London, 7 June /75 My dear Maclean, At the request of some very good friends I have just given to a young protege of theirs a letter of introduction to you, but I wish to add to it a few words of explanation - , the young gentleman in question, is the only son of a small Irish landed proprietor, and goes to N. Zeald. quite against the wish of his friends. He has been thro' Harrow and for a at Oxford, where he did very well and left for no fault of his own. To his family's disgust he has taken to Veterinary Surgery, in which he has passed very creditable examinations, and is going to New Zealand with very exaggerated notions of what he can do there, and especially of the manner in which he can get on in the Armed Constabulary. It seems no use him that he is doomed to disappointment; nothing but experience will convince him - Under these circumstances all I ask that you will kindly open his eyes as fully as possible. It is but fair to add that I have not seen him but that I hear he is thoroughly steady, very persevering in anything he puts his hand to, but also desperately obstinate when he takes an idea into his head. I have seen a good deal of Vogel, who is I fear in a very unsound state of health, but has nevertheless been working very hard for the Colony, and managed the Loan with great success. I trust you will make it go as far as you can, and , for it will be very difficult to borrow more money here for a considerable time to come. We have been astonished here and disgusted at the manner in which Sir G. Grey and his agitation have been taken up. However impracticable his schemes may, he will produce any amount of confusion and mischief in the Assembly and give you no end of trouble - My only comfort is that you may reasonably ask for a dissolution if you find it necessary, and thus give Grey time to quarrel with and betray his new friends, as he generally did with his old ones; he can never head a party for any length of time. Waterhouse leaves by the next Frisco Mail, so that he will be out some time during the Session. I envy him this position, but cannot myself get away before August or September, so as to be in the Zealand by Christmas - With kind regards to my old colleagues Ever sincerely yours John Hall