New Zealand House, August 8, 1845.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume II, Issue 65, 3 January 1846, Page 4

New Zealand House, August 8, 1845.

Si«, — I have had the honour to receive, and lay before the directors of the New Zealand Company, your letter of yesterday, representing the claims of yourself and other colonists to be indemnified (either by the company or the Go~ vernment) for the delay which has occurred in the fulfilment of the company's contract with you. In reply, I am instructed to inform you that, after giving the subject the most attentive consideration, the directors regret that they are unable to admit the justice of such a claim as preferred against the company. With respect to your own case, it is to be observed that, from the active share which you took in the earlier proceedings, they have always been in the habit of considering, that with the transactions of the company and the responsibilities it incurred* whatever these may have been, there was scarcely any one person so thoroughly and essentially identified as yourself. With respect to others, the directors have long felt the very distressing situation in which the colonists have been placed, have been sensible that such must inevitably be the result of the protracted non-adjustment of the questions relating to land, and have lost no opportunity of impressing thia fact upon the Government in the most forcible manner in their power. But to the misfortunes thus alluded to, the company has itself been subjected to a ruinous degree • and, 4eeply as they lament the state of circumi stances which you describe, they conceive that they are not responsible for it, and cannot justly be expected to make compensation ; produced, as it has been, by causes under which .they have themselves been fellow-sufferers with the colonists, over which they have had no control, and against which it has devolved upon them, in behalf of all, to struggle, without intermission of exertion, and, unfortunately, until almost the present moment, without prospect of success. - In conclusion, lam instructed to state, that occasion will be taken, from your letter, to bring the subject again under the immediate consideration of Her Majesty'? Government. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient servant, T. C. HARRINGTON. Dr. Evans, Reform Club. * Less dit count.

* Less dit count.