Feby. 6/46. Dear McLean, I have not gone home to Scotland as I wrote you I thought I would and I still keep office. You will hear that great reduction will take place in the public departments at the end of this quarter and that the Protectorate will be on quite a new footing. Do not despair about your continuance in office and as you have done your duty to the satisfaction of your superior officers you may depend that I will continue to do all I can for you in or out of office whilst your conduct continues to be the same. The Governor will visit Taranaki soon and you will hear then what and how far any change may affect you. I would be obliged to you for any Native carving you could get for me even at some cost. Pray excuse my short Note as I am just now much hurried. Yours truly, A. Sinclair.