10th. May 1858 Wellington. My dear Sir, Since you left Wellington I have comparatively speaking done nothing but still have never had a moment that I could call my own, I remained in Wellington for a week after you left and made the payments which we had previously arranged. I then proceeded up the Wairarapa staying three days at Greytown to await Mr. Revans who on account of the constant rain and floods was unable to meet me about the Papawai Mill. I received the key of the Mill and still hold it. I very much fear that a very bad feeling is again arising between te Manihera and Ngatuere on account of it. I shall continue to hold possession of the Mill untill some friendly arrangements is come to between them. Mr. Grindell arrived at Masterton on Thursday night the 6th. inst. and not bringing me any letters from Mr. Kempthorne respecting the Survey at Puketoi I am obliged to depend on his information corroborated by his native on how things are progressing in that District. It appears that Mr. Kempthorne has been during the whole time, that he has been engaged there been surveying a small Block of about 5 to 6000 acres, cutting lines and doing the survey so far as it has gone no doubt very correctly but I fear at a fearful expense, far more than what the land will be worth. My opinion is that Surveys such as Mr. Kempthorne is making are quite unnecessary in a heavily timbered Country like the 40 mile Bush. I therefore purpose so soon as I can get a little time to spare, I trust within a fortnight to go up myself into that part of the Country and make a rough sketch of it as will enable me to form some idea both of the quantity and quality of land in the different blocks offered for sale. Of course good surveys can be made if required next summer but at present I really do not wish that any surveys should be carried on in a distant and difficult to be got at places, the expenses of provisions and carriage really exceed the value of the land. I have on my own responsibility written to Mr. Kempthorne to alter the nature of his work that strict accuracy was not so much required as a good general plan or sketch and I really think that I would gladly dispense with his services as his very particular slow style of surveying never will answer for the land P. Dept. I will leave it to you to relieve me of what really is a very serious incubus and expense to this Dept. without any equivalent to show for it and write you officially in the same general terms. You mention that a sum of £20 was to be paid to Mr. Livin the Merchant on account of a Debt. of the Hapukus to Mr. Biggs. I have declined paying the sum, as I really, unless as a loan to the Hapuku do not know how this is to be done. You will oblige me by showing me how this is to be done. I spoke to Cooper and wished him to pay the Money for Hapuku but this he declined doing. You will see that I have commenced work at Masterton the upper part of the Valley and purpose working down buying up all the small pieces of land as I go. The extent will not be much but still the purchases will tend to prevent disputes about Boundaries. I return to the West Coast to Waikanai in the course of a few weeks to carry on the negotiations already commenced there, from Manawatu I hear nothing but will make some inquiries before I leave Wellington tomorrow evening and inform you on the same. Ihakara is either in Town (Wellington) or its neighbourhood. I purpose paying up all the back instalments one in Wairarapa at least of those that are clear immediately. I shall also feel obliged by your sending an authority to the Sub Treasurer to pay the salaries of Messrs. G. Smith, and Grindell, the former as Surveyor at the rate of £150 per annum, appointment dates from the 22nd. of April, and the latter as interpreter at the rate of 10/6 per diem, this is the rate that Mr. Grindell tells me he has hitherto been paid, and I have on my own risk paid him at that rate for the months of March and April and applied in vain to the sub-Treasurer who will not pay this sum as Salary tho willing to advance it as Cash to me I am Dr. Sir, Very truly yours Will N. Searancke.