who expressed their willingness to accede to His Excellency's proposals, without reference to the absentees, have accordingly submitted their claim for investigations; a surveyor and myself having travelled with them over their several patches on the North side of the river; all of which are distinctly defined by ancient boundary marks, but are scarcely accessible, from being intersected with the lands of opposing natives, who I have reason to hope, will also soon become sensible, and be convinced of the permanent advantages to themselves of an amicable adjustment, and final surrender of the lands required from them. I have etc., etc., etc., (Signed) Donald McLean. To:- The Honourable The Colonial Secretary. Taranaki. New Plymouth. 4th. December 1847. Sir, I do myself the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letters numbered and dated, (Nos. 56, 57, 58, 59, 60) the separate contents and replies to which shall receive at an early opportunity my particular consideration and attention. I have etc., etc., etc., (Signed) Donald McLean. Inspector of Police. To:- The Honourable The Colonial Secretary. Taranaki. New Plymouth 4th. December 1847. Sir, I do myself the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your communication, No. 61, of the 20th. ult., instructing me that as there are some arrangements in progress of adjustment between Her Majesty's Government and the New Zealand Company, the precise nature of which the Governor is not at present acquainted with, it is expedient that all further arrangements with the natives for the purchase of land should be, for the present, suspended; and that although His Excellency wishes you to carry these instructions immediately into effect, it must be so managed as not to excite the least apprehension amongst the natives at Taranaki; to effect which it will perhaps be sufficient to state that the Government does not wish at present to purchase any more land in that district. In furtherance of the above instructions, I beg to inform you that all surveying and other operations in progress for the purchase of land, shall be forthwith discontinued, and that every precaution shall be adopted to prevent unnecessary sensation amongst the natives. I have, etc., etc., etc., (Signed) Donald McLean Inspector of Police. To:- The Honourable The Colonial Secretary.