Napier Oct. 2, 1871 Dear Sir, I take advantage of the expected departure of the Luna to transmit you what news I think you will care about hearing. Since you left nothing but what I know Mr. Ormond acquainted you with has transpired. I need not call your attention to Mr. Lords beautiful effusion in the Daily Telegraph. which speaks pretty plainly to Mr. Russell but I expect you saw it before. I send Mr. Russell's reply it if can be called one. Mr. Sutton's glories in anything against you and says that you are instigating all proceedings against him through Paora Tirutini and Waka and Tareha about the Big Bush affair. The Daily Telegraph editorial of the 25 ultimo. you may have seen but in case you have not I enclose it - it is worth your perusal. The "Stranger in the Gallery" in the Hawkes Bay Herald is very much appreciated and does a great deal of good. It would do no harm but a great deal of good if you take Carlile you had heard his letters on the progress of affairs in Parliament were very much thought of. It would at the least excite him to do his utmost in supporting the Govt. I need not tell you he is amenable to praise, and feels proud when commended for what he has written. As Mr. Ormond is going down tomorrow I dont think of anything else to tell you. He will post you up in all later affairs. Mr. Wilson, Mr. Hamlin for Legislative Councillors. Mr. Stuart (Dunedin), Mr. Hayes () Mr. Carlile, Hapuku, Tareha proceed in the "Luna" - and I hear Mr. P. Russell is going but how I dont know. I will now conclude wishing you every success - and calling your attention to a paragraph in the "Stranger in the Gallery" also (lastly) the enclosed. I would at the same time recall to your recollection a remark I made when last I had the pleasure of seeing you. "That the Colony would require your services to be of a distinct nature but with the position of a Minister but without any oneous as regards the other members of the Govt. that is that you would be held responsible for the administration of native matters and nothing else they must as a matter of course become a fact. Again wishing you success and thanking you for all your past kindnesses. I have the honor to be Dear Sir, Your most Obt. St., Geo. Thos. Fannin. I told you when you were here not to trust any of that staff for I knew from one of them who tells me everything nearly that they were partly retained by the Russell Stafford clique. Everything they can do, they do against you and Mr. Ormond and in fact against the Govt. as a whole. You will perceive by Mr. Newtons letter copy enclosed that he has broken with the other directors of the paper for you must know now that there is Board of directors to be off to examine and censure or approve of the subjects treated of in the paper of previous week. Of course the supervision is after the mischief has been done but if they are sincere in the ascertion not to permit any factious opposition to the Govt. the only course left for them would be to dismiss the Editor, now after the articles lately published it will be seen whether they are in earnest or not - because their attempting to damage you and Mr. Ormond at the present moment shews a cardesness as to reslt it is done simply with an intent to weaken your Govt. influence in the House. Oct. 8th, 1871 I had got thus far when I found I could not satisfactorily put you in possession of what I wanted you to know therefore I did not send it; what I wish to inform you of is that Mr. Carlyon has shown your letters to him to Mr. Sutton - and like a veriest donkey spoken of your affairs in a public room - The sooner you get rid of his services the better If he pasted them up in the Public Street he could not gain your affairs more publicity - but I am afraid he is on his last legs he has been nearly dead. Dr. Hitchings says another such an attack and he cannot survive it. The Hawkes Bay Herald (Carlile) has given the Daily Telegraph the most flattening hit I have read for a long time. I annexed it. I also enclose copy of a letter from Mr. Ormond to the Herald and Telegraph