Manawatu Septr. 24th. 1862. Donald Maclean Esq. Dear Sir, I only heard from Mr. Duncan to day that you were still in New Zealand - it being my impression that you had some time since started on your long-intended visit to England. My object in now writing is to enquire if a letter of mine ever reached you, written just previous to the Taranaki War and enclosing a sketch of Mr. Stewart's of the prices of land for which I sought to obtain a Crown Grant or other legal title in behalf of my children. I never heard from you in reply to that letter and do not know whether it arrived safely or whether there is another map of the survey in existence. I saw His Excellency Sir G. Grey at Otaki last week and he recommended that I should write him a letter bringing the matter before him and that he hoped to be enabled by one of the many Acts recently passed by the General Assembly to grant what has been applied for. I have enclosed to Sir G. Grey a letter received by me from his late Excellency Col. Browne written just previous to his departure in which he expressed regret of his inability to get it settled before he left owing then to some legal difficulty but that he had left it in the hands of Sir G. Grey with a request that he would endeavour to get it completed for me with as little delay as possible. I feel that it is very unfortunate for me that you are about leaving the country as Sir G. Grey might wish for information that it is only in your power to give and I am particularly anxious for the sake of my children to have it settled, particularly as my health is rather precarious. You would therefore very much oblige me, if you are likely to leave before Sir George returns to Auckland, by writing to him and communicating any information that you think may facilitate a speedy settlement. Hoping when you go, you may have a pleasant voyage to the old country and an equally pleasant one on your return. I remain Dear Sir, Yours very truly, Thomas M. Cook.