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Point, where I wish you to wait for me. McDonnell arrived here during my stay. However, I happened to find out that he was coming down here to do a little electioneering, as well as land purchasing. Timoti Puhipi told me that " the Government had been deceiving the Natives, by saying that they wanted the land for the purpose of settlements, while it was bought to enable them to borrow more money in England." Do you see? While here the gallant Colonel entertained me with one of the most doleful recitals it has ever been my fate to listen to. Allah Kerim ! the treatment this bellipotent individual has received at the hands of the Native Minister is simply scandalous ; but as you have no doubt had specimens of the wily claptrap, I shall not annoy you with recapitulation. Neverless I cannot refrain from remarking that any human carcase so stuffed with empty pride, invective, and ingratitude is anything but a safe associate; nay I'll even go further, and would ask you to keep a good look-out ahead, lest you be drawn into some of those gaping vortices, ever ready to suck you in if you should happen to get inside the periphery of their attractive power. As for jaw, 0 Lord !I am verily a convert to the Biblical definition of the power of the jawbone of an ass in smiting Philistines, after having been belaboured for six solid hours by the jawbones of this military elegist. Tou believed him when he said that he had permission to join Stannus Jones in the Otawa purchase, though I never did, and since then I have paid a deposit upon the land fronting this castle in Spain of his, as I deny his rights to speculate while ostensibly serving the Government. Mind you, lam too well acquainted with the fact that feigned obeisance to the powers that be is often (perhaps very often) of great advantage to the fawning parasite, and I have myself been most assiduously traduced by one or two of this reptile species of the genus Homo, whose peculiar idiosyncracy is a most aggravating affability, and, you may believe me, I have not forgotten the bureaucratic power .of these otherwise empty vessels. Now, Brissenden, I would advise you again and again to give this official pessimist plenty of sea room : avoid him as you would the yellow-jack. One person told me that he asked him to sigu a blank receipt, and while we were at Ahipara yesterday, he did not pay his bill openly, but went into another room to hold a conference with the publican (Berrigan or Berghan), which to say the least seemed strange, especially as his account could not have been more than £1 or £1 10s. Think as you like, but listen to me : say nothing, but sheer off, and keep your weather-gage. After this little bit of traverse-sailing, I'll come to an anchor. Tours, &c, Chaeles E. Nelson. I hereby certify that this is a correct copy —W. S. Moorhouse.

CORRESPONDENCE LAID BEFORE THE COMMITTEE. Mr. S. Jones to Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell. [Extracts only.'] Northern Club, Auckland, 13th September, 1875. I don't know that I have any letters or documents about our land, except the letter I wrote last August, when in Wellington, to McLean. He distinctly told me it was all right, but not to take more than 5,000 acres. I explained exactly what I was about, and said I was disappointed through the Maoris, and did not wish to be again. Brissenden assured me there would be no difficulty, but I think he intended always that I should not have it. Except that letter, T have no other document. I could repeat conversations I have had with 8., but what is the good ? He told me that Pollen had asked him to lease some place at the Kaipara, called Buhela, near Pollen's run, and that he (B.) said he would cut it off" in making the Government purchase. Pollen told him he did not want to appear in the matter. This conversation B. told me took place when they were going to "Wellington together Tours, &c, Stanntts Jones. Major Geeen to Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell. Dear McDonnell, — Auckland, 29th September, 1875. I hasten to reply to your note. I distinctly recollect your coming into my office and telling me you told Dr. .Pollen about Brissenden spreading certain reports about him (the Dr.) wanting B. to purchase a block of land for him; and I also recollect you saying that you had written officially to Sir D. McLean about some offer Brissenden made to you relative to purchase of land. I was called upon by Clarke to say whether I had a certain letter recorded in my office. I replied, " No." I ■will never back oat of anything; and I shall face any disagreeable duty for any friend. Why do you not ask Dr. Pollen about this circumstance ? All I know is, that you came into my office from his, and told me what you had informed him of Brissenden. In great haste. Tours, &c, Edwabd Geeen. Colonel McDonnell to Sir G. Gset, K.C.B. Sib,— Wellington, September 16th, 1875. The dates 18th, 19th, and 20th of October in my diary will prove I had my suspicions that some unfair play was going forward about kauri bushes, that has since been pretty well established by evidence. I have the honor to enclose the diary in question. When I had the long conversation with Sir Donald in Auckland about Mr. Brissenden's statements and offers to myself, and which I afterwards at his request put in writing, I could not help feeling that Mr. Brissenden had used the influence he had to get me removed, so that he could carry out his plans to cut kauri bushes out from the land I had purchased for the Government; and I had, previously" to my conversation with the Hon. the Native Minister, been told by him that after the Victoria.' Valley purchase was completed there would be no more employment for me, and that I had better petition the House. But on Sir Donald's return from Waikato, Major Green, the Government Agent,

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