Wellington 4 January, 1866 My dear McLean, I have written to Ormond about Dr. Harding, who was Assist. Surgeon of H.M.S. "Miranda" and who married Mrs. Gisborne's Sister in Auckland - As Ormond may be absent from Napier I send you, as the best indication of what I am troubling you about, the following extract from my note to Ormond. "My dear Ormond, I spoke to you some months since about Dr. Harding who was formerly Assistant Surgeon of H.M.S. "Miranda" and who in last January married Mrs. Gisborne's sister at Auckland, and, if you remember, I asked you about the prospects of his settling at Napier as a Medical Man". "He has now returned to Auckland in medical charge of an Emigrants Vessel and I hear he would like to go to Napier, if there was a chance of his getting on there in his profession, and particularly if he could commence by getting under the Government there some medical charge there". "Would you kindly let me know whether there is any prospect of his getting such employment, and what generally is the prospect of his getting private practice". "He is, I can say with the greatest confidence, a most steady and conscientious young man, and I believe very skilful in his profession - He is very quiet and amiable and will I am sure win the good opinion of all with whom he comes in contact". Would you kindly, my dear McLean, do what you can in the matter - If you wish for any further information, or can give Dr. Harding some ideas as to his prospect in settling as a Doctor at Napier, or in Hawkes Bay Province, would you be so good as to send him a line addressed to Dr. Harding at Mrs. Bridgen's Parnell Auckland I hope you will good naturedly excuse the trouble I am giving you, but I know you would like, if you can, to aid in the introduction of persons of a superior class into your Province, and I am sure you will be pleased with Dr. Harding - I also know that you will personally oblige me, if it lies in your power to do so. I hope by this time you have, as a leader of men, and generalissimo completed your successes on the East Coast. With best wishes for a happy New Year, I remain, dear McLean, Yours truly W. Gisborne