My dear Mr. McLean, How glad should I be to see you in Auckland, there are so many things to be done which you alone can do. Your presence seems indispensable, for the simple reason that you are respected by the Native people and the medium of communication between the Government and the Native population should be a person who has the confidence of the Natives --- this is absolutely necessary, especially in these times of excitement. Mr. Smith of Rotorua is acting for you, and altho he is an excellent Maori scholar, amiable and religious, still the Natives do not like him. I trust therefore you will speedily come up to resume your duties as Native Secretary as well as Principal Commissioner for the land matters too are suffering from your absence and there are not wanting those who take advantage of your absence to try and injure you in various ways. If Mr. Kemp or even Mr. Johnson were acting for you matters would not be so bad butmere strangers differing far in policy altogether makes everything in the Native Departments unsettled and unsatisfactory. Do come up as soon as you can and do not consider this officiousness on my part, but consider it the act of a friend, Yours respectfully, C.O. Davis. Feb. 23/56.