IA 1 1840/531
National Archives Wellington
see Register Room

Partial transcript


1840 Aug 20	Respecting his dismissal as clerk of Bench.


"Sir, I have the honour to request that you will submit to His 
Excellency the Governor the enclosed letter." J. S. McFARLANE to 
the Colonial Secretary

20 Aug 1840 Port Nicholson
"Sir, A few days previous to the sailing of the Barque 
'Integrity' for this place, Your Excellency directed that I 
should act as Clerk to the Bench of Magistrates at Port 
Nicholson, and in my presence, desired Mr SHORTLAND, to instruct 
me to get the necessary police forms etc from the Clerk to the 
Bench, at the Bay of Islands, which forms Mr HAYES had just 
elected, and given to me, when one of the Government Boats Crew 
arrived and demanded them for Mr SHORTLAND. I also received a few 
letters from the Postmaster for Port Nicholson.


After the vessel had been some days at sea, Mr SHORTLAND  
requested me to deliver up to a Mr PATON all the letters in my 
possession and informed me without any comment that Mr PATON was 
appointed Clerk to the Bench of Magistrates at Port Nicholson.

Yesterday I sent Mr SHORTLAND a letter of which I annex a copy, 
and in reply was informed verbally by Mr PATON that Mr SHORTLAND 
had never appointed me HIS CLERK and therefore he declined giving 
any reason for superceding me.  My reason for thus trespassing on 
Your Excellency's valuable time is contained in the copy of the 
letter to Mr SHORTLAND. I furnished Mr SHORTLAND with a copy of 
this letter. J. S. McFARLANE to His Excellency the Governor


19 Aug 1840 Port Nicholson
"Sir, As you was pleased to nullify His Excellency Captain 
HOBSON's promise to me that I should act as Clerk to the Bench of 
Magistrates at Port Nicholson without acquainting me with any 
reason for your doing so I intended on my return to the Bay of 
Islands to solicit an explanation, with a view to prevent His 
Excellency forming an unfavourable opinion of me as regards 
either my fitness or worth for the situation, but having 
ascertained within the last few days that I am to remain here for 
some months I have the honour respectfully to request that you 
will furnish me with your motive for superceding me in order that 
I may accomplish my purpose by letter." J. S. McFARLANE to 
Willoughby SHORTLAND."