Hokianga June 11, '70. My dear McLean, I send herewith a note I have received from one of my familiars who keep me up in what is going on in all directions here, it will amuse you, being a queer mixture f cows, milking, grass and district politics. I send it that you may see what Carleton is at. It is a pity no decent person will oppose him but still I don't think he will win, if opposed at all, in Hokianga we would count it a misfortune if he succeed-ed. Gillies is in his favour, and the money for roads my ''fam-iliar'' mentions of course is expected from that source. C. is a desperate ''free lance'' just now and will do or say anything to get in, is ther no way to get any decent person, out of the district to oppose him? Few care to vote for McLeod and those who do would do so only to keep the other out. I am glad to see native matters are no worse and the general tendency is in the right direction. I am rather in a bad way from a hurt I got travelling just before you came with the Governor but hope I shall come right some of these times. There is nothing new - ''no new is good news'' - cer-tainly in New Zealand. Ever Yours sincerely, F.E. Maning. My ''familiar'' you will perceive tho' a ''Bucolic'' is a smart sort of chap in his way. F.E.M.