Auckland 3rd July 1858 My Dear Sir, As I thought you would be anxious to know when anything definite should be arrived at with Isaac and Moses regarding the Pukekohe question I came to Town this evening to acquaint you that I have determined the boundaries of the Pukekohe reserve on the ground which may now be considered settled. Until the lines are re cut, chained and a plan made of the land, it would be premature to write a formal report. Indeed so many reports have been made without anything being done on the ground, that I propose, in contradistinction to them, to determine the matter in the field first and report afterwards. After acquainting myself with the locality and closely investigating the documents in my possession, it became self evident to me that the natives were clearly in the right, and that we have in fact taken possession of a very considerable portion of the most valuable part of their land, even before I discussed the subject with Isaac --- This I can easily prove to demonstration when I have time to go into the papers with you --- On Friday Isaac tooks me to a hill called Pukewhau and said, there is my boundary and not where it is shown on your map which is a 'mahi hoka noa of the Pakeha'. No Maori has ever consented to these lines, as boundaries for our land etc. You will be astonished when I tell you that Johnsons memo. of boundaries of the native res: would really give the natives more than they themselves claim. I am aware that I am saying much, but this much I can prove to the satisfaction of anyone. However to proceed --- I came forward before the natives and stated that although I was a comparative stranger to them and to the locality and that I might be wrong in my impressions on the Pukekohe matter, and that before I came from Auckland I believed the natives were encroaching on Government land, but I saw now the land which was claimed by them was theirs, at the same time I entreated Isaac to give me the land back to the straight line to save surveying and our time (which would cost the Govt. at least £50) but I did not tell Isaac that --- Isaac got up and said for having acknowledged my right to this place which is the first time it has been done by anyone sent out by the Govt. justice has been done to me at last, and all that sort of thing --- I shall yield to your request now which I refused to acceed to before and give the land to you as far as the straight line and shall never return to my original boundaries. I saw at once that I reduced about 500 acres of land to a negotiation which if not purchased would interfere with a number of grants amounting in the aggregate to about 1500 acres, issued to settlers, so I determined to undertake the responsibility of buying this portion if possible, even without being authorised, but I can show good cause for so doing --- Isaac then demanded a store full of guns and ammunition as 'utu' and subsequently condescended to take £300 --- I immediately offered him £50 --- and after 3 hours debating and he appeared to become pakeke again I said let my offer of £50 stand good and I promise to recommend £50 to add to it, when Moses rose and closed the whole matter by pulling up the pegs and accepting my terms. The surveyor and his party came back to my boundary and commenced clearing out the old survey line when I returned to camp --- To attempt purchasing the principal farms which are in the occupation of Messrs. Arrowsmith and McTear (or some such name) Maldram, and Carruther, would be useless all these places will stand within the Native Reserve as agreed upon on Friday last In fact the Natives are now making preparations to plant potatoes on their clearings and the Government may now rutu ruto the question of compensation to these people as they are now leaving Pukekohe. I propose to return on Monday morning and shall not come back again until the Res: is defined on the ground in the presence of the natives. I am, My Dear Sir, Faithfully yours, John Rogan B. of N. A. according to Johnson Mem. as the Measurement by the turning of the road would be greater by 30 chs. than as the crow flies. Pukewhau Boundary of Res. pointed out by Isaac £100 offered for this portion which was agreed to by the Natives. Williamson. Arrowsmith Meldrum. Carruthers. and Matham Boundaries of res. marked off by Churton on Johnsons directions which appears to me inexplicable. See Searanckes little map attached to correspondence for accuracy. Boundary of Res: Baileys line. Boundary of Waiuku block. Coles inn and Papakura = by direct line.