Napier Septr. 13 1867. My dear McLean, We have been anxiously expecting the arrival of the "St. Kilda" which steamer it was understood, by a letter from Locke to Rhodes, was to take Napier on her way to the Chatham Islands. By that opportunity I was anticipating to have authority to obtain further advances from the Bank. The contents of the Chest are rather low. No doubt by this time the Towns Consolidation Bill will have passed and upon the strength of it you will be able to raise the Loan and in the mean time obtain advances either from the Genl. Govt. or the Bank of N. Z. You will hear that the Council has been adjourned to the 1st. proxo., Rhodes not anticipating your or Ormond's return before the 29th. inst. The Estimates so far as they can be gone on with, are in course of preparation. I am going to ask if you would kindly oblige me by asking Mr. Stafford to place the names of one of my younger sons on the List for employment whenever a vacancy occurs in any of the General Government Offices at Napier - in a similar way that young Tylee is employed in the Post Office. My third son Alfred whom you used to see at school about 4 years ago, a very intelligent lad is now nearly 12 years of age (about the same age as young Tylee) and I think he will be well suited for office life. Possibly no doubt from my son Alfred being so young it would be difficult for some time for him to be employed, but there can be no harm in his having his name placed upon the List of Candidates if Mr. Stafford will be kind enough to do so. Yours very truly, J. C. Lambton Carter.