Chap. XIX. AUCKLAND OFFICIALS. 5Q5. 
land papers to have been principally employed in the 
management of a speculation for monopolizing the 
supply of stationery from Sydney to the Government 
offices at Auckland. Notwithstanding the mischief 
vrhich ensued from his negligence and callousness of 
feeling, he will soon sink into oblivion. 
Mr, Cooper, another of Captain Hobson's train, and 
for some time one of the e<r officio Legislative Coun- 
cillors, had proved a defaulter to the Customs revenue, 
of which he was Collector, to the amount of 2500/. 
Mr. Freeman, the only one of their number who 
could write a despatch, had been taken out of the 
debtor's jail on " day-liberty " for many months past, 
for this indispensable purpose. On the resignation of 
Lieutenant Shortland, Captain Fitzroy had appointed 
Mr. Freeman to the vacant office of Colonial Secre- 
tary. But several of the other officials and leading 
people at Auckland intimated that their wives would 
be unable to meet Mr. Freeman's wife at his Excel- 
lency's house ; so that the office was again taken from 
that gentleman, and conferred on a Mr. Sinclair, who 
had made Captain Fitzroy 's acquaintance at Sydney, 
whither he had proceeded as surgeon of a convict- 
ship. 
Immediately on the arrival of the frigate at Wel- 
lington, a notice was sent on shore and circulated, that 
a levee would be held by the Governor on Saturday, 
the next day, at two o'clock. 
Considering the short notice, the levee was very 
numerously attended. On landing, the Governor was 
greeted w^ith cordial acclamations of welcome from a 
large assemblage of the best settlers in the colony. 
They appeared determined to prove their confidence in 
his favourable intentions towards them. 
The arrangements for the levee were rather undig- 
nified; no aide-de-camp, sentries, or constables had 
