Camp, Whangapouri 16th Mar. 72. My Dear Mr.McLean, I am getting along with this work. Gundry is doing the Western and I the Eastern end of the road over so as to save time. It is a more difficult thing to get a road with a fair gradient - one in ten -over, than I had anticipated. The road, as I have laid it out, so far, touches the river in several places, by which arrangement McFarlane (or Craig) will be able to get to their logs. Whether I can fairly make the road emerge at the "Booms" so as to give them command of the outlet is a matter that must depend on the levels of the country. I will do what I can. I have a very delicate task, being watched by both parties with their lawyers, as well as by the natives. However, I have kept on good terms with them all and have had no stoppage or collision and hope to have none. The floods have kept the country under water all about here for the last ten days. I think it would do good if a number of the Ministry were to come to Auckland for a time I am not satisfied with the state of political feeling. Gillies is thought to have gained strength and there is, fostered by his people, a feeling of dissatisfaction at the Waikato Railway having so little done to it. This dissatisfaction is amongst a whole army of Engineers contractors store keepers etc. who all expected business, and who all grumble at its absence. The monied men such as Russell and the principal merchants, are steady supporters of the Government, but I am not so sure of the Provincial people - and amongst them some late additions to the "House". The presence of a member of the Govt, would, I am sure, have a beneficial effect. Excuse my allusion to the subject. Yours very truly My DearMr.McLean C. Heaphy.