Napier, 12th April, 1865. My dear Bal I do not know anyone who can so well assist in securing 100 Military Settlers for service in this Province. You know nearly all the good hands and have the means of doing so through your old officials, Of course you will charge commission for this service as it must occupy a good deal of time and trouble. Scully who you know will do all the detail part of the work. The Star of the South is chartered to bring the Men down and remains 24 hours to know if the complement of men can be enrolled in 5 days - if not you must keep Scully to enlist the men and arrange with the Companys steamer to bring them down at the lowest rates which will probably not exceed £2, each, the great thing is to get good steady men, those partially or wholly drilled would be preferable. Scully has been already employed in this service at Otago and you will find him most zealous. Cape people if you think well of them especially those who have been at the frontier preferred. I enclose a copy of the Charter of the Star of the South. Sir George called here on his way to Auckland, I have not seen him looking so well for a long time. I remain, Yours faithfully, (Sigd.) Donald McLean.