The Hutt 25 Decr. 1858 My dear Sir, The general holyday will give me an opportunity to write you on all my troubles but first I must wish you all the usual complements of the season, I am myself spending my Christmas with Carlyon who you will remember at Ahuriri and from whom I have received many kindnesses, I purpose staying here but a very short time to forward deeds etc. etc. to Auckland and shall then return to the Wairarapa. I have not received any direct communication from the Natives on the West Coast and shall not there fore return there just yet but purpose sending Grindell on there on Monday to ascertain the present feeling of the Natives, but so far as I can understand from the Natives the step I took in making the advance at Manawatu will be productive of the sale of a very large block. The Rangitikei Natives are also getting very troublesome wanting to sell in spite of Nepia and Co. I shall be obliged if you would send me by return of Steamer an authority to receive the Interest (and Principal where required) of the loans made by you to Europeans in Wairarapa, perhaps a general authority will be best. I have not received any letter from Stewart this month but from what the Natives tell me he is getting on very well and will I think in another month have the whole survey of the Hiriwanui's land completed. Mr. Richmond gave me an verbal authority to employ any surveyors that I reguired but not to exceed the rate of £200 per annum, as I find it impossible to get men at that rate or even £300 per annum, I really shall feel obliged if you would take it upon yourself to send me down another Surveyor from Auckland let him be unmarried, I am at a complete stand still as I will not makeany purchase in the Wairarapa Valley without a defined survey, and I have already written so frequently to Auckland about the want of Surveyors in my department in this district that I shall not officially write any more on the subject. Good surveyors laugh at the idea of £200 per annum and very justly too, I am confident that I could make double my salary at surveying. By the bye, Roy the provincial Engineer has resigned and the P. Govt. are in a fix to get a successor for him. Rawiri's affair at Motu piri I have settled, he refused the money I had therefore no option but to put him in possession of what he was justly entitled (viz. 100 acres at Motu piri) and this I have done taking a portion of a Section sold by the pro. Govt. to a European and a portion of the Ferry reserve at Tauherenikau and a capital and valuable section it is, I have explained to him that as soon as he can he must leave his present place and remove to his section. It would be a very hard thing on him to compel him to leave his crops of Wheat, Potatos etc. - that difficulty is thank God settled, and you will see that I have completed the purchase of Bidwells House to his immense delight. The Hiriwanu's letter I shall forward to him by Grindell at once. I need hardly say how gratified and relieved I felt at reading your remarks on the rumours of your resignation, which from their constant repetition I had almost begun to believe myself, I candidly confess that I entirely depend on you in my numerous difficulties in this Dist. and consequently feel thankful that you may still be depended on as the C.C. I wish you all success in your hegociating at Coromandel and the northward. dined with Strang yesterday and congratulated him on being ten years younger at least both in manner and in age. He appears to be much pleased with his visit to Auckland, the attentions he received appear to have gratified him, and his Grandson he was delighted with, but above all, he flatters himself that instead of his being spoilt by one person (himself) in Wellington, he is now in a fair way of being spoilt by all bis relations in Auckland. Mr. S. also speaks very highly the attention paid to him by the Gentry of Auckland and do not doubt of his return there within twelve months. I beg you will consider my remarks on my difficulty with regard to Surveyors and send me down at least one. The difficulty in the Wairarapa never can be cleared up untill it is properly surveyed. I should be most happy if you can get another person to act as Commissioner in the District to undertake the Surveyor's work at the same salary as at present, for I cannot afford much longer to hold my present appointment, the expenses being too heavy. Is there any reason why the Manaia and Tirohanga Blocks are not gazetted so that they may be put into the Market, the demand for Land here is really astonishing anything or any sort will sell - also my late purchase at Waikanae I think the sooner it is gazetted the better for me. As Wi Tamehana, Raniera and the other Natives interested now wish the Money which you lent on interest in their behalf I shall be obliged to trouble you to give notice to the Revd Mr. Hutton who is now in Auckland that the sum of £125 with interest from 1st. October 1853 to date of repayment will be required to be repaid to me in the first week in April of this year as I have promised the Natives that the money shall be handed to them in that month. Another subject on which I should like some information is why a portion only of Taratahi etc. purchase has been opened for sale, there is a large part of this Block towards the Mr. Borlase's Homestead including it which for some reason has never been opened for sale also a small block adjoining Mr. Bidwells homestead purchased by you of Waka Tahuahi and named Wharehanga on the Deed. I mention these matters privately as I believe they can be easily settled by yourself in a few words. I am at present busy making up the account of Sales of Land on which 5 per cents are due and find it dividing the purchases in the fifferent blocks a most troublesome operation, I believe it will be best to have the 5 per cent question settled at once. The more so that the Natives at Turanganui are anxious that the amount due to them should be spent in building a mill (flour). On this subject I think I ought to have the opinion of the C.C. and also N.M. I have changed my mind and adress you officially respecting Surveyors at the same time do not withdraw my wishes on the subject. My having been delayed here so long enables me to inform you that on Monday the 3rd. January I start for Maungaraki to again try and complete that purchase as the Natives now appear anxious to have it settled. I hear vague reports of your intention to pay us a visit here, I trust there is some truth in them, as I shall be most happy to see you. I think I have written you on every subject now pressing on me, but really my brains are getting turned ever yours My dear Sir, most truly, Will N. Searancke.