Letter from John Rogan to Donald McLean Esq. dated 5th. November 1859 COPY Auckland, 5th. November 1859 My dear Sir, I have just this moment heard from Baker through Searancke, of your serious illness, which we are all exceedingly sorry to hear; and I sincerely hope that long before this reaches you, that you will regain your usual good health. I am in the midst of bustle, preparing to be off to Kaipara on Monday morning. I have S. Smith's son with me to be stationed permanently in the District, and everything in apple-pie order to commence a long campaign. Pollen accompanies me to see the District. You will be astonished when I tell you that my sister and her husband (a hard working fellow) with a female cousin and a little girl who has been adopted, are all quite settled at Papakura, planting potatoes, cabbages, Indian corn, etc., I have supplied them with plenty of eatables, a cow, pigs, poultry, - an expensive operation, by the way, and now I hope they will do without any further assistance. I bought 62 acres close to town for £5.10/- an acre, which will soon be worth £20 an acre. This is the only decent stroke I have ever done in Auckland. Now that I have some of my own people here, and that I have more than I can attend to in land-purchasing at the North, I doubt whether I can easily move out of it for the South. Henry Halse is up here, bag and baggage, but I have not seen much of him owing to a press of work on my own private account. Can you get employment for two surveyors, who want very much to leave this Province? - Wilson and Hill; they are both skilled in their work. The former, Morris' son-in-law. I suppose wants to (?) the point at last ----(?) is a man you know yourself. Hill had got into difficulties some time ago; has changed his ways and got employment by the Provincial Government. His work was splendid, but the Government is stumped. He could not get his money, and the parties who advanced him provisions, etc., have put him in prison. Now this is a shame, and if you could do anything for him, it would be an act of charity. Hoping soon to see you back all safe and well, I am, my dear Sir, In haste, yours always, (Signed) John Rogan. To:- Donald McLean Esq.