I would copy at greater length from the Despatch, only it detains; and possibly the original will have reached you before this does. All land negotiations have been quietly suspended to await His Excellency's further instructions; when we hope to have the satisfaction of shortly seeing him here. By the Wellington papers received to-day, it appears the new Constitution will come into operation in January next; but, however applicable it may be to the larger settlements, a small community like ours would be much better under the rule of an energetic and concentrated Government then be subject to popular legislative Assemblies, where there is likely to be a great deal of factions party feeling introduced, and for some time nourished; and in the event of any difficulties with the natives, we should feel the absence, in such Societies, of two indespensible ingredients for restoring peace, - which are secrecy and despatch. But, however, I think I must not go too far with a subject, with which I am scarcely sufficiently well acquainted, to hazard an opinion. I have finished a Census and Return of the European population, which I shall furnish to Capt. King at the close of the year, for Official transmission to Auckland. We have numerous cases of aggravated whooping cough, that proves very fatal to the native children; and indeed, it has attacked the old and young of both races indiscriminately; and even some who have taken it in the usual course at Home. The slow fever which I previously notices has almost entirely disappeared. The crops look very healthy, and we look forward to a most propitious harvest; which, if seen by our unfortunate countrymen who are starving at Home, would form a strong inducement to their making this their adopted home. I remain my dear Sir, Yours very truly, (Signed) Donald McLean.