16th Augt. 1858 Manawatu --- Dear Sir, Since the completion of the arrangements for the purchase of the Waikanae Block I have been detained at Otaki negociating for the purchase of the land between the Ngatiawa Boundary at Kukutavaki and Otaki which was offerred for sale by the Matenga Hukiki and the Ngatipari Tribe but opposed by the Ngatihuia's as I found that this could not be satisfactorily settled while I was there I broke off the negociation and I have since heard that the opposition to the sale is withdrawn and the final negociation for the completion of the sale left in the hands of Rawiri Kingi Puaha but while I was there (having been applied to by the person holding the Ferry) I mentioned to the Natives the necessity of defining the 20 Acres as agreed upon to be leased for a Ferry reserve this after a great deal of Trouble I succeeded in getting done, but only on the condition that one whole of the money due on the lease viz. 17 years at £20 per annum or £340 should be paid them at once the same as in the case of the Manawatu Ferry, this of course I objected to agree to, but agreed to refer it to you, there are a great number of different tribes, claimants in this 20 Acres and if the mere fact of the retention of the Ferry is looked to I think it will be desirable to pay them the money at once, but if the real value of the Land only 20 Acres is considered I could not recommend that so large a sum should be given them; the grounds on which I think it desirable to give them the whole amount at once in fact to make a purchase of the Land are these to prevent disputes among themselves arising from conflicting claims which at present threaten the entire doing away with the ferry, there also being a precedent as in the Manawatu Ferry to which they constantly fefer. Then a gain the precedent of giving so large a sum for so small a piece of Land (all sandhills) must necessarily act very much against the Land purchasing Dept. in this District the natives not taking into consideration the advantages of the Ferry but merely looking at the small piece of Land alienated for so large a sum of Money --- at the same time I think that it will be quite possible to make the arrangement in that way that should the river (as in the case of the Ohau) break out in some other place that a right of site for Ferry etc. be given to the Europeans. Another consideration is who are the parties to pay in case of a Purchase I presume the Gen. Govt the Provincial Govt. pay the lease £20 but I presume would not have to pay in case of a Purchase from the Natives --- I have seen Nepia but cannot get him to come to the Point about the outer part of the Manawatu Block, the portion belonging to the Hiriwanui and his tribe I think is all right, Nepia and I are going up tomorrow to Puketotara to see the Hiriwanui about it and complete the negociation, no' Tamehana, Matene and Rawiri Puaha wished to have the sale in the first place of his Landwhich the Ngatiraukawa's strongly objected to, and in which I joined them (the Ngatiraukawas). To return to the subject of the Otaki Ferry reserve of 20 Acres should you be of the same opinion as myself (I think it most desirable that the terms of the lease should be still carried out) I request that a letter impressing on them in the strongest language possible the necessity of abiding by the terms of the agreement or lease made and signed by them should be written on behalf of the Govt. to them Not expecting this discussion I have not got a copy of the terms of the lease with me, but have sent to Wellington for it. I have within the last few days casually heard that you are expected in Wellington soon --- I trust in Providence that it is true --- I saw old Mrs. Dodds at Otaki who asked very kindly after you. Very truly yours, Will N. Searancke