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English (ATL)

Letter from P. Wilson, to Donald McLean, dated 28th. March 1853. COPY. New Plymouth,
28th. March 1853.


My dear Mac,

Your letter of the 24th. February, in a packet containing sundries, did not reach me till 25th. Inst.; when I distributed its enclosures to Halse and Cooper. I wish, really, that you had thought of sending on about that neighbour of mine, before now; for he is gaining an ascendency among a certain class, which would surprise you. The name he goes by, here, is Clement Doughty Young; and I suspect it is the name he is known by at Hobart Town; as he draws under it, a Pension from that Government, for £20 per annum. He is a very big fellow, certainly 6 ft. in height, and stout in proportion; has one of the most rascally broad low Irish faces I ever beheld, bright yellow, and red hair, and walks as if a little lame of one leg. However, this is hardly observable. Previous to his coming here, he lived at Adelaide; where he seems to have known many people; who, however, do not know him. He is a very mischievous man in any community; being one of those whose main desire appears to be to excite the lower, and the dissatisfied; and unthinking chaps, against the Government.

We have nothing new here; even Politics are asleep. Johnny Wicksteed called on us yesterday, for a wonder; not having had any communication with the body for these last three months. I hardly think he has a chance for the Office of Superintendent.

Rogan refuses the appointment to the Ahuriri; which surprises me; as he was, at one time, very eager to obtain it. But it seems he thinks his prospects here are better; which he ought to have known before he applied.

Polsen is still here; but his father-in-law, Harvey, tells me he does not know what he is going to do. I rather think he is regarded as flighty; but I know, personally, nothing of him.

You must excuse this short scrawl; for I am still to write to Pat versus a thousand farming matters; and let me tell you that, in a money point of view, the circumstance of establishing a farm is no joke. However, I am determined, D. V., to go through with it.

Politics seem at present in abeyance, with us; at least, I hear little about them; and our newspaper, by its folly, has lost much of public patronage; that I hardly expect it will outlast this quarter. Yet I ap- -prehend we shall have a paper; but who the Editor?- is by and bye, my guess. Wicksteed has stultified all tretension to the character of public honesty; consequently, though needy, would find no supporters to put him forwards; and who else, it is difficult to say. But we would want a moderate, and, at the same time, an honest man. But where is he?

Young Woon has not succeeded in his business; and is, I understand, about to give it up. His brother went round to Wellington last week, in the hope of obtaining Dfck Deighton's office; who, we learn, has been renewing some of his old dishonesties. But I must have done; and with our united kind regards,


I am, my dear Mac., ever most faithfully yours,
(Signed) P. Wilson.
To Donald McLean Esq.