Manawatu 10th. April 1862. My dear Mr. McLean, I duly received yours of the 26th. ult. enclosing a letter for Hiriwanu. Lest there might be delay I engaged a messenger to take the letter to him for which I paid 6/-. The messenger brought back, a letter, in reply from Hiriwanu which I enclosed in a cover addressed to you, and forwarded by last week's mail. I saw Hoaru Mason yesterday who spoke of the surveyed block of land. He seems willing enough to sell, if he could get a price to please him. He asked me what I thought a fair price per acre. I told him I did not know, but I considered the sum he formerly spoke of 5/- as ridiculous; and reminded him him of the great expences of surveying, roadmaking et. With regard to Dr. Featherstone's proposal which he requested you to bring before me, I have to say that I cannot bring my mind to agree to it. I am unwilling to dispose of the land granted to me at Te Awa hiri - at least any large portion of it - and I do not feel as if justly called upon to do so against my inclination, as I do not think it is at present absolutely required for the purpose mentioned, or will be for many years to come. A larger block of country land might be more valuable to those able and disposed to form it; but it would not at all suit me. I wish to have a small piece of land enclosed for a few sheep etc. and am quite satisfied with the quantity already in my possession. But while having no desire to dispose of any part of it, I shall if it be thought necessary give up, on reasonable terms, about 15 acres of the most valuable of it - viz. a narrow strip along the river bank which would give a considerable piece of frontage to the Govt. land adjoining the School house. Will you be kind enough to let me know when you are likely to sail for Scotland. Mrs. Duncan and I would like you to call on our friends at Blackness near Linlithgow, and if I knew when you are to leave this country I would send with you an introductory note addressed to them. There is nothing particular occurring here. Old Epapa at Hartley died this week. And I am sorry to say that Kuraho is ill with dropsy and not kikely to recover. Ihakara brought him in a cart from Rangitikei last week and he is very carefully nursing him in his own house. He rode to Otaki a few days ago and brought the doctor to see him. With kind regards to you and your son, in which Mrs. Duncan unites. I am My dear Mr. McLean, Yours very truly, James Duncan.