Wellington 29th September 1873 To the Honorable Mr.McLean, Minister for Defence. Honored Sir, I omitted in my letter to you about having served in H. M. Service. I served in H. M. Royal Regiment of Artillery. From 1850 to 1862. Both in the Crimea and the Indian Mutiny Campaigns and left the service on completion of my term of service was discharged with a good character for which I received an alotment of Land in Wellington Given only to such men as bore a Good Character in H. M. Service. I lost my Regimental Discharge during General Chutes Campaign between Wanganui and Taranaki in which I served in the late Major Von Tempskeys Forest Rangers as to my being Discharged with a good Character the Land Office can Vouch for the truth of it. I had to write to Horse Guards since then for a certificate of my Discharge which I received in 1867, And which the Honble.Mr.Fitzherbert saw as he was Commissioner of Crown Lands at that time. Honored Sir you mentioned yourself to me in Decr. 1868 in Napier, you saw my discharge from the Wellington Rangers you mentioned that I should receive some remuneration for my services both in presence Major Green and myself. You were Superintendent at the time I have the Honor to be Sir Your Honors Obedient and Humble Servant Richard Atkins Late Co. Sergt.F. R.