Hokianga Decr. 27, 69. My dear McLean, I have just this moment got your note the boy returns at once so I have only time to say that I am glad you are come for we had almost given you up I had expected to have had the pleasure of giving you your Christmas dinner and we killed mullet by the thousand we shall try again when you come. As I suppose you won't wish to hurry over and indeed it will be well for you to take things easy and see the natives on your way I think I shall not send a boaf to meet you till Thursday next the 30th. I shall send the boat to the and the men shall have orders to wait there till you come in case you should be detained on the road. You will find the Chiefs on the road especially the younger ones and all those over here a good deal in advance of Old March Brown who is an old Turk. I would go to meet you myself but am actually overwhelmed with work and am working double tides so as to have a day to myself of possible when you come The Natives have been looking for you here with anxiety for some time back. My Was only intended to shew you one more phase of the weakness of human nature the person and persons mentioned and their doings I utterly despise and value at naught. Yours sincerely F.E. Maning.