Wallingford September 18th, 64 My dear McLean, This will be handed to you by one of my men. Will you kindly write a few lines to old Hapuku asking him to let the man and the Leicester Sheep (he is going to bring the imported sheep up) stop at his place for the night and to let the Leicesters have paddock room in some safe place where the man can see to them and where the dogs wont get at them. Please tell him you will settle with him for this accommodation and do so for me. This will prevent the man getting into any row or trouble with. them. I am very busy to night and have little time to write you on business matters. As to the colonization Scheme I agree with you let us stick if possible to our own views as expressed in the Council's resolution - About the Troops working inland I told Weber (when here the other day) to lay out sufficient work for them to go on with, whilst he is up here, so that if you settle matters with Dwyer they can go to work at once. If we dont get them there is no harm done but I hope we shall for the saving to the Province would be very great. About the Timber for Ngarororo bridge I should advise immediate steps being taken to get it from Australia or where ever it can be got cheapest be got cheapest I am quite satisfied the timber can/be got down from inland in time to get the bridge built this summer - press Weber on with the calling, for Contracts for the erection of the Bridge - the sooner that is out the better our chance of geeting a contractor from elsewhere or the price brought down. I see what you say about probable land purchase I fear from what I can gather that you will find the 40 mile bush purchase a more difficult one than you expect. Karaitiana is the only one who can tell you much in that - it is in his hands and if you can get him, you get the rest - try if you can do anything with him. In that particular purchase price is no object - and the time we have work in is getting terribly short. If we don't get one share of the three million before the Assembly meets in February we have no chance of getting it at all. I must not write more tonight. Yours always, J. D. Ormond Little Geordie sends his love and is very much pleased with his books.