"Wairoa" Feby. 21st 67 Dear Sir, The absence of your Honor from Napier is sufficient apology for my not having answered your note of Decr. 18th ult. at an earlier date. in reference to the subject matter of which I may reply in the first case viz. the Volunteer Movement here, that I am quite prepared to resign an appointment which I never sought, and have notified already to Mr. Richardson my willingness to retire from the 'Ensigncy'. Respecting the second portion I have already seen Mr. Locke here at the Wairoa, and regret to say