Napier Feby. 12th. 1870. Sir, For the last two mails I have not written there being nothing of interest to acquaint you with, besides you were moving about so much that there was no knowing when my letters would reach you. I was very glad to hear of Mr. Hamlins appointment - he will make a capital fighting R.M. for the Arawas - he will be just in his glory. It is a great pity that a few more like him had not commissions there would be no Te Kooti escaping constantly - he would prefer the honor to the chance of being dismissed from service being no longer required in the field like a good number at present believe that as soon as Te Kooti is caught their services will be dispensed with - this, altho(I much regret having to say it is a fact - I have heard it with mine own ears -- while such facts exist it is and will be impossible for any Govt. to be successfull. How would it do to let the Ngapuhis loose at Waikato with one side and the Thames Diggers on the other -together with Ngatiporous on third side in conjunction with Arawas. 3 prisoners escaped from gaol on Sunday night last cut a hole in the roof - Farmer the Waipawa constable came across them fired at them but they escaped into the bush -Williams the horse stealer was one of them. Mr. Fox is here he is changed very little than when I saw him 6 years ago - his beard has grown white. Mr. Hawthorne goes up by this mail steamer. The Times Hawkes Bay has had a couple of Editorials written by Col. Whitmore, Russell and Wilson but the editorials of the H.B. Herald soon set the public mind right - the Heralds articles were very bitter and told well -The Kuramu purchase is very nearly completed - Mr. Watt takes it up. I believe he pockets something like £1500 and lending the money at 10 - 9 and 8 per cent for a certain period. Mr. Tanner is in difficulties. Mr. Poole Mr. Brandons Brother- inlaw is in charge of his (Mr. T.) place - Mr. Bearce of Wellington is the person who is proceeding against him. The Turnbull barque left yesterday that is 2 vessells safe away this year and the weather is beautiful. Your trees are topping the fence and growing very regularly. The natives are thinking of keeping Dr. Carr for to visit them - he has taken their fancy. Hawthorne is to be correspondent to the Herald.You can make him useful. Feby. 15th. 1870. There was great glee when news arrived by the Coomuay from Manukau abt Lieut. Maris brave conduct and when your letter arrived it was better still. All are in great spirits -Hamlin I am certain will win his laurels with the Ngatiporous he calls them his pets and they and Ropata have every confidence in him - I wish as I said in a former part of my letter that you had a few officers like him. I have been kept so hard at work that I must now close in time for mail. I wish you every success and some how feel good news will soon arrive. I enclose an extract from the "Standard". The people down South so I hear from several quarters are hot for separation from Great Britain. I have the hr. to be Sir Your most obt. svt. Geo. Thos. Fannin. The Hon. Donald McLean Esq., Auckland.