Waimate, Bay of Islands 24 May 1859 My dear McLean, I hope this will find you returned in health to Headquarters; after a somewhat protracted visit. We saw you had been asked to remain at Taranaki to secure a little more Land for the good people there, and trust that your presence will have had the desired effect. The direct purchase movement has but few friends here, those whose opinions are worth anything at all condemn it entirely. How do the Southern people view it? It is thought by some that it is merely a political scheme, if so, I should think very much of a failure. I have just returned from the north, Mangonui and Wangaroa, where surveys are being carried on by Mr. Kempthorne. When he has finished those Blocks the season will have advanced too far for Field work, neither should Ibe able to find field work sufficient for him. The Plans he tells me will take him some time to get up, and there are no conveniences for mapping here. With your approval I should recommend his return to Auckland as soon as he has finished. I have written officially on the subject, and shall feel obliged by an early reply - I hope most sincerely that you have seen White, who has been on leave with his family. He would be able to talk over Land affairs in the neighbourhood of Mangonui and what we have done. There is a prospect of more purchases being made in that district as soon as the Natives are short of money. During your absence, a somewhat delicate affair occurred in this district, in which a Woman was concerned, having eloped from the Wairoa; Tirarau came over in an armed body, and we had some little manuvering to bring things to a peaceful end; I wrote to Henry Smith soon after - Tomorrow we enter on the payment of the Kawa Kawa Block, survey of which is completed, Reserves and all -- nearly 50,000 acres, as soon as it finished will sendyou the official Report -- I sent the Austrian Doctor the Shells, but no acknowledgt. -- perhaps did not find him. I shall write again soon and feel somewhat like yourself ready for a little rest after the summer's moving about. Believe me to remain Faithfully yours H. T. Kemp Donald McLean Esqr. Chief Commissioner Auckland