No. 6.
Walter Mantell, Esq., to Under Secretary Merivale.
Sir,—
In your letter of the 21st instant, which I have had the honour to acknowledge in a separate page 85communication, you inform me it is impossible to accede to my request for confirmation in me appointment of Commissioner of Crown Lands, until the circumstances of my case, including thy Native question, submitted to you on the 5th instant, have been more fully considered.
I hate the honour, in reply, to state for the information of the Right Honorable Mr. Secretary Labouchere, that I can have no desire to press the consideration of my request, so long as the success of my application on behalf of the Ngaitahu is doubtful, and that in the meantime I shall not apply to the Colonial Agent for salary.
With reference to the subject of my former correspondence, I would do myself the honour of suggesting that much valuable and relevant information might be obtained from the Hon. E. H. W. Bellairs, M.L.C., who is, I believe, now in London.
I have, &c.,
Walter Mantell.
Under Secretary Merivale.