Monday 19 October 57 My dear Sir The cutting of the boundary line proceeds satisfactorily. Mr. Parris commenced last Monday at Tururutangi with Mr. Octavius Carrington, and cut on to the river Maingaraka. The next day (Tuesday) was occupied with Natives and procuring supplies for the following day, when the work was resumed with the aid of 2 of the cadets (Hursthouse and Smith) placed at the disposal of Mr. Parris by the Superintendent, there bing no Surveyor here belonging to the General Government. The line has reached 4 miles and the Natives think it will take several days yet, before the river Waiongana is struck, which from their account runs a considerable distance before inclining towards the mountain, and I do not expect Mr. Parris back until he reaches the river. Some opposition exists to the line crossing Waiongana, and a party of Huirangi natives, headed by Arapata, are traversing the banks for the purpose of intercepting the working party. Influential natives have endeavoured to induce them to return and allow the working party to proceed unmolested but at present without effect, still I am not without hopes that the point will be amicably arranged, in the meantime Mr. Parris has no intention to proceed beyond Waiongana until Arapata consents. I should state that the line cutters are armed and with the escort for a numerous party, and that it was impossible to induce them to leave their arms behind. Mr. Parris has Mahau and Ihaia with him, but it is known that the former is opposed to the line crossing The river, and wishes it to be continued along the western bank until it approaches the Mountain, which would cut off many thousand acres. Ihaia wishes the line to be carried on to the Wakangerengere. Katatore again is not disposed to allow the line to be interfered with and told Parris not to trouble himself about Arapata, if he should fall in with him, but to withdraw with all his people, except one of the cadets who was to be left in charge of the hango (?) and for whom he (Katatore) would make provision and cut the line to the Wakangerengere himself. Mr. Parris declined this, as he is certain to decline any offer at all likely to lead to a collision amongst them. During the work of cutting the line, attempts were made by some leading natives to divert it, particularly to the eastward in order to find out the river Waiongana, but Parris objected, leaving the instrument to mark the line onwards. I hear from him that two or three spots of fern have been passed, one of which is from 150 to 200 acres in extent. I have not yet heard a syllable in confirmation of the rumours concerning the intentions of Ngatiruanui. A considerable number are now at Warea to witness the Kai ngarara ceremony, which comes off this morning, and should anything transpire amongst them, I shall hear of it through Mr. Riemenschneider. The native prisoner Pene, accompanied by some of his relatives and friends, was brought back by Paki on Saturday last and handed over to the jailer. This proves that the course adopted was the prudent one, and will not I think be thrown away upon the natives. I have written to Mr. Schnackenberg by this days mail about particulars of the above. I am waiting for Returns of the inland settlements at Mokau, before making up the Census which shall be forwarded as early as possible. Faithfully yours H. Halse To:- McLean Esq.