July, 1858. Otaki, 26th July, 1858. Dear Sir, I arrived here on Saturday Evening and return to Waikanae this morning I have been compelled to consent to the eka eka notion in that block which if I had a Surveyor should be completed immediately the block contains about 76,000 Acres and I think the proposed reserves to about 6,000 acres I have not as yet come to any arrangement respecting price but do not propose a larger sum than 6d per acre As I am writing you officially on this subject I only request that you will answer mine with as little delay as possible, as I shall myself commence the Surveys immediately, and only await a communication from you to complete the arrangement. The subject on which I more particularly wish to call your attention is the subject of the Letter written by Nepia Taratoa to you on the I believe 22nd inst., I do trust that no encouragement may be given to him in the matter of sub division of their Lands, if the Manawatu Land is to be sold, let it be in one block and to this sale, Nepia is I know, willing to consent, his letter to you is for the satisfaction of his friends, let him understand this fairly that the Land on this south side of Manawatu is for them, together with one large block at Rangitikei where their Mill is situated and I believe there will be no difficulty Nepia now stands almost alone, most of his friends "te pupuri whenua" having consented to the sale I have just received a letter from him in which he tells me that he has written to you and requests me not to go on to Manawatu at present untill he receives an answer from you I cannot however accede to his wishes as I want to see the Rangitane Natives about the 70 Mile bush the negociation on which is at present at a stand still, I find Rawiri and Tamehana of great assistance to me Matene I rather mistrust --- I most sincerely hope that there will be no more encouragement given to the eka eka system at present the trouble is endless --- or if there i is to be, let it be fairly understood that the Land must be in the first place conveyed to the Crown and the portion reserved for the eka eka pointed out on the Ground and to be as a place for their occupation and not speculation which I am inclined to believe they are inclined to make of it I can only repeat how glad I should be to see you down here again if only for a few weeks as the work begins to increase wonderfully and I believe that it only requires your assistance now to complete the purchase of the West Coast from Porirua to Rangitikei. I am, Dr. Sir Very truly yours Will N. Searancke D. McLean Esqre. Auckland