Napier October 22nd 1875 My dear McLean I have not much to write you about having seen you you so recently. You will I doubt not be relieved at getting rid of the Parliament, it was a worrying Session for you. I cant describe how glad I was to get away I don't know when I have been so tired of a Session as I was this time - By the telegrams it seems Grey is going to Dunedin also Fitzherbert and Rolleston - this shows that they mean to fight the Provincial question - if your Government does what is right - no time will be lost in getting on the Elections. Depend upon it if you give the Provincial party time to organize, they will make a fight of it for they at the Elections, and have the Provincial organizations to work with - whereas your side being chiefly out district people will not work or combine - My strong advice is to lose no time in pushing on the Elections, and I should take care to have the first elections in places where the Colonial party is strong and the return of the Colonial party Candidates certain. A good deal hangs always upon the result of the few first elections - As regards our Hawkes Bay elections have all three come off about the same time - this would prevent the like of Buchanan putting up for each of the Constituencies in succession which he would very likely do I hear if there was an interval between the Elections. From what I hear the Sheehan motion debate has done us a great deal of good. The natives seem to think their leaders were thoroughly defeated and it seems the general impression here that when that scoundrel H. Russell goes to England the whole affair will break up. It will be a fortunate thing for this place and district if it does - at present the litigation connected with all Titles to land through natives is having a depressing effect - As an instance that the natives look on the late attempts of Russell and Sheehan as failures, I am told that the Wananga has since the Sheehan debate quite altered its tone and is no longer much sought after by the natives - We are having magnificent weather here day after day quiet beautiful sunny weather - also the country is looking charming - I think I never saw it looking better - I was looking over my Bank book last evening and could see no entry of Rent for House paid you last October - so I am afraid I must have omitted it. I will enquire about it, and if it is so, will pay in last year's rent with this years which is now due, and will be paid to your credit at once at the Union Bank. I must close I have a lot to do just now things having fallen very much into arrear during my long absence. On the whole everything here is very satisfactory. I do not think there is any chance of our having any trouble over our Elections or of getting the third seat properly filled, altho' report says that Buchanan means to try. Always Yours very truly J.D. Ormond