Do you know anything of this? It will never do, if such a promise was made, not to fulfil it. If you come, even for a month, don't you think a payment of Account might be made to some of the principal Chiefs at Raumahanga and the East Coast, to keep things alive? If you would write a few lines to the chief men, saying they were each to receive say £50 or £100, according to rank, etc., in the various districts, it would have a good effect. And, for Heaven's sake, come if you can, if only for a month. You may imagine I have my hands full, since I returned, what with office-work, and natives, and one thing and another, I am pretty well done, I rode 50 miles in the middle of last night to save the steamer, to write to you about these chaps; a roaring South-easter, with torrents of rain, - facing a midnight ride over the Rimutaka Range, under such favourable circumstances, and pitch dark; so that I was not in the best of humours with the country or people. I hear little of Domett, except that he is popular and much respected. His address to the natives was most excellent. Government ought to thank him for it. I fear Mr. D. gives him some trouble, - if one may believe stories. Remember me kindly to Dr. Sinclair, and believe me always, dear Mac, Yours truly (Signed) F.D. Bell P.S. Do urge Sinclair to use his influence to get you ordered down. To:- Donald McLean Esq.