Melford Cottage, Napier 3rd May 1861 My dear McLean, I received your kind note from Waiuku, but address this to Auckland as I presume you have returned to Head quarters by this train. Lock has left, and is employed by the Provincial Government Cooper down here, doing as much as usual, he is about to go to Wellington (I believe by next ''Swan'') the Arapawanui etc. near Waikare, land will be surveyed by the end of the month, altho I am still lame, I will proceed thitherwards by Saturday or Monday next. What am I to do when this work is completed? shall I settle up my accounts and no longer be an officer of the Government, General or Provincial. I see no other course, for Cooper says there is no more work to be done. Many thanks for your kindness about the J.P. it will be an immense advantage to ''set me up'' just now I hear that Tiffen is about to go to England. Natives quiet, but the Supt. and his co-partner the Ex Revd. is doing no good with them and they ought to be set to rights. The Revd. Samuel W. is a little to free with his speech about the Taranaki business. Takapau and Porongahau Middle block (Canning's run) is said by Cooper to be in a mess especially Takapau which as far as he is concerned is never likely to put straight. Your presence here would do much good. Who is the big fat party who hails from the N.L.P. D. he is more like a ranting parson than anything else, he said the Governor could not possible come to Napier but that he did!!! I have written to Ligar and O'Raffertty to Melbourne but do not like the idea of leaving New Zealand, however, whatever is, is right. Always your Most sincere friend, M. Fitzgerald