10th May, 1860, Otaki. Dear Sir, I have only received the invitations for the Native Chiefs within the last three days owing to their being sent to Whanganui by mistake. I have lost no time in delivering them to the Chiefs on this Coast all have accepted it eagerly and will attend at Auckland on His Excellency, the two letters to Hohepa and Ropoama I have sent to Mackay at Nelson to deliver to them, will other Natives besides those to whom invitations have been sent be allowed to go to Auckland there is a little jealousy in the matter, Takerei at Manawatu I should have liked to attend as he is a very able and clear headed Native, I proceed to Wellington tomorrow and will lose no time in the beginning of the week in delivering the invitations to the Natives there and letting you know the result. I must not forget to thank you for your favor from Waiuku and am glad to hear that you are notwithstanding the excitement still improving in health, for you never required it more. We had a great meeting here last Friday to decide about erecting the Kings Flag, it was vigourously opposed by Tamehana, Matene and other old Friends of yours and supported by the Ngatihuias and the R. Catholic Natives. The Revd. Archdeacon made a very eloquent address against it, but with but little effect. The hoisting however of the Flag is postponed untill Wi Tako's return from Wellington, he has been offerred a peice of Ground here and I think will accept it I hope he will, for then his shallowness will be seen thro, everything here is very quiet among the Natives for the present, old Nepia, as wily as ever, will neither say for or against the erection of the Flag but at the Meeting about 300 were present the parties were equally divided for and against, Tamehana is very active in favor of the Government I have been at Hukiki's urgent demand for the last two days at Muhunoa to arrange for the purchase of his land at Ohau but this evening when it came to the price after the boundaries were all settled, they electrified me by asking £7,000. I offerred them £1,000 which, considering that there was 2,000 acres of sandy fern hills about 10,000 of level arable land and about 18,000 Acres of useless hills in the Tararua range, I considered to be a very fair price, the Natives however would listen to nothing short of £7000 so I left them to think over it for a while. I was anxious to have if possible, completed this purchase as it would have been the best proof possible at this present time that it is not our intention to take their lands as their reports go by force without purchase. I think on the whole that the feeling among the Natives is much improved towards the Governor on this coast I have done all I can by quietly talking with them in their houses. I do not believe in calling meetings, they cause excitement and distrust and they think we have an object in deceiving them. Nepia's invitation was sent to Mr. Duncan, I doubt whether he will accept it. Mr. D. will inform you on it. I have not done anything in the land purchasing lately for I believed that much more good would be done by leaving it alone for a short time and confining myself to reassure the disaffected; if I have done wrong let me know. I am, Dr. Sir, in haste, Very truly yours, Will. N. Searancke, D.C. D. McLean, Esqre., Auckland.