I hope that I do not intrude upon your valuable time. J. F. Auckland March 29th 1859 Dear Mr. McLean, Dr. Niell called at the office yesterday, and gave me a letter from you to Mr. Cameron. I will get the Horse in, as soon as possible. Capt. Fautori asked me this afternoon if the Horses were safe. I could not answer the question as I did not know anything about them - or that there were Horses for you. I think that Mr. Turton will have plenty of work to do down at the Bay of Plenty. For a Mr. Black of Matata complains of the Whakatane Natives in not allowing his vessel to go up the river for some wheat he had bought of the up river natives. He gives no reason for their doing so, and yet they kepe his £10! which he paid to them, to allow his vessel to pass up the river for the above purpose. The rights of the circumstances are these: - That all the Traders (individually) are to pay them £10 for the season to go up the river and trade From what I can find out just now, that Mr. Black had gunpowder on board at the time to pay for the wheat - when the Whakatane natives found this out, they would not allow him to go up the River, but Mr. Black denies the charge. Tohi Te Ururangi, charges Bennett White, T. Black and G. White with supplying the Tauranga and Whakatane natives with ammunition. I also understand that there is a difference in the Ngapuhi Tribe about a woman but I do not know the circumstances or the particulars. Mr. Friend returned last week and he speaks very highly of the treatment he received from the natives which he attributes to your letter. He looks quite jolly (if I may use the term) and sun burnt. Miss Downing of Coromandel is married to a Mr. Ruffian! - the news came up 3 or 4 days ago. In the ''White Swan'', there was a box of apples from Wellington for Douglas which he received and for which he is very thankful and obliged to his grandpapa. I saw him this morning, he is quite well and strong. Mr. Kingdon says he is a good boy. Douglas told me, that, if I wrote to you, I was to send you his best and ten kisses. He was on board the ''John Scott'' (so I understand) one day last week. I have been out to see him very often. Mrs. Merriman called on him also. Mr. and Mrs. Govett are, or were staying at Mrs. Kingdon's, but I think they are going in the ''Lord Worsley''. Your house is not yet begun the timber is there (at least part of it). I wish to ask you one question, that is if I could get a months (more or less) leave to go to Whakatane or shall I wait untill you go down, or on your return from the south? As my uncle and friends have often asked me down. Hoping you are enjoying good health I remain your humble servant James Fulloon