April 18th, 1865. My dear Sir, I have received yours of the 13th inst. and regret very much the present unsettled state of affairs at the Wairoa. I hope matters will soon begin to assume a better aspect. In reference to your homestead I fully recognise the justice of a value being put upon buildings existing at the time of the purchase, the value of such buildings to be appraised and added to the upset price of the land but I have invariably refused to admit the principle of allowing buildings erected since that time to be included in the same category, indeed every one applicing for such a privilege has been refused. I am, My dear Sir, Yours very truly, Donald McLean. G. Worgan, 18th April, 1865.