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English (ATL)

Wallingford
March 7th, 1866


My dear McLean,

I am off in the morning with my first mob of sheep for the new Run at Manawatu. I hear very poor accounts of it now that I have got it, but I shall soon be able to judge of it for myself. The election day comes on very quickly. I must make a dive to get down for it. But I am certain not to be down until the day before as I am hard at it getting the Manawatu. Run stocked before the season advances and makes the road impracticable for sheep and pack horses. It is work too that I am obliged to see to myself or else stand the consequences, they have been pretty heavy to all those who have neglected to look after their business themselves - smothering a few hundred sheep as a matter of course on the Manawatu Runs and road. Now that I have got the Run and have to do the work I almost regret I troubled about it - I am getting too old and lazy for this rough work. Will you kindly see Rhodes and Gollan for me and ask them if they will propose and second me at the Clive nomination. Of course I dont expect Gollan to put himself out of the way to do it but if he be down at Napier I daresay he will be kind enough to do so. Rhodes I feel sure will do it for me. But will you please make the enquiry for me and failing them try and get some of the people down there to do the needful.

I can get plenty to go down from inland, to do it if it be needful, but don't like to ask people to take more trouble on my account than can be avoided. As it is, going in as I do to Manawatu tomorrow and not knowing what day I may be able to get back again, I am obliged to write and trouble you to arrange it for me. Write me please what you are able to manage for me by the return post. You are sure to get bullied by Barabbas on the Hustings. The only possible chance he has is to make a hit on the Hustings and depend upon it he will try his best. If he does go at you, give it him back as hard as ever you can that is the only way to hold your own with a sweep like him.

I saw Mr. Smith (N. L. Judge) before I left Napier and urged his holding his Courts as near the Blocks of land he is investigating as possible. He seemed to doubt his power to adjourn his Court - he was very civil but I thought in his reading of different parts of the Act that he was making mountains out of mole hills. If old Herewanu be still at Napier please tell him I have gone in to Manawatu with the sheep. I hear of some disputes as likely to arise from rival claimants to some of the land he has let to me. Tell him I shall just look to him.

We are still burnt up and very little spring in the grass.

Always,
very sincerely yours,
J. D. Ormond