and have found the Transport the great cause of delay. I should like to have the particulars of how he proposed to carry the line to Auckland, which I have not yet gathered. Fox is still in the South, but I have not communicated with him the last day or two. On the 18th. my Council meets, and I try the experiment of how a Superintendent, unaided, can manage. I don't anticipate a great deal of trouble, but I hope Te Kooti will give me a rest at that time, so that I may be able to attend to it. And now I must close my yarn; and hoping to hear from you soon, Always Yours very sincerely (Signed) J.D. Ormond.