Chap. XI. LIEUT. SHORTLAND ASSUMES GOVERNMENT.' 267 
vainly seeking to decide between " yours very truly," 
" your obedient humble servant," and " sincerely 
" yours," he generally stumbles into the most unappro- 
priate formula which he could select. Willoughby 
Shortland could not appreciate the dignity of simply 
signing his assumption of the office. 
But, apart from the absurdity of the confused 
wording at the end, there was a serious objection to 
the continuance of the Acting Governor as Colonial 
Secretary; for, if he should die, no one would be 
authorized to take the reins of Government. 
His Excellency, however, wrote to Colonel Wake- 
field the expression of his eager desire to be friendly 
towards the settlers, and approved, in general terms, 
of his proposal for an arbitration. He professed the 
utmost anxiety to promote the speedy adjustment of 
the land-claims ; and promised that when these had 
been once arranged, no interference on the part of the 
natives should be allowed. 
Colonel Wakefield therefore determiijed to go to 
Auckland in order to confer with his Excellency on 
the nature of the arrangements proposed. Mr. Spain, 
who had not yet concluded a single case, agreed to 
accompany him. They went in a schooner of 50 tons 
on the 12th of October. 
Sanguine hopes, so long smothered, again prevailed 
among the settlers. The Acting Governor had begun 
well. He had given Nelson a County Court ; and 
promised to make the colonial brig at least of use by 
keeping up a more constant communication between the 
different settlements. 
The Auckland press might certainly be termed a 
phoenix of its kind. The fourth newspaper within 
twelve months had now risen from the ashes of its pre- 
decessor, under the name of the ' Times,' and began 
