near Patangata 25th. Sept. 1864 D. MacLean Esquire, Napier. My dear MacLean, I have thought it as well to report to you briefly the following In coming up the Middle road the other day I learnt at Mr. Fosters station that there was much complaining that the repairs of the road were not commenced, and that a requisition was to be sent to me to resign for neglecting the interests of she said road. This is rather amusing - and may be true but the facts I think are these. Foster says he cannot fence in, and put up his Woolshed because the alterations by his house are not commenced. I told him I had seen Mr. Webber, and that his present attention was given to this road, that I would write to you hereon, tho in doing so, it is to impute any neglect to Mr. Webber, but Foster particularly asked me to do this, and I wished you to know of what he informed me of. One person who is always complaining is W. Couper - aided by John Buchanan and the former declares enough money is not voted etc. That may be true, and I think is so, but I am not Member for the Middle road as I told Foster, and I have always done the best I could do for it. From what he said I find Couper talks very large, and of what he wd. do if in my place, and of course Buchanan still more. I have thought it as well to report to you what was said to me by Foster - to whom I am not much known - and who said he should call upon you in Town. The fact is, the needful repairs, and alterations should be commenced at once. We have been for years neglected for that Te Aute road until the settlers get angry. There is much wool sent down by it at higher rates from our runs - by nearly double than from Waipukerau and Ruataniwha - and stores are dear in proportion by reason of the want of a good road. For 2 years past I have been kept in constant hot water with some of the settlers, and they imagine that I am to a great extent responsible for what has been needed. It needs £500 to do the requisite. A Mr. John Davis of Ngawakakatara was very abusive about this road, and has been making matters worse. Mr. Webber can tell you who he is. I will not trouble you farther, and I must beg you will excuse some haste, as I have no end of things to see to. Many natives are now at Patangata. I do not interfere with them, but their horses trespassing here, and their coming for them etc. will be stopped as soon as I can do it. They have more stock than they can keep and cooly drive them over to me, and then when wanted gallop about to recover them - no matter among sheep or not. Accept my dear Sir, my best thanks for your many kindnesses to me when in Town. Be assured that I shall not resign upon what I consider an unfounded request although I can truly say that I am quite willing to do so when an old and respectable settler will stand and can get returned. Foster said Chapman had no chance I asked him how he could tell that - he said he had better means of knowing than I had. I must apologize for this intrusion upon your time and patience, and remain Always Very faithfully yours, E.S. Curling. Foster was very civil and said he thought he ought to tell me what some of them intended. Probably himself among them - this no constituent of time. Then there are the Douglasses - formerly with Dr. Featherston and now partners with Davis in a Native run from Ngawakatatara going towards Napier.