My dear MacLean, I thank you very much for the advice you gave to Whitaker about Harold's property at Clive. I should be disinclined to sell it unless I got more that it is worth, as I think, with you, that land in New Zealand must encrease in value added to which, if Harold marries and retains his love for Australasian Colonies he may go to N. Z. and settle on his own property. He is now reading with "a crammer" for Woolwhich but his chance of success depends on the qualification of the competitors who may happen to go up for examination with him. The competition for employment in this country is now so severe that no young man can be at all sure of success. I am, as you probably know, a Director of the National Bank of New Zealand where I hear a good deal about New Zealand affairs which always interest me much. You seem to be progressing most prosperously and all admit that the peace of the Colony has been secured by your having joined the Government. This is not a little satisfactory to me as, when we worked together, I always felt that you were a tower of strength to me and one on whom I could place implicit confidence not only as a public officer but as a friend. My wife tells me she is writing so no more at present. from Yours very sincerely, T. Gore Browne Athenaeum Club, Pall Mall, 7 November 1873