Wallingford Jany 17th/65 My dear McLean, I am very busy in the midst of my shearing and shd. not be writing to you this mail if I had not promised to do so on behalf of one of my poorer neighbours. I understand from Carter that the remaining sections of the Wallingford Township are to be opened for purchase. In some of the cases Govt. has promised to add the value of premises and improvements on sections to their upset price. I want you please to do the same in the case of Adam Mathers the occupant of Section no. 38. The man is the District shoemaker and has been in occupation of the premises for some years and has from want of knowledge failed to apply as others have done to get the value of his improvements put on to the upset price of the Section. He wants his house and garden valued at £30 which is in my opinion reasonable. I hear you are better and have the Taupo natives on your hands on a land selling expedition - What did you think of my notion of political land purchasing in that District. I see Grey has not moved - that confounded Seat of Govt. question may give trouble yet. I do not approve of Mantell as Native Minister altho' a great friend of his. He is too crochety. Hoping you are yourself again I must close this being tired out with my shearing work. Yours always, J. D. Ormond.