Napier Novr. 12th, 1875 My dear McLean It is late and the Rangatiras mail closes for Wellington first thing tomorrow morning - There is no especial news to send you. Everything is going on right here - There is a little talk about the Elections but I take it you are sure to head the Poll for Napier with W. Russell second. Your address was inserted as you wished - The Mayor is supported by the Telegraph and the Opposition people generally, but I dont think he has a ghost of a chance - As far as he himself is concerned he pretends to be friendly to us but he is a snob and not to be trusted - Rumour still says that Buchanan and Lee will yet try for Napier but nothing certain is known. Sutton will not stand - If he had chosen he wd. have been sure of Election - he has a great following in Napier Town - For Clive I scarcely expect opposition. Some people say Buchanan is to stand against me - but he will not have a show if he does - He wd. have a far better chance for the second Napier seat - The Public Works management here is damaging us more than enough. Only today I had an indignant remonstrance from Waipawa about the Station there - It seems that for some unaccountable reason Te Aute - Kaikora and Waipukurau have all got better Stations both for Passenger and Goods accommodation than Waipawa - As you know Waipawais as big as all the other three places put together and will do more traffic both goods and passenger than the other three stations together yet they are to have better accommodation. Waipawa is really growing an important place and has a large population and trade. There are two Banks there - You may fancy the indignation of the Waipawa-ites at being ranked below Te Aute (which has about 4 houses) Kaikora where there are neither people or trade. I have wired Richardson about it, but it really is too bad that for want of asking me what is right, such mistakes shd. be made - The truth is there is a large Department of useless officers here - doing nothing except eat up the funds which ought to be spent in opening up the country, and being idle they are overbearing to the Settlers and make mischief. All I can say is that if the Public Works in other parts of the Colony are being looked after as they are here it is enough to ruin all the Central Govts. in creation - I am bound to admit no such waste of money of unnecessary officials could take place under a Prov. Govt. nor could the same mistakes be made. It is the talk of the District and is damaging us very much - I wired you this afternoon that the Wairoa purchases are being satisfactorily concluded which is a good thing - H. Russell is at Waipukurau surrounded by natives and I conclude at mischief - Are you looking after the Native Seats if you are not the enemy is - there shd. be no difficulty in returning all four Native Members right - We are having fine growing weather but too much wet for the shearing. Yours always J.D. Ormond