Wellington 11th. October 1871 My dear Father, I feel that I have now come to a time of life that I ought to be doing something with a view to my future prospects in life. I am fully aware that the Judge holds forth a great opportunity and advantage to me, if my inclination and desire was that I should follow the law as a profession, but such is not my inclination or wish. If I did not follow the Bar as a profession, going into the Judge's office should be of little advantage to me in future life. My desire is that I should go into a Merchant's office, not necessarily in Wellington, though I should prefer it, and there acquire business habits, a knowledge of business especially that connected with the management of Station affairs. I should at the same