the sales to those parts most available for agriculture and settlement as I know that the rest of the coast line can always be obtained atmoderate prices and the land is not essential for any immediate purpose the great thing is to acquire the whole of this valley and if it is not done now it may hare after be a question of years. I am therefore extremely anxious that two or three additional good blocks should be acquired here so that the question should be finally disposed of before Your Excellency leaves as it is not easy to conjecture what a change of circumstances legislation and govt. may have on these Natives. Manihera is in excellent humour. I told him that I had no doubt Your Excellency would sanction his having a nice cottage built for