Parnell. April 30th. 1872. My dear Mclean, I have written you an official letter to-day, asking you for some temporary employment during your stay in Auckland. I was in great hope, from what you said on leaving last time, that you would have sent for me to Wellington; and I should not be candid, were I to say that I was sorely disappointed at being left out in the cold. But I supposed that your time was too much occupied, and that the calls upon you were so numerous, that you could not think of, or make room for me. I do not plead "ad misericordian"; but we are getting old, and anxious about the short future that remains to us; and perhaps you might find some modest situation for me, where my services as a scribe would be useful to you, and which would relieve me of the carking anxiety of that worst of evils - "having nothing to do." Pardon me for troubling you; but you once professed friendship for, and shewed kindness to me. Remembering this, and believing that there may may be a spark of the old feeling left, and that if employed, I shall not prove altogether useless, I have written this. In any case do not be annoyed, and believe me, Yours very sincerely, (Signed) W.C. Brackenbury. To:- The Hon. D. Mclean.