Onehunga Feb. 11th 1867 My dear Sir Captn. Symonds wrote to you last year a few lines to entreat you to remember your former friendship and now that you are in power to do something for your old friend for his advantage - he pointed out to you the low Salary which was given him after so many years service etc. - he never had an answer from you, but he was glad to hear from Mr. O'Rorke that you did take notice of his letter for that you both went to Mr. Stafford and had a talk as to what could be done - Mr. O'Rorke says that you came to the conclusion that nothing could be done unless a berth was given him somewhere else and that Mr. O'Rorke had said Capt. S. would not leave Onehunga - when my husband heard this he said "indeed I am not so wedded to Onehunga but that I would gladly go somewhere else with a higher Salary" - Perhaps you may remember how my Husband always was - so backward in asking any favour for himself - He screwed up much courage I can assure you to write that letter to you - I have written more than once to Sir George Grey on the subject, but he always says the same, that tho' he has the strongest personal regard for my husband still he has no power to do anything - that nothing would give him greater pleasure than to benefit Captn. Symonds were it in his power - however he sent his Private Secretary down to Mr. Stafford to talk and see what could be done - but we have not heard the result - however just before that, Mr. Stafford wrote me a very kind answer to a letter wrote and promised that if he is in office next Session he will try and get the Salary increased on the plea of his long services - My husband is tired of Onehunga he often says that an entire change would do all of us good - could you think of any way in which a berth could be given my husband at Lyttleton, Christchurch, Otago, Nelson etc. - in nine years he will be 60 years of age - so that on account of his Pension we do so want a higher Salary - Need I remind you how well my Husband speaks the Maori language? do you remember how fond the natives are of him and what influence he has had over them? Could not he be made use of in some important post? - I wish you could see my husband, it seems so many years since you met - he is more energetic and seems years younger than he was at one time - Our eldest daughter is 16 and we find expenses double as the children grow - it is utterly impossible for us to make ends meet on our small income. I do so want to get my husband out of this province - we dislike Auckland and Onehunga - everything so expensive - I wish my dear husband had followed your example and invested in sheep - we should have been rolling in riches as you are had we done so! Now my dear Mr. McLean do sit down and write me an answer please do - I cannot bear and I shall be full of , so sanguine I am always - with kind regards I remain Sincerely yours Alithea S. Symonds