You will hear further particulars from Branigan when he returns, as Strode promised to have & talk with him and I am going to do the same today. Strode's report is enclosed herewith. If C. W. refuses to go home and would take the P.M.G. I have no objection, as somehow or other we must get a southern man into the Government. But he would do us not much good as a speaker; and his forte would be in looking after votes. I still mean to leave here very early in November, have a day or two to meet the Christchurch people, and go up so as to lave a day or two with you all, and then off. I consider it very necessary Featherston should go to Melbourne in time to see Chute, and not wait for the Tararua which only arrives a few hours before the ocean steamer leaves. Yours very truly, F. D. Bell. W. Fox