Stapleton Coromandel Octr. 19, 1857 My dear Sir Your kind note with the public dispaches Stationery money etc. I duly received and as there is a vessell leaving here this evening I have only time to acknowledge them I am glad that my arraingement was approved of I hope to get the Deeds ready and pay the money in a day or two I have got an answer from the Socity I must go to Auckland for a few days I trust to go next week I hope to hear from you first if you write on the recept of this and send it to the care of Roe Street and Queens Warf to come per Fantome I shall have it in time I should always receive letters etc. sooner threw that way than any other I am very glad that presant purchas is made this is the first ever made by the Government on this side of the Thames, Charles Davies is down here he gave 2 Horses to the Natives some time past he is trying to purchas a piece of Land for them it is within that recommended by me to the preserved for the natives I shall be able to talk to you about that and other things when I arrive in Auckland my appointment pleases the Natives very much they have every confidence in me had a stranger taken the place I do not think that they would have treated with him for a long time as it is I have had my hands full for some time one difficulty I have found which is the natives have been asking Mr. Heaphy the contents if all those unpurchased pieces I trust that in future he may not satisfy them on that point I think that it would be better not to do so. Please to accept my thanks for the Stationery etc. I shall be glad of the map it will be of great service to me Horopeta has just been here he wants to sell a piece of land which will break the ice on the Waiau side I must now close as the vessall leave this tide believe me to remain yours truly James Preece To D. McLean Esq. Auckland