Gwavas. 25 May 1869 Dear McLean, I should have written to you by the last two mails but on each occasion hoped to get to Napier before my letter. One week I was disappointed at not hearing of lodgings. The next week I was obliged to have the Doctor for Mrs. Carlyon. I propose however if she is well enought to start about Wednesday. It was a great disappointment to me not being able to get to the Club meeting on Friday as although I have not heard what the object of the meeting was there were several things I wished to bring under the notice of the members. Should I not be able to get down before you leave for the General Assembly I hope you will insist on the necessity of all the Constabulary and such Militia and Volunteers as are responsible men and pass a certain test in drill and Ball Practice being armed with breach loaders at a comparatively trifling expense it would more than double the efficiency of the Civil Troops. I suspect you have urged it before. If one half of the reports that reach me here of the lavish throw away of money and the East Coast expeditions are true the expenses must be frightful. How the two great? men at Napier would have been delighted to have convicted you of one tenth of their absurdities. I trust however the end of their rule is drawing nigh. I see my brother has made a terrible onslaught on the Russells, Pere et Fils, I trust it will teach the former not to take advantage of his position in the house to say nasty things of others behind their backs. I don't think the position of the Armed Constabulary is at all what it ought to be as far as I can make out they have no rank for Commissioned Officers under Sub Inspectors or Captains but I must go down to see you about these things I am sorry Green (?) has lost his place temporarily it speaks well for him that the Volunteers have chosen him as Capt. Yours very sincerely Gwavas Carlyon