Auckland 1 Sept. 1865 My dear McLean, I shall be down by the "Lord Ashley" on Monday but shall probably go on to Wellington by that or next mail. I hear Wilson has taken Newmans house for me. I hoped to have had J. A. Smiths. Capt. and Mrs. Machell are both with me and expected me to have heard of a cottage for them. Would you kindly have enquiries made for me so that on arrival Capt. Machell will be able to find a roof to his head - A small cottage on the hill or anywhere would do. I am sorry to say I shall disappoint the public in the matter of birds - But I got only one very short note from you at home - and none of those things of which we had talked were alluded to. I risked the Club Manager and brought him out a most excellent fellow he is for the place - But I do not hear from any one a word about him and I am bothered as you may guess - What birds I brought are my own, and on the whole the Accln. Society is lucky in avoiding the risk for the time I left is fatal. What I have however are chiefly domestic birds - except a few pheasants a few blackbirds and a few sand grouse. The French partridges which I sent overland and 3 I brought with me are all dead. The F. partridges brot. out by Mr. Morrin reached Auckld. safe and were all killed by a dog one night. What I've got I'll give Tiffen and as regards more I now possess all the information and can get any amount out easily - I am charmed to hear of your successful use of Fraser and his M. S. It does you both credit. You for vigor and he for soldiering - like this. I am in hopes you will be better. If you still have the cutter and my boat you might give orders that they be on the look out for us. Goodbye old fellow and believe me very truly yours G. S. Whitmore