account to your Excellency. The first of these were three cases of adultery among the natives themselves, these were decided on by the assessor in Hori Kingi's new house, the whole circumstances of the separate crimes underwent a careful investigation and the guilty parties were fined ten pounds each to be paid in canoes pigs produce and cash or such of those articles as could be most readily contributed by the offenders. The next cases were at the Resident Magistrates Court who requested my attendance. A man named Hair had some sheep of Mr. Harrisons under his charge they were allowed to run at large without a shepherd on the south bank of the river, the native dogs attacked and killed some of them two months ago, the dogs were seized and the suspected dog killed afterwards they again attacked the sheep I