5 a.m. Woburn Feby 1. 64 My dear Maclean, I heard yesterday that the men now engaged on the line of Road between Waipaoa and Tukituki are to be with drawn and put on the line near Eparaima. If I could ee the slightest necessity for pushing on this isolated part of the line, I should not offer one word of objection but the proposed change is so manifestly unfair and unnecessary at all events at the present moment when the whole produce of this District dayed to Napier is conferred to the country 10 or 12 miles north of the point where the men are moving to Bendes you will find that below or to the north of that point a considerable outlay has been expended on the side line to Blackhead. The matter is giving a good deal of talk here and I think not without cause when you look at the heavy pull both from Waipaoa and Tukituki and the consequent unnecessary waste of animal power. I trust you will in the position of completing the whole line between the two rivers and it will take the present force the whole of the runaway season to do so - surely Eparaima can either wait or a fresh lot of men put on it. I am very hurried this morning but his Lordship will be able to satisfy you on the absolute necessity there is for going on with the present work. Horse waggons can now manage the line as it is now without great difficulty. Yrs. Purvis Russell.