Napier March 29th. 1876. My dear McLean, I have only time for a hurried line. Yours of the 27th. I received last evening. Please do nothing about the R.M. appointment until we have had time to enquire. It is important to us that we have a proper man in the office. I will think it over and write you again about it. I can tell you little about Mr. Stuckey. He is here I learn and enquiring about places I will find out more about him. We are getting ready to receive his Excellency, we cannot do much for him but we shall do what we can. There is to be a reception tomorrow when he lands at the Eastern Spit and Levee Friday morning. A Ball Friday evening and a Club Dinner on Saturday. On Monday he leaves for Auckland by the Luna. The Native feasting is over and the Wairarapa Natives are on the way home. Nothing very fresh re Native Repudiation. Karaitiana and Meihana yesterday mortgaged their share in Awa and Atua Block (Watt and Farmers) for £4,000 to H.R. Russell. This was to endeavour to raise money on it. Locke had to witness as R.M. I believe they have engaged the Half Caste ''jury'' to work in Wairarapa and on West Coast. I must close. Yours always, J.D. Ormond.