Coromandel Sept. 22nd /62 My dear Sir I was very much supprised to find from Mr. Turton that he has had instructions to dispence with my services after this month had I known that the appointment would have been of so short duration I certainly should not have accepted it, and I take the earliest opportunity of asking you if you would be kind enough to use your influence on my behalf There is certainly not a great deel of but I often settle questions between Maories and Europeans without any reccord of it appearing in the office, and for the past month I have done most of the clerical work of the office: and having been repeatedly promised by different members of the Government the first subordinate appointment in this district it seems rather hard that I should be turned out in such a summary manner. Mr. Turton at first recommended that I should be clerk and Interpreter, and I could have managed the work well enough In fact I have done it Mr Baddelley being so much engaged with the Post Office Hoping that I am hot asking too much in begging your interference Believe me to remain Yours sincerely J. W. Preece D. McLean Esqr.