Wanganui August 11th /70 My dear Mr. McLean I sent you by last post a report of my services during the last few years, services that I think you will acknowledge ought to meet with some reward, I have related them in a very brief way merely shewing by pure facts, that I am entitled to some consideration - They have been rendered under different Governments and now that the war appears to have drawn to a close I look to the present Govt. to put me in some position that my past energies may not have been wasted in vain. I do not like troubling you so much and also feel with others that it is hard and unjust I should be placed in a position that obliges me to be such a mendicant. I understand there is a difficulty in providing a suitable appointment, this surely cannot be the case, the county must have work for men that have much experience of the natives, and I should have thought that on this West Coast, or at the Thames my services could have been made available. The matter is however in your hands and I hope you will keep me in mind. I suppose your long deferred visit to this town will not take place now, until after the Session. Yours very truly Thos. McDonnell The Honorable Donald McLean