Novr. 1st 1858 Dear Sir, You will see by my official that I have for the present failed in completing the purchase of the Hiriwanui's Land at Manawatu, he is most anxious that his Land should be surveyed, this I could not consent to, as that, I imagine would involve my making him acquainted with the quantity. I never saw the old saying of ''a little knowledge being a dangerous thing'' so thoroughly exemplified, as in the present negociations, I think it would assist me if you would write to the Hiriwanu on this subject, as he constantly refers to you as his authority for selling his land at so much per acre and demanding its survey he also expects to get better terms from you, in this he ought at least to be undeceived in justice to me and my position here. I believe that at the farthest this purchase is only delayed for a month or two. The other natives interested will not allow the sale of this Land to be stopped by any ''pakeke'' on the part of the Hiriwanu for any length of time. I have considered it best to leave Stewart to make a traverse of the boundaries and in the meanwhile I propose taking G. Smith to finish Kempthorne's survey at Ihurana and settle the price of that block. The Maori book of laws is at present in great request and the Natives generally anxious to get copies by purchase or otherwise I think it would be as well as they aremade for the public, that they should be in the reach of all indiscriminately (i. e.) to be bought in Wellington and Whanganui and elsewhere. I purpose trying to carry on Ihakara's offerof land at the Awa hou in the course of a day or two I shall immediately on my return to Wellington repay to sub Treasurer advances made by me to Grindell and Smith on their salaries and I will report on Smith's surveys next week. I have thought it better not to forward my official untill next mail as I have not yet seen Nepia and think it quite possible that some change may take place thro' his influence. I am Dr. Sir, your's obliged Will N. Searancke Donald McLean Esqre, AUCKLAND.