Letter from John Rogan, to Donald McLean Esq. dated 11th. April 1857. Tokatoka Kaipara 11th. April 1857. My dear Sir, I received your letter of 8th. inst., yesterday; and in order to see you before you leave for the South, I am straining every nerve to place matters here on such a footing as to dispense with my presence in the district for a month, and shall be able to proceed towards Auckland in about 10 days. Your contemplated trip to Otakou, and the £100 for securing the men, shows that you mean to follow out the Otakou scheme in a spirited manner. I have long since had a wish to enter into a sheep speculation; and if you can send me there (Otakou) on the survey, which will give me time to look round without expense, I have little doubt that that Province will be my resting place. As regards the offer of management of the Stations, you will be the best judge whether I am competent for that office or not. You know me well by this time. At the same time, you also know that my knowledge of the management of sheep is, at present, very limited. Many thanks for the information regarding the registered letter, which I hope is from Taranaki, with money. Otherwise I shall be grievously disappointed. I am anxious to see you also on the subject of my running to New Plymouth to settle if I can, some money matters there. Mr. Innes has written from Ahuriri to ask me for a certificate of his competency as a surveyor, He says that Mr. Thomson, Chief Surveyor, at Otakou, has offered him the office of Assistant Surveyor at £250, , provided he can produce a tetimonial from the Surveyor-General. But he was not employed in that department; and therefore applies to me for the document. Will you be good enough to advise me in the matter. If you think it is safe to give him a document, I will do so. As there are many things I have to bring under your notice, relative to the work to be carried on here in your absence, which can be settled by a personal interview, I shall defer saying more until I meet you again. Until then, believe me Yours very sincerely (Signed) John Rogan. To:- Donald McLean Esq.