Melford Cottage, Napier 5th March/60 My dear McLean, I send you a bundle of letters by this post in connection with a select Committee of the Provincial Council here called to enquire into the manner in which the surveys were performed by the Surveyors attached to the N.L.P.D. You will see by my official letter to you that I refused to give information to the Superintendent unless compelled to do so -- as I felt that being attached to your department all information should be sought for and given through you. Tom has some object in this matter very likely to have a pitch into the Dept. in the House of Representatives if he gets in there, and thereby get a few turnips to join him, to fight the battle of Hawke or perhaps he is annoyed that you should speak in favour of Ferguson -- Old Fergy has resigned and I believe his circumstances are not in a good state. I think he was wrong to give up. We put Alexander in the Council indeed I may say for without me he would not have come forward, he is much changed for the better, is much talked of, as one whom the people ought to have brought forward long ago, and is an able opponent to Thomas. Tom has passed the noon tide of his glory here, Alexander is an awkward man for Master Tommy. The Miller ''sleek and good'' for he has no price. The offices of Commissn. of Crown Lands and Chief Provincial Surveyor are to be separated and Tiffen must hook it before long. The Rongitawahau Block, and part of Rameka having been surveyed by Lock and a tracing will be sent, This post if possible there has been too much money paid on it already. Cooper has never been there I have already informed you in my private letters what injury this man is doing the Public Service, and yourself it is a farce, and I can assure you that I will be glad to have finished my connection with him for he hates work, and will not permit another to use any zeal. Will you tell me my dear friend if I have done anything incorrect in the latter business of the Select Committee I did all for the best keeping in mind the duty which I owed to the Dept. to which I was attached. Cooper gave evidence but of what nature I do not know. By my requisition to you I drew seven shillings per diem Horse hire and travelling expences, as paid by Provincial Government. Now it was expressly understood between us (for you may remember you even offered me more) that I was to get 7/- every day see my reply to question 5 not as a field allowance only, but as horse expences and personal ditto. I find by the letter of instruction dated Napier Sept. 5th, 1859 you state ''your pay and allowance will be at the same rate as you at present receive from the Provincial Government while you continue in this service.'' i. e. seven shillings allow. every day, and old forage used to be for it is a matter those divils here would like a hold of, and use against me. It is a mistake official letter -- another proof is fare paid, in advance, the 7/- per every day for three months. Since writing thus far I have seen McGregor and others, and they are of opinion that it is Cooper who is working the matter against you and the Department, and I believe it is for if ever man holding an office deserved to be pulled up for neglect of duty he does and yet he escapes. This does not look well. If I can get at his evidence I will send you a copy. Pray do not forget the authority with regard to allowance 7/- for every day. Tiffen gets one pound for every day in the field away from home, making it nearly three times as much as 7/- so even if I was only 1/3 the time away from home I ought to get paid independent of your initial arrangement with me. On second thought I will enclose your original Instructions to me which you can change by a note in the margin or Postscrip,. Mrs. M. Fitzgerald and the baby send their kindest remembrances and believe me my dear McLean in great Haste (Miss Fitz is calling out) always, Yours faithfully and most truly, M. Fitzgerald. If you could manage to get the two letters attached to my name I believe that nothing could shake my position here but do not do so if it affects , for nothing would compensate me for any injury acqufed on my behalf. I told Cooper that as the block on which the natives would permit surveys would soon be finalised he had better Mr. Lock to Auckland. Lock will be a valuable acquisition to your department. M. F.