My dear McLean Paul begs me to write to you to introduce the subject of the Taupo track. He has brought some hands to the Mohaka and will be ready to set to work whenever the thing is arranged. What might, I think, be done is to make a contract for cutting a track as indicated by your surveyor say a chain wide at once, for so much. Never mind the level (mean thus) Of course hereafter the line can be levelled a little but the cutting part at present would cost a good bit while I think Paul would do it for a very small sum comparatively. I think if this line is first cut, so that horses and packs can go through the rest will not stand much in the way. If after all we have talked about this affair Paul needs any introduction it will be queer to me but I may say that in many dealings I have had with him I have found him a man of his word, a man rather of acts than words, and more in his ways like a European than any Maori I know. He is quick to take your meaning and has more real authority with his people than any chief I have yet seen. He stands no nonsense from them and will make them take reasonable terms for anything one wants done. Believe me Sincerely yours G. S. Whitmore 28 Nov. 1867