Via Panama Private. 3 Adelaide Place, King Wm. Street, London 29 Septr. 1866 My dear Sir I do not write you officially by this mail for the matter s not yet arranged but I am in hopes that Miss Rye will supply upwards of 200 people for a direct ship for Hawkes Bay sailing from this early in November. It was only yesterday that the Lady called and proposed doing it. In course of conversation with her it appears the people were intended for Victoria but in consequence of her getting no instructions from that Government by the last mail she has them on her hands. So if we get them it is by accident, however upon reference to yourinstructions which I find dates as far back as October 1864 I find you neither limit the time nor the number of people she is to send. She talks of sending about 70 single women and fifty families. I could not help remarking to her on the large number of the former, but she thought it not too many for the province. I also endeavoured, by way of suggesting, to confine her selection to families with not more than two children and if the step is carried out I hope it will be done, however I am not invested by you with any power to insist on it. I have seen Messrs. Shaw Savill and Co. about the conveyance of the people, owing to Miss Rye requiring them not to take any cabin or other paying passengers in the ship unless nominated by her and to adopt the dietary, regulations and fittings as used by the Emigration Commissioners, which are more expensive than those hitherto adopted by me, I may have some difficulty in getting them to take the contract especially when all the passage money, which will come to a considerable amount, is payable in the Colony. However you may rest assured I shall not allow the arrangement to fall to the ground on account of any financial difficulty which I can individually overcome. It is too important an object for the Province, the introduction of a well selected class of Emigrants, and I am sure you will recognize and confirm whatever arrangements I shall have occasion to make. By next mail I hope to address you officially upon the subject, in the meanwhile I write to warn you what may be carried out. Knowing you are deeply interested in the state of the Wool Market I enclose a report upon the last sales which may be of interest. Sir Charles Clifford, Mr. Purvis Russell and Lady return to the Colony by this mail. I am, My dear Sir Yours faithfully John Morrison His Honor D. McLean Esqre Hawkes Bay.