a requisition and I shall give the earliest intimation if any further amount is likely to be shortly required I should be very glad if your Excellency could come up for a short time to witness the progress the negotiations are making. The purchase which I am endeavouring to accomplish now is at the head of the valley extending from the new line of road to Donalds but it excludes as yet some of the best portions of that district but I suppose we must not reject any land that is offered. In estimating the sum required for purchasing the Wairarapa it should not be forgotten that a large extent of country besides the valley must be acquired, the valley is estimated at 300,000 acres but I should say that there are 4 or 500,000 acres that must fall in along with it to complete the purchase so as to join on to the Castle Point district. I am anxiously waiting for instructions as to whether Captain Smith can be employed to assist in the surveys, it is most essential that they should be carried on with the least possible delay.