Wellington 21st March 59 My dear Sir, I have to state in reply to your letter of yesterday that I require Mr. Riddiford to desist from paying any rent to the Natives for his land leased from them at Orongorongo, as I was in treaty with them to purchase it for the Govt. The Native title has not been extinguished as provided for by the 6 clause of the Native reserves Act 56 nor do I consider the land in question as under the jurisdiction of the Commissioners of Native reserve until the Native owners have unanimously agreed to convey it for the purposes of the said Act. I would advise that this question should be postponed until the conflicting rights of the Natives over the land are adjusted. I remain, My dear Sir, Yours truly, Donald McLean