Rangitikei 24 Decr. 1870 My dear Mr. McLean, I see by Mr. Gisborne's Speech to the Electors of Egmont, that the Elections are likely to come off in Three or Four weeks. He stated this, while asking to be excused from being present at the nomination; If this be true, it will cut the time very short indeed; I trust therefore you may find it in your power to prolong the Issue of the Writs, so as to give me a little chance of seeing the people in the North. I remain, Yours faithfully, H.T. Kemp Hon. D. McLean C.M.G.