My dear Bell, On reference to the Wairarapa sketch map you will see that the Wharekaka plains --- Capt. Smiths run, Northwoods, Bidwells, Morrisons, and Donalds, besides some of Collins at te Ore Ore has yet to be purchased. I believe that the most of this can be acquired either now or in May next if you can with the aid of the Superintendant supply the necessary funds. These portions comprise the lands for which the Natives have been receiving the highest amounts of rent and it is most desirable even on that accountthat their title should be as speedily extinguished as possible. Everything is in good training at present with the Natives to make these purchases, and I would devote another week to these negotiations if you could send up £2000, or £3000 more it is worth every possible effort to get this troubelsome question settled and the lands thrown open for delection. There is upwards of £1000 in small sums among people in the valley for the purchase of certain portions of land at 10/- an acre, could some means be devised to facilitate under Capt. Smiths directions the selection of such lands of this description as parties may require on their paying to me the prices of the land they require for purchasing fresh land, this would not only facilitate and encourage the purchase of land on the spot and save the trouble and delay of getting cash from Wellington. In fact I have been so pushed for money and so anxious to carry on these purchases that I have already expended in purchasing land on the coast £250 that I have to pay into your office for land in the Castle Point district. I have also purchased horses and altogether expended upwards of £1000 for land situated on the coast towards Castle Point and at Ahuriri, for these sums the Natives have given the necessary receipts, and most of the parties who have made the advances will probably select land at your office instead of being repaid in cash.