Melford Cottage, Napier, 26th July 1860 My dear McLean, I have sent you a tracing of three block between Tongoia and Waikari, and you will receive them this post. Master Tom is hard pressed in both Public and private affairs and I have kept the open column of the Herald at work. Tom wrote himself into Power and please the pigs I will help to write him out. Great depression here. No money. A sum of £150 was lent the other day, on good security house and land above mine on the Shakespeare Rd. at twenty per cent. The Govt. officers cannot get their salaries the men are being discharged and things look bad. Ormond is spoken of as the new Supt. and and he is likely to get in. Tom's attempt to get Sealy appointed Comiss. of C. Lands has failed. The Country members gave the matter such strong opposition. For Tom's recommendation for J. P.'s Sealy, J. H. Smith, Braithwaite and Maltby, he is under the thumbs of all and any of them, so much for political influence in making magistrates. I might be in Auckland before the end of August as something must be done. Always my dear McLean, M. Fitzgerald. Cooper has not arrived as yet. M. F.