Private and Confidential. Wellington Decr. 14th 1858 Donald McLean Esq. Auckland. My Dear Sir, I have just come down here for a few days and as there had been much discussion at Ahuriri before I left relative to the proper person for a Superintendent of our New Province I thought of applying to you on the matter for advice as to what course we should pursue --- Domett has been put forward by Colenso, Alexander and Co. and Capn. Newman by many others as you will doubtless ere this have learned --- Domett in the opinion of the great majority of the settlers is not the man we should choose, and Capn. Newman is objected to by others as being too hasty etc. so what are we to do? Capn. Newman I think is not very anxious to come forward if some other person of good repute could be found. Is there any chance of your coming yourself to reside amongst us, and would you be disposed to take an active part in our concerns --- I believe that with you we could successfully battle against any attempt to put a man like Domett at our head --- if you will forgive my troubling you with such a direct question I will assure you that I would keep any expression of your opinion that you did not wish to be known in entire secrecy as I trust you will regard this letter in the same way. My sole desire being to aid in placing some one at our head that would give us a lift in the world and on whose character we could depend --- instead of a lazy indolent man like Domett, for clever though he may be as aliterary man I do not think he is fit for the position Colenso is so anxious to see him in as I have no doubt he would be one of his chief advisers as well as his greatest toady --- My own opinion and that of many others is that if you had any thought of coming to live at Ahuriri and that we could put you forward, there would not be a doubt about your return --- and my belief is that Capn. Newman would be one of your firm supporters as his principal wish is to see some respectable man and not such a one as Domett filling the chief office amongst us --- I shall return in a few days by the Wonga and hope to hear from you at Napier at your earliest convenience meantime believe me to remain Yours very faithfully T.H. Fitzgerald