Repld. to 13 Augt. 1866 Hillthorpe Bay of Islands 13th July 1866 My dear Friend, I had the pleasure of receiving a Copy of your last Address to the Provincial Council of Hawke's Bay, for which I return you very many thanks, and especially so, for having remembered an old friend. It must be most gratifying to you, to find that, during your own administration, and not withstanding the recent outbreaks, the prosperity of the Province is steadily progressing, and its wealth rapidly increasing; Those feelings I feel sure, are shared by many of your old friends and Companions throughout the Country, but by none more than myself. If it were not, that I know your whole time and attention is taken up by the House, I should venture to trouble you at some little length, in reference to my present position with the Govt., and as the matter may possibly come before The House in the shape of a "Petition" I have put Mr. Ball, the Member for "Mangonui", in possession of all particulars, with a request that he would consult with yourself as one of my oldest friends. About the time the Seat of Govt. was moved and the Land Purchase Dept. ceased (politics ran high) I was requested by Mantell as Native Minister to suggest some further employment and I suggested that of Judge of the New N.L.Ct. for this Dist., but it is generally known, that the appt. was solicitation, offered to Mr. Manning, to keep him out of the field, and it succeeded. Since the I have been without pay with a large family to provide for, after 25 years service. Col. Russell is I have reason to think my friend, and I am now as you may imagine, anxiously waiting the final issue of the matter. Give my kindest and affectionate regards to Mr. Strang and wishing you every success in the House, I remain, dear M. r. McLean, Your faithful friend H. T. Kemp D. McLean Esq. M. H. R.