Wanganui 20th. Oct. 1859 My dear Sir I had a letter from Walter Gudgeon the other day telling me he had met you at Castlepoint, I had Intended writing to you some weeks ago but we have had so many different reports of your whereabouts that I really did not know where or when a letter might reach you, the last report was that you were actually at Otaki on you way up and would arrive here in a few days. The Waitotara survey has been completed as you will have heard, from Mr. Porter I have made several trips out there to see how things are going on and to render any assistance to Mr. Porter that I could. I must tell you however that the natives are getting impatient about your delay they want the money for the Block, and they hint rather broadly that if it is not settled soon it will come to nothing, I heard hints to that effect the last time I was there a week ago, I should have told you this before only that I felt certain from the reports I heard that you were on your way up, that I thought it probable the letter would miss you on the road. If you can think of any things that I can do perhaps you will let me know and I will do it at once. Aropeta still adheres to his resolution about his Reserve I of course did not interfere at all with him but told him to remain quiet till he saw you about it. Will It be any good making enquiries about the other reserves? If so, you will let me know. There have been several ''Komitis'' about the Patea block. I had a letter the other day from Pehimanu telling me that the Ngatiruanui of Patea had agreed to sell their land, I went over to Waitara at his request to hear about, the report was exaggerated of course but from what I have heard I am fully of opinion that if the Waitotara block is settled for soon and the Govt. wishes to purchase the Patea Block that it is to be done. Any information that I may hear I will communicate to you immediately as I hear from Walter Gudgeon that you probably will not be here before the races. With regard to the extra block of land I told you of up the Wanganui I find it is only a small strip of a few chains higher up that the present boundary. The Native quarrel up the River appears to have died a natural death, I tried to get Topini down to have the affair investigated but he seems disinclined to come, Hemi and some other natives were present on one occasion but the Board appeared to think that as all the parties were not present it would be useless to go into the matter. Since which I have been told that the Natives wish the matter to drop. They say blood has been shed on both sides and they have made peace, and accordingly dont wish the matter revived. However if you still wish it to proceed I will do what I can to get them together again. I had a conversation with Mons Lampila some weeks ago who asked me to try to get back the Vestments etc. that Hemi had in his possession; as far as his own personal effects were concerned he did not care about them but he was very anxious to get back the church property as he feared it might be damaged by remaining in a Maori Pa and he was quite willing to have the affair settled amicably and to make friends; I saw Hemi and told him about it and he partly agreed to it only he said as the goods were in the hands of some of his young men, he should have to get their consent but advised me to let the matter stop where it was for a short time and he would try what he could do. I am thinking of making a trip up the river with Dr. Gibson shortly on my return I will send you a report upon it, we are thinking of going beyond Topinis place. If you were to write by return of mail I might get your letter before we start. I remain Sir Your obt. servt. Saml. Deighton.