place purchase the land you require and then it might be transferred to you on such reasonable terms as could be hereafter agreed upon. With reference to the latter part of you letter requesting a written permission to squat; I have to inform you that the authorities here cannot grant such a permission on Native lands, until they are ceded to the Crown, as such a proceeding would be a direct violation of the "Native Land Purchase Ordinance Sess. 7. No. 19" --- and bearing in mind the necessity of your undertaking I shall endeavour to assist you in effecting some arrangement when I next visit Ahuriri. I have the honor to be Sir, Your most obt. servant, Donald McLean. Land Commissioner. Mr. J. Grindell.