No. 2.
The Hon. the
Colonial Secretary to Mr.
Mantell.
Colonial Secretary's Office,
Wellington, 14th April, 1851.Sir,—
With reference to your communication of the 13th ultimo, offering certain suggestions relative to the contemplated purchase and partial exploration of the southern portion of the Middle Island, I am directed to inform you that His Excellency has had the subject under his consideration, and that as you executed the duties on which you were previously engaged, in purchasing so large a portion of the Middle Island, in a very satisfactory manner, His Excellency thinks you have established a fair claim to be intrusted with the charge of purchasing the remaining portion of that Island, for the due performance of which duty the experience and knowledge of such subjects which you have already acquired must specially qualify you.
I am therefore to add, that you will be employed on the service alluded to in the first part of this letter about the middle of August next; and that if arrangements cannot be made for sending you to the southward in the Government brig, His Excellency will endeavour to charter for that purpose the whaling schooner which is at present attached to the "Acheron."
I have, &c.,
Alfred Domett,Colonial Secretary.
Walter Mantell, Esq.