Private Napier 5 Decr. 59 My dear MacLean, It afforded us much pleasure to hear of your recovery which altho' only in part is satisfactory as doing away with the suspense attending such illness as yours. Surveys - They are not progressing as they might, my diary which I anclose to be made official, if you wish, will explain this. The sooner a certain gentleman gets another appointment the better for the public service. I am heartily sick of his coolness in causing private interests to take precedence of Public. A little too, I fear, of feeling is connected with the way in which I have been appointed, but I would not serve the government under him. Porongahau. Nothing has been done. Parerere ditto. Tikakino Reserves 500, 200 and 50, and eleven blocks of 100 acres having been surveyed and marked out, but the lines thro' the bush are not yet cut. I want to mark without doubt the external boundaries, so that there may be no chance of cavil. I proposed to go to Ruketetere to mark out reserve of 600 ac. but Cooper informs me that the Natives will not go before Xmas. We are in consequence going to Takapau with I fear but little chance of getting any work done. Dan Munn. Left me suddenly on 29 Oct. He was little worth - and the horse sold to you by his father is broken winded, and a stumbler! the other nag is a good one. Advances. I pay in the balance £53. 9. 3 to sub-Treasurer today and will hand over £233 to Cooper as per requisition which I dated 3rd Decr. thus all is right. Surveys (Native). My idea is that District Commr, should proceed and arrange with natives, before Surveyor, on the ground, and that Simple subject of the work should be treated upon flying visits are not sufficient for the District Commr. to pay the Surveyors. Owners to be subject to certain rules say, the Provl. land regulations, in the marking out of the land, which shoxild in all instances as well as allowances for Roads be clearly explained to them. Every portion of work to be openly (publicly) executed and shewn on the ground as it is being executed. Information to be given the natives , and not by . Myself. Tom wants me to leave the N.L.P.D. and join the Provincial work, I could not see this, as he (Tom) placed Bousfield on the rank and pay that I would get. Tom seeing me firm, consented to increase my salary but I left the matter over until Xmas when I will see him again and write to you. He (Tom) is screening Tiffen, and will do so in my opinion as long as he has a vote in the council it is my intention to kill two birds at once by inducing Alexander to stand for the Country districts as Tiffen takes pay I think we can get him to resign., Do not think me troublesome my dear Maclean, when I ask you to try and get the Governor to stick those two letters after my name, it will be a great means of pushing me on Ferguson. I do not think his finances are flourishing - he won't resign. Alexander McL has not been well but is now looking all right. The Station looks promising and if Donald McLean would only come to live there it would gladen the heart of one Paddy at all events. My wife is doing well. I have great anxiety about her altho' wedded life is the happiest of all it sometimes gives rise to the most dreadful feelings of doubt and hope deferred but all God's work is right and in him I have hope. Believe me my dear McLean, Yours very sincerely and truly in friendship M. Fitzgerald.