Wellington October 19th. 1869. My dear Sir, A former shepherd of mine, James Hawthorne who is probably well known to you as an intelligent and trustworthy man, tells me that he lost everything during the Poverty Bay affair, and requests me to speak to you on his behalf. I believe the poor fellow is really very badly off, through no fault of his own; and if you could get him any small appointment at Napier, such as an under clerkship at the Militia Office, or Commisary Issuer at one of the outposts, I believe you would get a useful public servant, and be doing a deserving man a great service at the same time. I may add that Hawthorne has done the present Government good service by writing for the newspapers; and a little pamphlet of his, which was decidedly clever, though rather violent, certainly did a good deal towards exposing Whitmore's incapacity for the sort of work we require. I know that you must be so pestered by applications of this sort, that I must spologise for adding one more to them, but I could not refuse to say a few words in favour of a man I have known for so many years, and who I esteem very highly. We are all much elated by McDonnell's success. He deserves great credit, and gets it from everyone but Whitmore and H. Russell; as do the Government for having put the right man in the right place. McDonnell wrote me a vivid deseription of the last affair. It was a regular hand to hand combat. McDonnell was close to St. George when he was shot, and had the satisfaction of revenging his death, by ''braining'' two of the enemy with his own hands. I am very anxious to hear more news, both on public and private grounds. I wrote to G. Worgan, as you requested, and I presume he has written again to you. I think he might be made very useful as one of the road surveyors. He has a good eye for country; and with his professional knowledge, and acquaintance with the Maori language, he ought to have an advantage over most persons. Pray do not trouble yourself to reply to this note, as you must be innundated with correspondence. Hoping your visit to the North will prove pleasant to yourself as well as to the country. I remain, my dear Sir very truly yours (Signed) Robert Pharazyn To:- Hon. D. McLean.