March 29th. 1863 My dear Sir, I regret very much that I had not the pleasure of seeing you before my departure for the country, but you were so engaged with a number of people that I was reluctant to disturb you. I trust I may be permitted to say without presumption, that your expositions of measures for colonial advancement, meets with my entire and cordial approval for the first time since Hawkes Bay was a province, we have a distinct and well digested scheme, of policy, which I hope you will firmly adhere tom despite of any amount of opposition, or factious cavilling that may be directed against it.