would object to leaving Auckland if appointed as it will be perhaps a year or year and half more before we have about our land so that if no vacancy here in the additional force of 100 going to be raised perhaps there might be with you either as subscription or clerk to Magistrate's Court of nothing better as I don't like being idle till land is settled about. I have sometimes wished Carlton had went with you, however let me hear from you first opportunity and point out anything you can suggest. Mr Hand family join in kindest regards to you and will be happy to hear from you with Yours sincerely & very truly James C Hill PS. You will regret to hear poor Kenedy is very badly off. He was doing well at Xmas and his few friends rigged him out respectably. He promised to be steady but his good fortune over heated him and instead of keeping steady drank more and his brain evidently took a round turn. His friends advised him to go over to the North Shore for some time to be out of the way at a friend's. He did [word missing] but one day left the house and was not found from Friday evg till Monday evg where he was found sitting on a heap of stones in the bush nearly dead being paralyzed from the body down. He was but over and Mrs Bigam took every care and recovered him. He is now moping about doing nothing and I cannot say will get ... Townsend is in charge of a station at Adelaide - by the by I would feel thankful if you would send me by Capt Rickards of the Victoria first opportunity the hair cushion lent you at Cowekarow. It was the Mrs sofa cushion and she feels the want of it. Mrs McDonald (late Anderson) said you took it with you. Faithfully yours J C Hill Excuse this scratch as I am hurried