as possible However I must settle the work here before I leave and shall get all straight in another week - A fearful lot of my time has been wasted in counteracting the mischief that scoundrel Russell has been working and I think he is getting pretty well beaten. The resolutions passed at the late meeting have been sent to the Govt. and we must see they are not lost sight of - A number of the Members of the Club here have addressed a demand to the Committee that Mr. Russell be expelled from the Club and I think it will be carried - according to the Rules he has the option to retire on failing to do so can be compelled to do so on a general meeting black-balling him - I have signed the demand to the Committee for his expulsion and will sign it for you if you will authorise me. I think enough will sign it to make it necessary for him to go and being expelled his Club cannot but have its weight at the Assembly - Unless checked before the Session he will be very troublesome and we shall in Col. Russell's absence have no one to meet him to contradict the Hawkes Bay lies