Hamilton. 16th. August 1872. My dear Sir, I applied, as you suggested, to the Colonial Secretary to be allowed forage, but met with a most decided refusal, on account of my having a travelling allowance of £25 a year. As I cannot by any means pay my expenses and keep my family in even the plainest way on my salary here, my only hope now is that I may be removed to some other office or district where the expenses are not so heavy. If in your power to assist me in this, you will lay me under a very great obligation; as I see nothing before me here but utter ruin. If Mr. Gisborne would increase my travelling allowance, I could manage to get on. If you would kindly use your influence with him to this end, I would have no doubt of the result; for nobody can know better than yourself the heavy expense of travelling in this district. Mr. Bush is still at Ngaruawahia, visiting Hamilton about three times a week; but has not been able to visit the Natives on account of the flooded state of the rivers. Poor Lewis Hetel will not, I fear, last long. He is getting more helpless every day. The natives are working hard, and have at least four to five hundred acres under wheat and barley, and appear to be generally more inclined to work than formerly. Apologising for troubling you, I am, my dear Sir, Yours faithfully, (Signed) William N. Searancke. To:- The Hon. D. McLean. Wellington.