9th March, Napier. My dear McLean, The enclosed cut out of this days ''Herald'' it is Tom's last slap, at least the last act of his - I intend to give him a rub next week by way of exchanging compts. and you ought get him for his with your Dept. - I had a long talk with out new Member Stark he does not seem to understand much about Native affairs but I have thrown some light on this subject, he did not say much about you but was apparently against certainly not - he proposed no end of things but was obliged to admit after all that your Policy was the best that , but he must be kept up to the mark for I think that he is connected with some Auckland set - in opposition. Your Sister spent the day with us yesterday at a pic nic and my wife is going to see her and Mrs. MacLean at Maraekakaho next week - I am now engaged making some tracings for Cooper, one of the Waipukurau Reserves, which was surveyed and each time by the Provincial Government, Raurerere Ephrima, and a change in the Tikokino Reserve is yet to be done. But I cannot get Cooper to work, and believe that I would get on better without him, he is now about to go to Riddiford's run, and may not return for a fortnight I mention this to shew you that I am not to blame for delays. Will you give me notice if the Govt. intend to reduce your Dept. in this Province? I do not want to be the cause of any annoyance to you, but would of course like to have notice given me if my services are not required longer, and I do sincerely wish that you would obtain for me the unpaid office, long since spoken about, it would be a stepping stone in the change of Provincial Government affairs and of to me. I suppose you know that Capt.Cartir is to be the new Superintendent. Yours always, Very truly, H. Fitzgerald.