Mount Albert 21 Octr/70 My dear Sir, I was glad to have your last telegram from Napier before I left as it was a consolation to hear that I gave some satisfaction. There were one or two things I should like to have finished but could not. I have not seen Douglas since I came back. I hear he is with you at Wellington. I thought he was coming over with me to Kaipara, but as you are aware I am going to Poverty Bay so my stay at the Makiri will be but short. Mrs. Farr is there almost alone and alltogether that place is a great trouble and expense but I must not commence on the growling tack so long as I get the £600 I cannot complain. I see by the papers you have been honored with the C. B'ship. Long may you live to retain it say I. I stopped at the Club at Napier and kept pretty quiet. The people there are very respectable. I had little to say. Wilson the Lawyer is a bear. Ferrard asked me to dinner once. I breakfasted with Kinross the morning I left was at Purvis Russells one Sunday. I know him at Taranaki many years ago. Your brother Alic followed me to the Wairoa we came back and fortunately no vessel was in so he got me a horse went out and saw over the 900 acres, that is a choice piece of land. I wish it was yours in fee simple The people there might talk away. That should be valuable to a large station like yours. There was an increase in the family so we went on to Havelock and in the morning started for the far famed Maraekakaho of which you and I remained up many nights long ago talking over and calculating the profits of stock and wool. We had a living gale of wind in our teeth and the dust was awful notwithstanding this I was very much delighted with your run. The entrance on to the native run going along that beautiful flat for miles covered with native grass with the low undulating hills on the left especially quite charmed me and has made a lasting impression on my mind. We rode all over the inland run the following day and the day after, after having a long korero with your brother the Captn Alic rode in with me to Karaitianas so you see your brother was very attentive to me and I enjoyed the expedition above all things. I must have bothered him nearly as much as Mr. Tollemache with questions about sheep, fencing and everything connected with the station. I found everything here worse than ever, no one with money I thought I could sell to Makiri but I am afraid the Railway business at Kaipara is a mere hoax. No word about it now. I went on to the wharf some time ago and saw Sir G. Grey who arrived by the mail. He was looking well and was very civil to every one. Fenton is very quiet of late. You and he appear to work better than the last Native Minister. I saw old Grace in town he had just arrived from Matamata. He told me te Arawa returned from visiting the King They were pleased with their trip. His Chief injunction on them was cease killing your countrymen. The graceless old gentleman said he thought the king would get back some of the friendlies. Of course he will if he can that is the last card left and that is what you and I may say myself in a small way have been striving to prevent the war of race which may get come who knows. I have a letter from Tamaiki at Mimi stating that Rewi invited Kiri Kumeru to visit him about peace or war and Ihaia is going. I suppose you will know all about this from Parris. I lent all my money £1000 on a farm at Otahuhu at £8 p. c. for 2 years. I hope you will write a line if you have time. Yours ever J. Rogan The Hon. D. McLean