Copy of a letter to Capt. Curling. Auckland 7th. January 1871. Dear Captn. Curling, I have received your letter, and as I find you have decided on following out a fresh career in Sydney I sincerely trust that you may be successful and that your abilities may be turned to account. It will always afford me great pleasure to hear from you. Believe me etc. Donald McLean. Capt. Curling Care of Captn. Carter, Napier. Copy of a letter to Mr. Auckland Jany. 13th. 1871. Dear Sir, I have received your letter of the 6th. Jany. and beg to express my thanks to you for the communication. I will believe that you are correct in your surmises and that the motives alleged by you for rumours such as have lately been set afloat are the true ones. Steps are however being taken to protect Alexandra and increase the force in Waikato. Believe me etc. D. McLean.