Mount Herbert, 4th Jany., 1866. My dear Maclean, I have a Letter from Col. Russell regarding the Resident Magistrateship at Napier, and he says that Stafford told him the matter had been sometime back referred to you, but that you had not yet replied. I wish you would reply to it by this Mail, as I am anxious to hare the matter brought to an issue as soon as possible. It is a great pity the affair was not carried thro' at the time, as I understood from Stafford it was to be. I fear certain influences have been at work in Curling's favour, but the Ministry tell me the matter is In haste, Yrs. always, H. R. Russell.