Kaipara August 6, 65 My dear Sir, I wrote to you some time ago but I suppose the excitement of the East Coast Pai marire Native contingent together with your own late illness prevents your sending me the news - I am glad to see you are moving about at sea which shows you have recovered from the attack of sickness - I am not going to write a long letter as I have lately posted an official to Wellington asking for leave of absence for a short period to visit Napier on private business to see you. I am now about to leave for Whangarei and at the end of the present month I will start for Napier if leave be given me to do so - In the first place I should like to see you and as I told you long ago I have always had a desire to own about 1000 acres of land in Kaipara and that time has now arrived as the natives have decided on selling me a choice spot and I shall have to call upon you in the space of some months to let me have some tin to carry out my object. It is my intention to write you a line when I reach Whangarei, and until I see you I wish all success against the Hau Hau faction - All well at Mount Albert and the grass is growing. Yours very truly John Rogan D. McLean Esq. Napier