Wairarapa, Septr. 5, 1853. Sir, I have the honor by direction of His Excellency the Governor to request that you will direct Mr. Assistant Surveyor Pelichet to proceed to Wairarapa with the least possible delay and place himself under my instructions to carry out certain surveys of external boundaries and Native reserves in this district. I intend that Mr. Pelichets surveying operations shall be for the present confined to the country on the coast in the neighbourhood of Mr. Bartons run, he will not therefore require very particular instruments beyond a field book prismatic compass and chain, but I shall furnish him with the necessary instructions immediately after his arrival here. I have the honor to remain, Sir, Your most obt. servant, Land Commissioner. Thomas Fitzgerald Esqre., Government Surveyor, Hawkes Bay, My dear Sir George, The Natives have been enjoying a little respite since the payment of the first instalment for the west side of the Wairarapa lake. I am in hopes of doing some business with them this week for Mr. Kellys and other home stations and land on the East side of the lake and I am negotiating for a tract of territory from the new line of road or the boundary of the last purchase to Waiohine the river you crossed in going from Morrisons to Mr. Borlaises but not including Bidwell or Morrisons stations and from Borlaises on to McDonalds I expect to have some difficulty from the numerous claimants some of them such as the Chief Ngatueri discontented obstinate parties concerned in this district but as it appears most essential for the Wellington people I must endeavour to get at least a portion as it has conveyed an impression that the Govt. were supporting an individual for his personal aggrandisement in the illegal possession of Native lands which was never recognised by the tribe as being ceded except under the influence of fear by a few individuals who were scarcely amenable under circumstances for their own acts. . . . . . . . . . being entrusted with such a large . . . . . . . having taken the lions share of the late payment here including rents arrears and sundry other spoils and contingencies from those who wish to keep on good terms with him. After looking over the correspondence and investigating the matter I am quite ashamed that the Govt. were ever in any way parties to Bartons imposition and occupation of land acquired under such a ridiculous tenure. In fact it had the appearance and in some measure the effect that the Govt. were supporting an illegal occupant on Native lands a private adventurer for his personal aggrandisement in his illegal and unjust occupation of native lands and I feel very anxious for a Surveyor or Surveyors to arrive in order that all boundary questions may be finally settled. Capt. Smith would be very useful for a few months if he would undertake the duty. My official reports will give all further information respecting my proceedings since Your Excellency left here and I shall not fail to communicate when anything of further importance occurs. ..........of it, I cannot yet form an idea how long these negotiations may take but it is most advisable to push them on while the Natives are in the humour as there is a chance of an unfavourable reaction which although I do not apprehend it much it may be as well to avoid especially as things are now going on so well. I think another thousand pounds at least should be ready to send up in case it is required. I have only £1070 in hand, having sent on £800 by te Wereta £300 of which is for artons sheep run and some additional land acquired there and the £500 for a good large block lying between Pahaua and Kaiwata on the coast this side of Warema, the object of sending this money on at once is to save time and induce the outstanding claimants to collect and arrange matters among themselves before I get there. Wereta was delighted at with being entrusted, etc.