To:Preece Esqr Wairoa Napier 23rd January 1869 Dear Sir, I received your private note of the 14th Inst. and I am glad you have taken Mr.Deightons advice and accepted Mr. Richmonds offer, your position in the Civil Service is not likely to be in the least interfered with by your doing so. I should like to see you return to the District where you commenced your career but that must of course be subject to the interests of the public service. I am exceedingly obliged for your thoughtfulness in sending Mr.Cannings match box which will be duly handed to his brother. Your letter would have been replied to earlier had I not been absent for some days in the country. It will always afford me much pleasure to hear from you. I remain Yours truly, Donald McLean