Napier, January 25th, 1871 My dear McLean, I have put off writing to the last moment and must now do so hurriedly - fortunately I have not a great deal to write about - This afternoon I go to Te Aute on my way to Waipawa where my election comes off tomorrow. It is all right with no chance of any opposition - Yours went off quietly enough the whole affair being over in ten minutes. On the whole the Elections are going off well and there will be a fair sprinkling of new blood - All the prominent Men on both sides appear to get in without opposition - The Otago Superintendency and Prov. Council elections will test the question of opinion in the South