Coromandel Feby.21st /61. My dear Sir I am sorry that I did not see more of you when I was in town as I wished to speak to you in particular. However I take this opportunity to ask you if you could use your influence to obtain for my Father some appointment. It may not be out of place perhaps for me to mention to you (in private) that we are now about £1200 in debt the most of our sheep died last winter---so that we are in a fair way to ruin I think I could manage the farm better if I had a little more of my own way in it as I do not think that my father understands it he is too sanguine. I recommended him to apply for one of the places in this Native Councill should there be one open, as he has as good a knowledge of the natives as many and 30 years experience but he was afraid of being refused but I am sure he would gladly accept it should he be offered it or any other that would not be too arduous so I have without his knowledge taken the liberty of asking you to do your best for him. Should you wish to continue the position here if you think that my farming would not interfere with it I would willingly take it I enclose herewith a few lines from my Mother on the same subject. Hoping that I am not asking too much of you believe me to remain Yours truly J.W.Preece D. McLean Esqr. Auckland