W. N. Searancke Jany. 22nd 1861 My dear Sir, I have to thank you for your favor of the 4th instant it is singular that on the same day I wrote a statement of my services since my appt. in the N. L. P. Dept to Mr. Weld, which I presume he has received by this time. I am not at all clear by the wording of the official respecting my return to A, is the Office here to be closed and who are the Papers etc. etc. to be handed to, how is Fraser to manage there with still many surveys to be made, which he only is capable of doing so as to connect them with other surveys, if the Surveying in the Wairarapa is to be stopped at its present state, when things are beginning to look a little clear, when the most unmitigated confusion is fast getting unentangled, they will most certainly lapse into a worse state than ever, it is not a confusion arising from want of verbal arrangements (tho these are too often denied by the Natives) but rather from a want of practical effect being given to them, I am not aware what the intentions of the Govt. may be in Native matters, but it really appears to me as if it was desirous of always keeping certain questions open as a kind of safety valve, finished or not but the former invokes an impossibility, the questions still open I shall leave Wellington for Auckland next month for never was man so thoroughly sick of work as I am. I leave this morning for the Manawatu to make the necessary inquiries about the Awa hou. I hope before the Ministry commence making reductions in our Dept. they will select one of the talented nigger authorities for this District and if he does not get fairly worried within twelve months out of the place between Pro. uovts. and natives, I shall be astonished. It is my intention on my arrival in Auckland to petition the Govr. on the smallness of my Salary here why was Ligar appointed as Commr. with £400 per annum and I only with £300. I am I declare upwards of £200 poorer than when I came to Wellington so have but little inducement to continue in office even were it wished. I should not have remained in Wellington beyond this month (this Steamer) were it not for the appointments I have made with the Natives and the necessity of my settling some private matters here and am my dear Sir, very truly yours, Will N. Searancke D. McLean Esqre AUCKLAND. Te Huirarna has a message for you I think from Tawhiao and Te Paia who came with him to Otorohanga. He will not give any hint of what the message is. W.N. S.