leaving for Hawkes Bay. Mr Duncan seemed much pleased with the taste displayed in selecting the children's dresses. The choice was made I believe by you however I gave Mrs Kirton all the credit. Mr Duncan was rather unwell when I was at Waikanae consequently I lived in the small inn which is tolerably comfortable if you have to spend a night there you may resolve to hear more oaths than blessings. At least if the place is as noisy as Scott's was last night when Mr Taylor and his daughter slept there. It was