Auckland 27 April [18]47 Dear McLean It will I presume surprise you to receive a letter from me, so long silent but though I never write I often enquired for you and it gave Mrs Hill, I and family pleasure to hear of your getting on so well. You are of course aware that we left for Sydney when we expected a general outbrake and attack on Auckland and remained one year in Sydney. My children could all get on there but there was no open for me and I did not like to divide my family as I intended returning in peace having brought under the preemption system 400 acres of land beyond Epsom how that may end we cannot at present tell under Govr Grey's administration but it was having it bought prevented me settling in N.S.Wales as I was promised at the time of my return an influential Govt person interest unasked. It was to the present day £1000 loss to me leaving here as I was £300 a year at the time in the butchery business and the improvement and chances during the last two years took my loss to that amt including money drawn from home and spent in Sydney. I have started Carlton in the business again and it is doing pretty well. I and family live distinct from the business that it might not operate against me hereafter in the event of any thing turning up. I have written home to my friends to apply for an appointment for me in the police but a change of ministry having taken place I don't know would they now apply being a different party. In the meantime I am going to apply to Gov Grey and lay my documents before him including my commission as Lieutenant of Infantry at home but I am aware a word from a friend is of far more weight and as I know your interest with the Colonel Secy I would feel very much obliged for a letter from you to him in my favour introducing and recommending me to his notice. There was a vacancy here sub-inspector of police but it is filled up by a Mr White from Port Nick this week. As my family can all do well here, the three girls being in business at the milinary and dress making, I can't say that I would object to leaving Auckland if appointed as it will be perhaps a year or year and half more before we have about our land so that if no vacancy here in the additional force of 100 going to be raised perhaps there might be with you either as subscription or clerk to Magistrate's Court of nothing better as I don't like being idle till land is settled about. I have sometimes wished Carlton had went with you, however let me hear from you first opportunity and point out anything you can suggest. Mr Hand family join in kindest regards to you and will be happy to hear from you with Yours sincerely & very truly James C Hill PS. You will regret to hear poor Kenedy is very badly off. He was doing well at Xmas and his few friends rigged him out respectably. He promised to be steady but his good fortune over heated him and instead of keeping steady drank more and his brain evidently took a round turn. His friends advised him to go over to the North Shore for some time to be out of the way at a friend's. He did [word missing] but one day left the house and was not found from Friday evg till Monday evg where he was found sitting on a heap of stones in the bush nearly dead being paralyzed from the body down. He was but over and Mrs Bigam took every care and recovered him. He is now moping about doing nothing and I cannot say will get ... Townsend is in charge of a station at Adelaide - by the by I would feel thankful if you would send me by Capt Rickards of the Victoria first opportunity the hair cushion lent you at Cowekarow. It was the Mrs sofa cushion and she feels the want of it. Mrs McDonald (late Anderson) said you took it with you. Faithfully yours J C Hill Excuse this scratch as I am hurried