Epriama July 12th, /57. My dear McLean, I hear with extreme pleasure that you are really settling this long protracted purchase --- good and welcome news I can assure you it was to myself and the other squatters settled here. My principal object in writing to you is in reference to the Reserves here --- From what I hear from the Natives they are to give up half, and retain half the Bush --- This is fair enough and will amply provide for the want of the Settlers --- All I hope is that they may give up the part which is approachable to us, that is, the Easternmost part of it --- the Bush in the immediate neighbourhood of the Pah is uncomateable whilst to that I speak of there is a good dray road open to Canning, the Hunters, and other future residents there may be at Porongahau, and Myself. It is also as useless to the Natives as the bush at Epriama would be to us. When Cooper was here last --- Te Hua Tuke Tuke was proposed as the boundary of their block of Bush --- I find on examining the Country that it makes a pretty fair division for the first half mile or so, after that it bends away to the Eastward and all the Bush (the most desirable for us) is on the Western side --- A line drawn due North from Epriama wd. I think make the division a fair one for both parties --- Another point on which I must trouble you is --- With regard to the flats in the immediate neigh ourhood of where I am settled. Part of them are reserved by the Natives, the Reserve having been made subsequent to the others --- The said flats are useless to the Natives and are everything to me --- And I think a word from you to them wd. induce them to give them up. If you can do so you will render me a very great service. And now I hope you will pardon my troubling you on a matter in which perhaps I have no business, altho' my interests are very largely at stake --- Hoping to see you soon --- believe me, Always, Yours very sincerely, J.D. Ormond.