Confidential. Sir, I have the honor to lay the following before you for favourable consideration, as showing the peculiar position in which I stand in connexion with the Govt. and Ngatiporou tribe and you will at once perceive the difficulty I shall have in doing my duty to Govt. without injury to myself. I also beg to submit a proposal which may meet the view of all parties and to allow me to do my duty honestly and untrameled by personal considerations. I have to request your kind indulgence and allow me to write unreservedly and so clearly define my true position. You are already aware of my connexion by marriage with Ngatiporou, my wife being of considerable note, by right of birth being higher than H. Potae, Ropata and others. She is the only child of the late Te Mahiwhakanehu o te Rangi sometimes known as Tamati Waka, who was the elder brother of Enoka Potae, Henares father and sons of Porourangi. She is also first cousin to the old Iharaira, and to Hata te Hokopaura and is admitted to have claims in almost every piece of land from Tologa Bay to Tokakuku B. of P. By the mother's side she has also many claims, but there are other children by another father. Ropata was brought up by my wife's father. H. Potae has much less interest in lands than my wife. I have stated the foregoing to show that as the Govt. has avowed a policy of acquiring lands in the district and Natives are now disposed to part with them, it will be very difficult for me to remain aloof from some interference, whereby I may be accused of opposing the Govt. It would be impossible I could stand supinely by to the injury of my children. In view of the circumstances of my connexion with Ngatiporou and the general wish of the tribe that I should negotiate the sale or lease of lands and the continual receipt of letters offerring blocks. I beg to submit the following proposition which I sincerely trust will meet your favourable consideration. Also allow me to add that I do not wish to interfere in any way with Mr. Wilson's district other than within the boundaries in which my connexion is so peculiar. I have to suggest that Govt. shall authorize me to acquire lands for them in the Ngatiporou district viz. from Te Mawhai to Whangaparaoa "Cape Runaway". I could either be allowed an increase of salary or a commission on lands approved of by Govt. I am certain I could acquire much land agreable to the tribe, whereas it is almost certain Mr. Wilson will get none without causing trouble and probably bringing on factious opposition. Trusting Sir that I have made the matter sufficiently clear, and that you at once perceive the delicacy of my position, I leave it to your kind consideration whether to use this document officially or returned to me as not entertained. I have the honor to be Sir, Your obedient Servant, T.W. Porter. Gisborne 23rd. Nov. 1874.