Friday evening 16th Dec. 1864 My dear McLean I was too late at the Spit to see you on my way home tonight, but I suppose you found everything in order - I did not open any Tenders - In the matter of the Ferry at Clive, care should be taken to allow no drunken lazy parties to have the same, even if their tenders were much higher than any others and Securities comparatively good - I do not know that any such people have actually tendered for the punt, but I had several applications on the subject from people in every possible way unfitted for such a post - of course after you ascertain the names of the tenderers you can easily by enquiry find out their character - A bad ferryman would be a public nuisance under any circumstances -I gathered from the returned member the Auckland topics of interest; but little that I did not know before -You do not seem to have had a very amusing time at Auckland - and Sir George is the master spirit yet that is clear - how will he end? India or disgracetoss up - Will he sell the mission cause in the end or is he really afraid of the mysterious power that aways public opinion at home so often - Sir G. ought to know that it is the last pound that breaks the camels back and stop short - The new tariff I am afraid will defeat itself by undue encouragement of smuggling especially near Auckland. Yours very truly Joseph Rhodes