Letter from H.T. Kemp dated 1848 Thursday evening, 14th. (?) 1848. My dear McLean, I called at the Hotel this afternoon for the express purpose of seeing you with reference to the allowance of a guinea a day on these special Missions. As I am off early in the morning into the country to spend the day, before starting again for the Bush, I send the rough draft of a statement of daily expenses which go in to the --- Executive Council in the morning. I have thought it right to do this, because, the Auditor General has made it a question whether we should have it, excepting when This appeared to me such an ungenerous proceeding that I made up my mind to put down in figures exactly (I think at the very lowest computation) the daily expenses plainly showing that there is , but on the contrary that the guinea a day is absorbed in expenses, which ought to be paid by the Government, instead of making it the price of our Com- -mission. This has struck me more forcibly since you mentioned it. I had quite forgotten that in the Protector's Department the natives were found as by Govt. and 7/6 a day, besides our ordinary salary to ourselves, while travelling. Judging by what Captain Grey said to me the other day, these Land Commissions are likely to go on for many months, probably years; and I agree with you that we should make a firm stand before entering upon them. I thought it best to do so while Sir George Grey is here, as he may go off in the fly at a moment's notice. What I think is, with you, that they should give us the guinea a day, considering and pay all expenses. Mr. Bell gets £500 a year, and expenses paid; and I think it unpardonable that the Officers of the Crown should be so meanly dealt with. I was talking with old Telford at the Treasury, who is an experienced man; and he tells me that on in all parts of the world, a guinea a day and expenses paid is the You will see I have mentioned your name, and I depend upon your backing the statement. I have calculated my expenses this last month to the Wairarapa; and I find myself a loser, to say nothing of responsibility and great personal inconvenience, inseparable with bush travelling. Please take care of the draft, and let me have it on Saturday morning. I think it likely we may both be called before the Executive Council. Think of something more. Yours very truly (Signed) H.T. Kemp.