Woburn December 27th. 1858. My dear Sir, Hearing from Mr. Strang that you are not likely to visit this province for some time, I venture to address you on a subject of great importance to myself, and in which I beg your assistance as an old friend, namely the Run I rented of the Natives at "Orongorongo" bearing date April ist., 1848; you are aware I had the sanction of Sir G. Grey and yourself to continue to occupy the land at the time you paid a deposit to the natives of £30 for the purchase of a portion of the "Orongorongo" lands, and on that faith I have purchased the whole of the company's land there namely 500 acres. I must now inform you that a few days since I received a note dated the 17th. December from Mr. G. Luxford giving me notice to remove all my stock from the Native Reserves in the district of "Orongorongo" by the 1st. Jany. 1859 and on enquiry I am informed that Mr. St. Hill as Native Trustee (without giving me the slightest intimation) had let to them this land (well knowing that I had been in the occupation of the same for many years) at the request of Moturoro and Wairarapa, to whom they purpose paying the Rent, in direct opposition to the wishes of all the Natives who signed my Lease, and who received the £30 from you as first instalment. You must be aware My dear Sir that my freehold will of course be worthless unless I can occupy the Native Land, I have expended a large sum of money on the faith of my lease from the Natives being respected, and of which I was given fully to understand by Sir G. Grey and yourself. The loss of this run would frustrate all my plans, and having had all the annoyances, hardships, and privations, in which Mrs. Riddiford and my family have participated it does appear to me extremely hard, and unfair, that Mr. St. Hill should underlet this land without the slightest notice or intimation to me, and that I should receive only a few days notice to quit. It is true I have not been on speaking terms with Mr. St. Hill for many months, can be carry his malice and spite thus far to ensure such means of injuring me? I hope not, but to say the least of it, it was a most uncourteous and ungentlemanly action towards a Brother settler and fellow passenger. Now I must beg of you to assist me in this matter my dear Sir it is a case which will admit of no delay. I have been obliged in self defence to place the case in the hands of Messrs. Ward and Brandon who intend communicating with the Governor on the subject, with your powerful aid to back my cause, and knowing well all the particulars as you do, I do not fear the result. I do not intend giving up possession, the Natives who signed my Lease are most anxious for me to remain, we continue as we always have been on terms of friendship I believe that Muturoa and Wairarapa have no claim whatever to the land. It has already caused very angry and bitter feelings amongst the Natives; I must apologize for giving you all this trouble but hope you will excuse it with kind regards in which Mrs. Riddiford joins believe me my Dear Sir, very sincerely yours, Daniel Riddiford. To Donald McLean Esq.