Reply.
The Hon. the Colonial
Secretary, Auckland, to J. Flight, Esq., New Plymouth.
Gentlemen,—
Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, 30th August 1849.In reply to your memorial, dated the 18th ultimo, praying that Government would purchase lands at Taranaki, and that "His Excellency would speedily visit Taranaki, or, at least, direct that' Mr. McLean be kept among "you, I have the honour to inform you that it is with very great regret His Excellency has found himself prevented, by duties of the most pressing kind, from visiting New Plymouth so frequently as he would have desired. If no unforeseen event, however, occurs, the Governor will be able to visit Taranaki at a very early period in the summer, and will feel great pleasure in attending, as far as lies in his power, to the wants of the memorialists.
His Excellency will direct that Mr. McLean return to New Plymouth immediately the land purchases in which he is now engaged are completed, and for the future he will be kept at Taranaki as much as possible, but his services are found so valuable that it is feared it will yet be necessary to employ him occasionally in important negotiations in other parts of the colony.
I have, &c.,
Andrew Sinclair.
Colonial Secretary.
J. Flight and G. Cutfield, Esqs., and other gentlemen signing the memorial.