Wallingford Jan. 22nd 1868 My dear McLean You will only get a hasty letter from me to-night I am still hard at work at my shearing and shall not finish until Monday - I see all you have done whilst at Wellington and your visit has been a good thing for the Province at any rate. Thanks for what you wrote about the Telegraph I have had a reply from Hall deciding in favor of Waipukurau and I have sent the whole correspondence to the Waipawa people. I dare say they will publish it. I had to write a very indignant protest to Hall in reply to his adverse decision. There will be a deuce of a row when the thing becomes known. Your letter will keep to set things right and remove the idea that we, especially you, have been favouring Waipukurau - (I have not sent your letter to Waipawa people - shall I? I have sent my official to you) Thanks also for what you have done about my brother, nothing more could have beendone than you have kindly done for him. I have recd, the letter Levin referred to it was to advise him on what day he shd. send a Steamer to Black Head for the wool. I have replied by overland mail - Now a word about Patea. I am disappointed to find Locke has gone in, as I shd. have liked well for him to have gone when I go. What about your brother, has be gone with Locke or will he go with me - Please write me about this by return mail as I propose starting for Napier tomorrow week by the Coach. If your brother were not going on had already gone with Locke I should see about getting someone else to go in with me but I was anxious not to have more people go in there than could be helped until we had seen the country - If Locke is back tell him I wish him to act for me as well as for yourself in regard to there, and perhaps if he is not back it will be as well for me to wait until he does get back before I start in - write me what you are able about this by next mail as I shall guide my movements accordingly - One thing I know and that is I must get some of the country in there and put some stock on it this present autumn - I am having hard work of it at my shearing - the sheep are shearing uncommonly well and you will find out in a year or two that the Rams you got from me will make a difference in your wool returns at Akitio. If your brother is still at leisure to go in to Patea with me will you tell him that I purpose being at Napier tomorrow week and should come on to him in a day or two when you and I had done whatever there is to do - I shd. like Renata to send a native with us also - good night Always yours very truly J. D.Ormond I see Mrs. Hart is up please remember me very kindly to her.