No. 1.
The Chief Protector to Mr. Edward
Meurant.
Auckland, 12th January, 1842
Sir,—
The chiefs Tihi and others having offered to sell to Her Majesty's Government a tract of country, situated on the Manukau, I am directed by His Excellency the Governor to instruct you to proceed to that district and ascertain as far as possible the extent of the land they propose selling, the names of the boundary lines, the quality of the land, and its locality, with reference to land claimed by Mr. Fairburn, and the land of and about Awaroa, and furnish me with a report on the same immediately on your return.
You will find the chief's sons ready to accompany you, and point out the boundary lines. You will endeavor to ascertain whether any other land besides that purchased by Mr. Fairburn has been sold in the neighborhood, and carefully exclude as a portion of the purchase any such lands; and, lastly, you will give publicity to the natives in the vicinity of the object of your visit.
I have, &c.,
George Clarke.
Mr. E. Meurant.