Wallingford April 5th./62. My dear McLean, I have no letter from you and believe you were absent when the mail left. I have nothing to write of specially except to ask you to comply with a request for a grant in aid of the road for Porangahau district to Manawatu. There is I imagine no difficulty in the matter - it is a branch road and comes under grants in aid. If approved Mr. Cruikshank (Mr. Grants partner) and Mr. Canning would superintend the work - the road is very-much used and will continue to be so when the main line is finished. Mr. Russell will I believe see you about this whilst he is at Napier. I am glad the main line through Manawatu is being pushed on with. I am inclined to think little Michaels services can very well be dispensed with in making it out and that J. Campbell does the work better without him than with him. Whilst I was going over my country the other day I saw from a high range that by taking a certain line 5 or 6 iles of raod might be saved. It has since been pointed out to J. Campbell who is cutting the line accordingly. There is no news up here. Always very truly yours, J.D. Ormond. If you get any more orders for Wethers for Govt. please let Richardson know. He will provide some I want to get rid of. Yours J.D.O.