Auckland, 18 June, 1849. My Dear McLean, I have received with great pleasure your letter of the 28th ult. and am glad to learn you have got on so well with your negociations in purchasing land. You do not mention however anything in corroboration of a report that reached us here about your proposed alliance with a pretty little countrywoman of ours whom we had in Auckland on a visit some time ago. I hope the report is not groundless for the sake of both parties. We have made great strides in wealth, population, and improvements since you left this place and I am sure you would be gratified by another visit to it. Why do you not ask leave from Sir George if you wish to come up? The "Victoria" will soon be at Taranaki and may return immediately to England by which you might come by water and go back by land. Next fine season I am resolved to have some long excursions and should be delighted to have your company on one of them. Last year I went a fortnight's journey up the Waikato, which however I had visited before, but still I was much gratified by the trip. There are several districts of the country I should like to visit but none more than the region between the East Cape and Taranaki right accross the broadest part of the island, and if possible I will perform part of the journey next year. Taranaki and its snow peaked Mountain I long to visit also, and to accomplish that I look forward to your assistance in making arrangements for me whether you can accompany me or not. We have got out many Pensioners instead of other immigrants and several villages have been formed of them "Symonds" arrived on Saturday, 100 days from England, in charge of a party of these men as well as of a wife he got during his very short stay at home. Several other parties are expected to follow till at last we shall have as many old warriors I suppose as will make the presence of regular troops unnecessary. I beg you will let me hear from you occasionally and as I get Scotch Newspapers sometimes I shall send some to read as you may not otherwise have an opportunity to see them. Lately I have had but a very vague notion where you were. I remain, My dear McLean, Yours truly, A. Sinclair.