New Plymouth Manukapo October 17, 1857. Dr. Sir I am now engaged cutting the boundary line of the Block of land. Your kind favour dated 5th. inst. Halse has just sent me from Town to this place. We have already cut the line 4 miles from Tarurutangi and have not yet opened the Waiongana river I must therefore suppose this river can never have been correctly delineated on the Maps. The land so far is of excellent quality and to our gratification several hundred acres of Fern land interspersed in the frontage of the Block. You will be surprised to hear that some little opposition has arisen with Arapata of Huirangi to the land inland of the Waiongana river which Mahau is said to be the instigator of, which opposition the Hua, Nimia, of Ikamoana people (who are at last unanimous) want to put down by force, which of I will not consent to, believing I shall be enabled to do it more satisfactorily by moral persuasion sooner or later. I have a strong party accompanying the staff cutting the line on acct. of this opposition (for I prefered the staff of 13 only) which only effects the line beyond the Waiongana river I therefore feel it to be my duty to keep with them to prevent if possible any collision which which I do not anticipate --- for I have already given them to understand that if on arriving at the river I find they wish me to cease cutting the line any further, I shall then stop the work and let the river be the boundary therefrom to the Mountain, which is quite enough for inland at present, only that I presume the Government would prefer buying the land in any part of the island now rather than defer it to some future day when the land will have become more valuable and more difficult to acquire. Strange to say Mahau and most of the Mahoetae people are with us, when we arrive at the river I shall find if he is favourable to Arapata's opposition. We have some very interesting dicussions at night at our encampments, Raniera last night in a very good speech intimated to Mahau that he was rather suspicious of him for the reason that he did not boldly assert his wish for the line to be taken over the river. In reply Mahau said let us wait untill we get there and then we shall hear what the people say. They have all consented to abide by my wishes and if I find the question cannot be amicably arranged on the spot I shall then stop at the river and endeavour to settle the question myself or failing which let the River be the boundary as before stated. I am happy my proposals to Ihaia meet with your approbation, and beg to assure you that I shall do all that I can for him, for I consider he has been used rather badly by the Ninia people after the service he rendered them although as I before stated they are in the rut and know not how to get out of it --- for they appear anxious to please Katatore and Ihaia both which two parties are not agreed upon the Ikamoana question. I hope soon to enter upon the negotiations for the Waitara, when I shall want to make good use of I haia in conjunction with some others. I think I may say the question looks favourable although it is difficult to quote the feelings of the Natives upon the land question untill it becomes an open question. Katatore told Wm. King that he dreamt he saw you cutting a line of the Waitara land and that it was no use to suppose that I should not hear it, for he believed I was sure to get it. I want to settle for this Block before I get entangled with another for I find quite enough to do with one at a time when it becomes an open question. Mr. Leech tells me he has never been instructed to pay my salary. Mr. Richmond told me in a private letter that he should recommend my appointment to date from the first of June as per first offer. I have neglected to send you an a/c of presents do Natives but will do so soon after my return I am sorry to say the allowance is nothing compared with the demand which I have to submit to With kind regards I remain Dr. Sir Yours most respectfully Robert Parris. To D. McLean Esq. P.S. Your official communications I will answer as soon as I return. Thanks for your efforts in the case of Hemi Taka. I hope you will be able to get me compensation for I was to considerable expense. R. Parris. Finding I have a letter in my pocket which I received from Ihaia relative to the opposition mentioned in my letter I beg herewith to enclose the same for you. A proof of Ihaia's adherence to the cause of land selling. R. Parris.