Westoe, Marton 16.1.74 My Dear McLean When I wrote a few days ago I had not received your kind note from Otaki in which your offer to assist our movements in the course of our Lake travels. We shall be most happy to avail ourselves of your kindness as far as may be necessary, and it will no doubt be very convenient if we can have a little assistance now and then either from the Constabulary depot at Taupo or from Natives at the points we shall visit. We propose riding through (Mrs.F., my nephew, and self) to Napier. The other possible tracks are too rough for a lady -- Thence ride to Tapahaeraru -- thence to Rotomahana and Rotorua and Tarawhera -- I dont suppose we shall go through to Tauranga -- but if we do shall probably sell our horses and return by sea -- but if not tired of it, would prefer returning by land. On this plan I beleive we shall find accommodation every night except perhaps in some of our excursions about Taupo, when it might