Wellington 23 Decbr. 1866 My dear Maclean, I write you a few lines about the Telegraph privately, as officially I am waiting your answer to the last Colonial Secretary's letter. We have sent to England for sufficient wire, etc. to make the line as far as Napier; We have a let a contract for Poles and their erection from Wellington to Masterton, and we have advertised for tenders for the same work between Masterton and Castle Point, intending to carry the line by the Coast - I am now anxious for information as to the character of the rest of the line, and propose myself to go over it as soon as I can get away from here, probably in a month or six weeks time. In the meantime I should feel much obliged if you would tell me where the best line of road leaves the coast and strikes inland towards Napier, and which of the several lines of road shown on the map is the one generally used and most available - Also for how much of the line, it is practicable for a dray, and what supply of Black Pine or Totara timber there exists in positions easily accessible from the Road - also the length of road from Castle Point - Excuse this trouble, and only answer my queries as briefly as you like. I have not had an opportunity in this of congratulating you on your great success in October last. The whole matter was admirably managed, and deserved the success it attained. Believe me, Sincerely yours, John Hall. Have you a man who knows the Road I speak of, whom you could send to meet me at Castle Point or Masterton if I gave you timely notice? P. P. S. As the balance of advantages seem to be in favor of the Napier-Auckland Telegraph going by Poverty Bay instead of Taupo, I am thinking of asking Whitaker and yourself to select two good men to start from Opotiki and explore, one North and the other South, the best line along which to carry the line - What do you think of this?