2nd November, /63 Whangarei My dear McLean I am only this day in receipt of your favour of the 13th ult. requesting me to forward a sum of £20 to Raniera, now I assure you that I never felt more annoyed (not at you) than when I read your letter. I was applied to in October 1862 for this money and on referring to my Bank account, find that a sum of £21.4.0 was forwarded by draft on Bank of N.S. Wales at Wellington to Mr. Wardell R.M. enclosed in letter to him requesting him to hand the same to Raniera without delay, and send me Raniera's-receipt for it this Mr. W. has not done and I have written to him on the subject also to Raniera by this Mail - I returned from Auckland on Saturday the 31st ult. and such a state of confusion, disorder it never was my luck to see before. A well snubbed Governor and no ministry tho my Friend Fox is hard at work trying to form one but the people are to a man opposed to him, fearful that he will only join Sir G. Grey to patch up a wretched peace. A vigorous prosecution of the war is the only cry now in Auckland. Thank God we are still all quiet here to the north of Auckland and I think will continue so. If Fox comes in, of course I shall have to walk out, so if there is a vacancy in the Survey Dept. or anything in your part of the country to employ an idle man, I shall be happy to hear of it. Expecting to have the pleasure of seeing you soon, I am, Very faithfully yours, Will N. Searancke D. McLean, Esqre., etc. Napier.