Gisborne 27th. Nov. 1874. Sir. D. McLean. Dear Sir, Since my last letter was written Major Ropata with some thirty chief representatives of Te Aowera have arrived for the purpose of selling a large tract of country to Govt. situated near Hikurangi and in direction of Motu and Turanga. Ropata has asked for an advance upon the land and I am in a state of perplexity what to do. Capt. Read will advance them money provisionally but requires my sanction to do so. If money is advanced it can be afterwards arranged by Mr. Wilson as part at least of the block would be situated within the boundaries in which he is dealing. I have told Ropata I am afraid move in the matter being ignorant of anything Mr. Wilson may have done in connexion with the same block. In reply to this Ropata says he is the hoa of Wilson and he has not advised him of any negotiation about the land. I take the liberty of enclosing a carte visite of my wife and eldest daughter. I have the honor to be Dear Sir Most faithfully yours T. W. Porter, Adjt.