Ahuriri, 1st. May 1863. Donald MacLean Esquire, My dear MacLean, I have been very exceedingly busy since my return inland, or would have written you sooner. I beg to tender you my best thanks for your great kindness to me while in Town, your hospitality and wish to make me comfortable, of which I am fully sensible. It has not been my lot to see any of the settlers, but the Natives I have seen (some 2 or 3) appear cheerful and in good trim. Some of them at Patangata short of food this season I do what I can for - and I think they will be hard pushed this winter as Potatoes are not to be had. I have been thinking about C's application to you for the School business, which I almost believe will be used to serve his political purposes, in talking to the parents, and others, while going his rounds in virtue of his office. But you are the best judge. Another matter you may excuse my naming now as it is not my intention to trouble you with letters. It is this - that I hear and see persons who are desirous of getting out their friends from home under the immigration vote, who I beleive never intend to pay the expenses incurred therein who will appeal to your personal knowledge of them - or ask you to accept as Bond - men of straw - or men whose continued residence here is doubtful. The real object they have is to bring out their relations at the Govt. cost - not intending to pay eventually. You will excuse this private information as there are several about this who came to Wellington by the same means, and who boast how they defrauded that Government of the passage money. Old Henderson, formerly Govt. messenger in the Wellington offives, was a short time back going to send his wife to Auckland to see Domett to ask him to bring out her brother and some 5 grown up children - and now I find he is with the same object going to see you to make the same appeal. And probably others. But when these persons cannot find Bond among their neighbours you may be sure there is a screw loose as to the money question, and they will use any trick to bring out probably some worthless relations - mechanics or others - whom they represent here as shepherds, or agricultural labourers; these are the men more needed than the town people. I have declined Bond for 3 or 4 because I see clearly the intention of the applicant, and they imagine by going to Napier, and seeing yourself that they will induce you by some well got up tale to relax the regulations in their favour. Aware that if the Govt. lost money by such people, the enemy will hereafter attack you, and wd. be glad of the chance, I am induced to mention the matter. These persons think it a good joke to cheat a Govt. who pay for the passage of their friends. By this mail I enclose you the Pamphlet you asked me for on "Waterloo" which I make a present of, and you can let the Major see it. My Father has been at sea, and was once taken prisoner by a French privateer in the last century when he was a Boy on a voyage to the East Indies. But he has an extraordinary knowledge of the whole of the Military affairs of the Great War. His brother was on the field before the dead were buried at Waterloo. I also present you with Major Pringles work which will interest you perhaps. We have had so much fighting goingg on of late years in Europe - and now in America - that few persons care to read the affairs of 1815, or, indeed feel any interest in the great event of that year. By the last mail I had a letter from home in which I find a relative of mine who was Lieutenant R.N. in 1816 expects to be made Commander this year. What would we say to be 43 years Lieutenant and to live on the half pay they get. Excuse this digression. from yours most sincerely, E. S. Curling. To:-- Donald MacLean, Esquire, Superintendent, to Napier