accompanying letter might come under the eyes of others besides yourself I have confined myself in it entirely to the subject in reference to which it is written, reserving all familiar talk and expressions of our old mutual friendship to more private notes like this present. You will easily see my reason for this. I think that private friendships should not be rendered too conspicuous in the discussion of matter of public importance lest it should be judged of as interfering with strict impartiality; tho you yourself know, I believe, my private views concerning the land question full well and need not to be told again how very much and earnestly I wish for the sake of the natives themselves as well as for the sake of the peace and prosperity of the country at large --- that all the waste native lands would pass the sooner the better away from them into the hands and for the disposal the Government. I should very much like to see you and have once a korero again with you as in former days and years. Perhaps I go to town before you leave again, which I suppose you are