Private Waipukurau 9th June 1863 My dear Maclean Mr. Locke Hapuku and Hori and I have had a long talk today again about the disputed land near my gate, and I have agreed to leave the whole matter for you to settle. Mr. Locke and I both think it most desirable that this matter should be settled finally. It is plain that the natives fancy the Map by which the Government sold to me takes in a small piece near the Gate, and I would recommend that a small payt. should be made to them to complete the purchase of the disputed piece which may be about ten acres. It is more to settle an unpleasant dispute than for the value of the land. I think I mentioned to you that Hori and other natives at the Pah Waipukurau had leased to me a portion of the reserve, but it seems that Hapuku asserts a claim, and altho' quite willing to sanction the lease, he wishes to be a party and proposes that I should have an additional portion of the reserve - the broken and sometimes flooded part In front of the Pah - that is between the Pah and River. He wishes a further rent of £20 a year for this, but this is greatly more than it is worth as it is open and grazed on at all times by numbers of native horses and cattle, and I cant prevent this, even if it were desirable to shut them out of everything on this side of the River except about 25 acres running along the back of the Wares. The Lease from Hori is for 10 years - if they agree to make the Lease for 21 years I will agree to give them £40 a year - which would be £20 for Hapuku and £20 for Hori. If Hapuku agrees to this I will pay Hapuku the additional £20 for this year, and so on each year. Next year Hori would receive £20 instead of £25. I know this is rather irregular to ask you to interfere in a matter of this sort, but Hapuku has agreed to to leave it to you and I know he has confidence in you. Hapuku goes to Napier to see you on Friday and I have written this as Goodwin's hastily, and so dark that I scarcely know what I am writing. Yours faithfully H. R. Russell