occasioned death, two cases of sudden death occurred here within the last week one was that of a soldier who was found dead and buried up in mud or dung in a stockyard not far from the public house. No notice whatever seemed to have been taken of the circumstance and being a soldier I did not interfere. On Friday last another man named Hobbs a carpenter from Wellington was found dead in his bed some slight notice as far as sealing up the mans effects was taken of this and I called on Major Wyatt to request a more formal enquiry should be instituted as these circumstances occurring and passed unnoticed by the magistrates was a certain inducement to crime of which some of the many bad characters about Whanganui would take advantages by considering themselves at liberty to commit murder without fearing the results. An enquiry into the circumstances was held this forenoon at the Police Court which properly speaking should have taken place before the body was removed on the day of his death he was however examined by Dr. Rees and appears to have died from overflow of blood in the head. This and circumstances which have previously occurred induced the Magistrates today to address your Excellency through the Colonial Secretary for a district Coroner and I am quite of opinion that Dr. Rees would be a most eligible person for such an appointment neither do I conceive that he would expect any further remuneration for performing such a duty than the usual fee paid to a medical man when his attendance is required for such an occasion. Two or three circumstances of death by murder and death by poison have been stated to me as having occurred at this place whether these aspersitions have any truth in them or not it is quite impossible now to decide, but such whisperings attach a certain stigma to a place of which it may be altogether undeserving. There are many deaths at present among the natives and sickness is more than usually prevalent. Hoping your Excellency will forgive the freedom with which I have introduced some of the subjects in this letter, I remain, etc. etc. Donald McLean.