Mount Albert, Wednesday Night 29 March 1865. My dear Sir, I received your note from the Odd fellows Hall, Wellington today and lest I should delay longer by procrastination and the usual rurururu I send you back a line at once. We all regret exceedingly your illness which I heard of through the press at Whangarei and got a great talking to from Mrs. Farr for not writing to you for which I cannot offer an excuse except indolence - Every one here and at Whangarei are sorry to hear of your illness and I hope before now you are yourself again. Should you think of coming this way for a change I have a good bed room and you will not want for attention from all belonging to me whether I am here or not. I have been to Whangarei holding a court with Fenton who had the sense to leave all to me and consequently matters went well, but the extent of ground we settled was as 1 acre to 100 of my former transactions. The natives are however getting good prices for their small lots which is so far good and as I am getting my pay and allowance I suppose I cant complain. What a tragedy that was of poor Volkner's, the pai maririe is now in Kaipara and all kinds of rumours are rife as to the Waikatos intending to attack the Waikato district but it is I think a false report. Mantell promised to be back here in a month, he seems to delight in joking which is not business but I suppose it is all right. There is a talk of my being withdrawn from Kaipara which unsettles me at present but I should learn by this time to take matters quietly - Auckland is going on building as fast as if the Govt. had not been removed south, I doubt if it will continue. is now to be seen in many windows. I get along pretty well with Fenton but I shall never have the same interest in the work as if you had the management. I often think the time will yet comewhen you will be Native Minister. I hope you will manage to get into the House the first opportunity that offers - We are all well at Mount Albert and the people are beginning to look round pretty well they have been doing a fair trade in butter this last 7 or 8 months, keeping the House going and all that which has been a great relief to my pocket. The House is a very large one, not half finished but it is unnecessary to spend more money on it now. Nothing would please me more than to see you for the sake of a long korero which I hope will be realized before long - How are the sheep increasing, Had you a good clip this year, is your brother Alexr. on his own a/c and is the Captn. flourishing - your brother at Canterbury I presume is well to do now - What is Cooper up to, is Campbell all right in his office - and have you any fear of an outbreak in your part of the world. If there is anything doing in your part of the world under the New Act I should like to go there for three months or so for the sake of being near you - I saw a namesake of yours Capt. McLean a shipowner you know him we had a long talk about you on the whan, he has a splendid ship in Auckland now - Again hoping that this will find you well again I am, My dear Sir, Always yours very sincerely J. Rogan