the necessary details and arrangements, I should be inclined to make a preliminary investigation and let that district stand over for a time, say till next summer and endeavour in the meantime to acquire land at Taranaki. Sven at Taranaki I do not discern favourable prospects of purchasing land as the interested inhabitants are naturally disposed to represent. If the natives desired anxiously to sell their lands they would have made their wishes known to me as soon as such a desire became unanimous. Mr. Park has finished the laying out of some town sections at Petre and I am anxious to avail of his services for a few days at the expense of the Govt. to survey a small village site for the natives at Putiki opposite the Europeans. I have told Mr. Park that I did not suppose you would object to his being so employed. Afterwards he intends to survey the reserves which were not completed by Mr. Wills who was obliged to leave here in consequence of his mother's death before the land question was settled. There are two reserves at Rangitikei respecting which the Lt. Governor has spoken to you which will require to be surveyed by Mr. Park when these are decided on by Mr. Park and myself I shall leave him to carry on the survey, while I proceed to Manawatu. I observe the Taranaki people although full satisfied with your liberal and judicious arrangements have differed with their own committee. I am in hopes that the recent notice published by you holding out inducements for persons in this colony to send for their friends together with existing tranquility and amicable understanding with the settlers and natives will be the means of inducing immigrants to our shores, and although the possession of so much land by the settlers may keep the company out of the market for a short time a few ships with immigrants would soon buy up all their land and leave you to pursue your land sales without the slightest competition as it is quite evident that New Zealand has never been in such a fit state for their reception.