Stapleton Coromandel Octr. 4 1863 Dear Sir The object of the present note is about payment for work done by me in the Negosition of the purchase of land from the Natives for the Government you were absent at the end of June 1863 when the Government ceased to pay my Salary but you returned immediately after and you then requested me to continue to aid in negosiating and you would recommend the Government to pay me I completed the negosiating for Mahekirau you drew out the deed and paid the money I fixed the negosiating and paid for Maumaupaki Line then I have finished the negosiation for the Hoho Hahae Ototoro and Teponga blocks containing 9309 acres these are not yet paid for but are waiting the answer of the Government if they will give the prices I expect to hear in a day or two about 6000 acres more has been offered which Mr. Bell authorized me to negosiate for to keep them in hand but not to make any final arrangement for it at present I spoke both to him and Mr.Domet about pay they said that of course I must be paid but that you would have to recommend I delayed writing to you until I could forward the returns which are now gone I should be very much obliged by your recommending that I be paid I think that they ought to continue to me the £100 per annum as I have a deal to do between them and the natives here I was engaged all day yesterday and am going again today if they were to give me 5 per cent on the purchase money as commission for the 2 blocks purchased last year Mahakirau and Maumaupoki it would come to as much as my salary from June 1862 to this time I leave the whole thing in your hands both past and future please to excuse haste I remain dear Sir Yours very truly James Preece D. McLean Esq. JP. etc.