Stapleton, Coromandel Augt. 23, 1858. Dear Sir Since I wrote to you last I have purchased Wainuiatoto and about 400 acres more of the Mercury also two of the Islands and two small islands the islands will contain about 600 acres the whole of the purchase that I have made up to this date is about 4500 Acres taking the whole it has been purchased a trifle under 3s per acre I have had to give more for some than I wished but I found that it was needful to do so to make a commencement I think that we are now sure of the whole of the Mercury and all the Islands around. Waiau block is as yet at a stand I shall have one peice of it about 350 acres when Horopeta returns which I expect will be in about a week the other part will I think come in as Wainuisto to is purchased there will be several peices in Whangapoa offered should you come down it will be needful for you to bring some cash as I shall not have near enough to complete the purchases Karaitiana is I believe gone over to see you I trust that you may be able to settle with him as I find him a very dissatisfied man to have anything to do with. Panoa sent me word to say that he had nothing to do with disatisfaction expressed by Karaitiana I can only act in all cases as I am instructed to do whether individuals a pleased or not Please to excuse haste and believe me to remain Yours truly James Preece D. McLean Esq. Land purchas Department