Napier 24 Decr. 1862. My dear Bell, You will see by the Hawkes Bay Herald that I have consented to become a candidate for the Napier country district. I do not expect any opposition in fact the majority of the voters agreed at once and I have promises of support from all parties if I choose to accept the office of Superintendent but I have some delicacy in interfering with Carter should he desire to retain the office, I understood from you that I might continue my present office conjointly with that of Supt. and this being the case I will leave the latter in the hands of the council. There is much to be done here with the Natives and it will occupy a good deal of my time to get matters settled with them and start Whitmore in his new duties, I propose visiting the various districts with him when he