Letter from Governor Darling to Sir G. Murray.

I do myself the honor to transmit herewith a letter addressed to you by Mr. Thomas Raine, merchant of Sydney, on the subject of registering a vessel at this port which was built at New Zealand.

Mr. Raine has stated the case so fully in the enclosed letter that I am not aware, sir, I can add anything which would be useful on the subject. I beg, however, to express my opinion that in a political point of view it appears highly desirable that Mr. Raine, and such persons as are disposed to form establishments at New Zealand, should receive every possible encouragement. The intercourse which would take place between our people and the natives would tend more than anything else page 686 to the civilization of the New Zealanders, and promote a friendly understanding which at some future period may be of importance.

I beg to enclose the opinion of the Crown lawyers of this Government, that the vessel in question could not legally receive a register at this port.