Alexandra 18th. September 1872. My dear Mr. McLean, Since the adverse note which led to the resignation of yourself and colleagues, I have been anxiously waiting, in the hope that some change in the political wheel of fortune might have induced you to retain the control and direction of Native Affairs. We all deeply regret that personal considerations should deprive the Colony of the administratative capacity of one, who has done so much to promote the interests and advance the welfare of both races. It is most unfortunate that a change of Government should have taken place in the present critical conjuncture of affairs. Just as you were elobarating your affairs and plans, and maturing your policy it must be very annoying to hand over the machinery to strange and hostile hands. Assuming that your successor pursues the policy you have initiated, and that our peaceful relations with the natives are not disturbed, I believe that even under these favourable conditions, the change of Government will have a very bad effect on the native mind, and more particularly in our immediate district. John Herbert came down from Otorohanga to-day, and tells me that poor old Lewis Herbert is dangerously ill. He seems to be mentally and physically paralysed, and I don't think he will last long. I have written a note to Dr. Waddington to go up and see him. Young Herbert informs me that the people about Tokangamutu are very dark respecting your retirement from Office. Te Kooti appears to have quite subsided for the present, and is planting at Mokau. Mair returned last evening from a Meeting that was to hare been held at Tirau; but Major Turner and East Coast natives did not put in an appearance, so ther was nothing done. The native feeling in that part of the country, between Cambridge and Tauranga is pretty favourable. I think they will not object to the construction of the proposed road. Our natives about here have a good deal of land under wheat this season; and I think generally the crops will be abundant. I shall probably have an interest in carrying out a section of Brogden's contract from Mercer to Auckland; and I am anxious to employ the natives on the cuttings. I think it would be a great achievement to see 200 Waikates and Ngati Maniapotos helping to make the Railway to Waikato!! But I am not sanguine of success; 2 years more of your policy would greatly assimilate the races; but the is not ripe. Your telegram I received just now, but I don't think I have anything further of interest to communicate. September 19th. I have just sent you a telegram announcing the death of poor old Herbert. He died early this morning. I suppose there will be a general scramble now to get hold of his money. Mary and John are the most deserving of the family. I shall, at all times, deem it a privelege, as well as a public duty, to keep you fully informed of the progress of events in this District. I am very faithfully yours (Signed) John D. Hill.