9

C—4a

Mr. Walter Alzdorf to Mr. Munro. a Wanganui, July 6th, IS7HI have the honor to inform you that Mr. John Buller arrived at my camp, together with Mr H Field, on the 14th February, 1875, and informed me he was anxious to have a block surveyed, offered by Ihimaira Tuao to the General Government. I told him I could not leave lopim le Alamaku, as any delay might be prejudicial to the completion of the survey, but said I would instruct Mr Field to commence clearing and erecting stations on the block offered. _ ' After Mr Field had been on the block about three weeks, Topini Te Mamaku received a letter from Te Kuiti requesting his immediate presence there, and he went accordingly, ttm, his wite, remaining to point out boundaries of his block during his absence. On Mr field crossing the Kawautaki Stream with Ihiinaira Tuao's boundary, Bia raised an objection to the survey proceeding, I persuaded her not to interfere with the work, but allow the matter to be settled by the Court she a«reed to let the work go-on until Topini Te Mamaku's return from Te Kuiti; on his return to Marae Kowhai I informed Topini that I had completed the survey of lletaruke block, and that I intended to ioin Mr Field in completing the survey of Ihimaira Tuao's Block ; he raised a very strong objection to this and stated that Ihimaira had no right to cross the Kawautaki with his boundary, as it was agreed amono- the principal owners to make that a boundary of a large block, he. and others intended ottering to for sale. I then recommended him to allow the survey to proceed, and refer the disputed boundary to the Court, or allow it to stand until the arrival of Mr. John Buller; he declined to accede to my suggestions, exhibiting a great deal of annoyance, and sent a letter to Ihimaira to stop workand come down to Marae Kowhai and discuss the question On I nma.ra's arrival at Marae Kowhai Topini arose in a very excited state, and, after telling Ihimaira he had no right to cross the Kawautahi Stream, and that the only claim he had there was a small piece near the junction of Kawautahi and Ohuha Streams. (Judging from boundaries as described by lapanui to me, I should say about 100 acres). Ihimaira made no objection to this, but prevented the survey proceeding by his not returning to the block and pointing out boundaries. He also told me he should not consent to survey proceeding until Retaruke and Kirikau had passed the Native Land Court, I then sent to Mr Held to fay off his" men and return to town, as all other work it was possible to proceed with in the Tuhua portion of the district was already completed. P Had the survey of Ihimaira Tuao 5s been completed, it would contain about 4,000 acres of broken bUShirr tliadTn\yio oi 0n ded°the General Government Survey Staff on proceeding toTuhua I was not then aware, as since informed, that I required the authority of the Deputy-Inspector of Surveys, either direct or through yourself, before commencing any fresh survey. ° I have, &c, D. H. Munro, Esq., Walter District Surveyor, Wanganui. ° J " Printed at The Tribune Office, Wellington. 3—C.4a.