Wellington 31st. Jany. 1872. Dear Sir, The coach got in last night a little after 5 we had a fine trip down the roughest part being in and out of Foxton. Young grumbles very much at having to go there altho' he gets and addition to his subsidy of fifty pounds a month for the extra trouble, wear and tear. We turned off the beach at about 9 or 10 miles from Foxton to go what was supposed to be a short inland track, it took us about 3 hours to go the distances which I should judge to be 15 miles over a rough waste of sand hills which seems to extend for miles and to go very far inland. Most of the distance was over Jacob Joseph and Co's run. A run which certainly is worth very little of anything. At Bulls the coach took up a Maori woman and two children - she said that she was the wife of the Brother of Karaitiana of Napier, who, the brother, is now at Bulls. At all the places along the road there was much excitement about the rumour of the death of the Prince of Wales which seems so far as can be ascertained at present to have been unfounded. The work of the Defence Office seems to be going on steadily. The Commission for Major Edwards to enquire into charges against Major Noake is being prepared. I recd. a telegram from Mr. Bush this morning telling me that you did not expect me to go on. I was very sorry that I did not understand that I was to stay altho' my wife was getting very nervous and unwell at being left alone in her present condition. The fact was at Mr. Cameron's the coachman said he saw tracks that could only be those of your carriage so that we thought you were ahead of us, and you had not arrived at Marton when the coach left Bulls as I enquired at the telegraph office with a view of telegraphing back for orders. I send an Independent with account of laying the foundation stone of New. Govt. Buildings. There is no further news. With much respect, I remain, Yours very truly, T.W. Lewis.