'Whanganui' Feby.1st 1872 Dear Sir, There are certain matters to which I wish to call your attention privately in connection with affairs here and also in Hawkes Bay, some of the latter affecting my own interests, by putting which into writing I afford you better opportunity of considering at your leisure. With reference to the Block of say 128,000 acres south of the Waingongoro placed by you as far as Native questions are concerned under my management I will ask you to follow the phases of its condition in the order in which I have placed them - bearing in view that the figures used do not profess to be in the main more than approximations. Extent of Land Available. 1st. The imaginary extent of Land at disposal of the Government has shrunk under careful investigation to some 39 or 40000 acres (that is of Land of such description as to be considered available for sale) which may be increased to between 56 and 57,000 acres by an expenditure of £12,000 or possible £15,000. Position of Confiscated Land Dept: in respect of Native Claims. 2nd. That these 39 or 40,000 acres are not yet available and cannot be made so until primary claims are settled - the necessary Corollary being that the Confiscated Land department so far as mere sales of Land are involved is practically in abeyance.