Mongonui, March 2, 1857. My dear McLean, I am much obliged to you for sending Piri Kaunau, I think I shall find him very useful. Send me the necessary authority about his pay. I am quite in despair about the surveys --- all the points of any importance were fixed with the theodolite in the 2 Wangaroa blocks, I don't know how I shall find time to survey and cut the lines of the outer boundaries --- it would take me at least 2 months and the labor of two natives is not enough for such work a great deal of it is thick forest, my great difficulty is in being away for so long a time I have worked very hard this summer and am very desirous of completing the crown survey, but have only been able to be out 5 days this month, the distance to go is great and I am constantly wanted in the port during the summer and in no instance in this season have I left without finding some difficulty in consequence on my return. I hardly know what to do. I often think of resigning as I fear I shall not be able to perform the duties of surveyor in conjunction with my other duties. Could I get more labor to cut the lines at Wangaroa. The men accustomed to the bush will not work under 6 or 7 shillings a day. The time has now expired for the Oruru natives to lease they appear undecided but I have had no time to attend to them, in fact I am regularly worried. The natives offer plenty of land for sale in this district, but in consequence of other business I have put a stop for the present to their offers. I should like much to have a talk with you and the members of the Court but hope I shall be able to get up to Auckland in the winter. I have not seen anything in the native Messenger respecting persons (Europeans) exacting in their own account payment from the natives for any thefts committed on them. It is a very great evil and is becoming a practice most injurious to the communtity. It is no more or less than compounding felonies, I should be very glad to see a caution to the natives to bring such cases before the Rest. Magistrates, and not be imposed upon by the Europeans, Yours faithfully, W. B. White.