Taranaki. New Plymouth. 1st. October 1849. Sir, I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 49/785 of the 10th. ultimo, respecting the Northern boundary of the Rangitikei purchase being left open, desiring me to report on the subject, and conveying His Excellency the Lieut. Governor's instructions, as to the definite marking out upon the ground, of the boundary, and the general course to be pursued in adjusting boundaries of purchases, where the interests of rival tribes may be concerned. The only boundary in the Rangitikei purchase, which is not in any way marked upon the ground, is the interior boundary between the Rangitikei, however far inland extending, have been extinguished, as expressed in the following clause, from a translation of the Original Deed of Sale:- "The boundaries of the land, which we now entirely and for ever give up, are these, - The river of Rangitikei on one side, and the sea on one side, and the river of Turakina on one side, going inland as far as our interior claims extend," I considered, when negotiating with the natives, that I should be acting more fully in accordance with that portion of the first clause of your instructions of the 12th. December last, which has reference to boundaries, if I did not suggest any particular inland boundary. The words of these instructions, which I shall here quote, to save you the trouble of reference, are:- "When the boundaries of these claims upon the Coast are marked, the Reserve will be ascertained and defined; then the whole claim, however far inland extending, having in every case, been purchased, the mere registration of the Reserve will be the registration of the entire native claims, without attempting to define the exact inland extent; instead of suggesting in the first instance, as the boundary of the desired purchase, any great range of mountains, or other natural feature of the country." Anticipating, however, that some difficulties might here-after arise, if the inland boundary was not actually marked upon the ground, I arranged with the Ngatiapa tribe that they should accompany me in a body during the summer months to the interior, to point out the exact inland termination of their claims; some of which extend as far as Otara, a settlement at present inhabited by a migrative band of Taupo natives, whose claims and right to reside there are disputed by the Ngatiapa; who also object to their receiving any payment for land to whicj they have not a hereditary or legitimate right. The largest claimant in that direction is an old Chief of the Ngatiapa, named Hori te Rangiai, who promises to settle and keep possession for the Europeans, of the interior land, disposed of by him to the Government. The inland boundary of that part of the purchase, situated on the North bank of the Wangaehu, was visited by Mr. Park and myself, and the direction of the boundary on to the Wanganui block, pointed out to us by the natives. In conclusion, therefore, I have to observe, that in pursuance of the directions conveyed in your letter of the 10th. ult. I will take the earliest opportunity at my disposal to have an interior boundary line between the Rangitikei and Turakina rivers, accurately laid down and decided. I have the honour to remain Sir, Your most obedient servant (Signed) Donald McLean Inspector of Police. To:- The Honourable The Colonial Secretary Wellington. Mr. Domett, Inform Mr. Fox of this reply, and that the terms of the instructions quoted by Mr. McLean, were directed by the Governor-in-Chief, who considered it very desirable to extinguish the whole of the rights of the Ngatiapa tribe inland, - without defining their extent at first; and to determine which, might have raised disputes, and prevent the acquisition of the district for a lengthened period. I do not imagine much difficulty will exist in completing the boundary lines as suggested by Mr. McLean, in that manner. (Signed) G. Eyre.