1861 My dear McLean, I am extremely obliged by your friendly letter and the interesting information it contains. I am, asyou will readily believe, most anxious to hear what takes place and how Sir George Grey gets on. I have made many enquiries and obtained much information as to how responsible Govt. is carried on here and I find that the principle is precisely the same as that which I adopted in N. Z. I find however that I have exercised much more personal influence than either Sir W. Denison or Sir John Young have ever done. Ministers have the right to appoint Judges and do various things which I never conceded. When I told Sir John Young that Sir G. Grey expected to be able to make ministers act as he pleases he laughed outright and said that the instructions from England (which I never received) conferred power where there was responsibility and that with very rare exceptions the responsibility rests with the Ministers. Ministers even correspond with the Military. The Assembly here is not paid by Govt. but is much more democratic than ours and members indulge in much coarser language. Two members (Buchanan and another) are paid by their constituents. The first gets 30/- a week and two suits of clothes per annum!! A deputation of gentlemen interested in N. Z. addressed me last week in the most flattering terms and this morning I have received a letter from the Rev. Sam Ironside (lately of Taranaki) in which he writes in the most gratifying terms. This is a very fine city but the weather is very hot especially at nights and our hearts and thoughts are all directed towards N. Z. and your doings there. Adieu my dear friend. My wife and Steward send their kindest regards and believe me always Yours very sincerely T. Gore Browne Govt. House 28th Oct. 1861