From his Honor the Superintendent Auckland, to Mr W. H. Farnall.

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, dated the 10th March, in reply to mine of the 10th December last.

In reply I have to state that, until after the question of modifying the present land laws of the Province has been considered by the Provincial Council (now in session) and by the General Assembly (shortly about to meet) no further instructions can be conveyed to you. The power to issue land orders under the Act of 1867 cannot be exercised until the authority for such issue has been renewed by the Legislature.

In the meantime, you are at liberty to act in every other respect as Immigration Agent on behalf of this Province, without reference to any instructions which may be given by the Agent-General in London.

I hope, within a few months hence, to be in a position to entrust the agent for Auckland with as full powers as are now exercised by agents for other Provinces, who are authorised by the Superintendents to act independently of, but as far as possible in co-operation with, the Agent-General of the Colony.