Patea 17 Dec. 1870 My dear Mr. Fox, There is a report current that the Govt. intend to appt. another R.M. for this District and that my duties are to be restricted to those purely military - If such a change is contemplated I would consider it a very great boon to be allowed to retain the civil and give up the military duties - My principle reason for preferring this request is that (as you yourself are aware) my wound precludes my bearing any fatigue on foot and therefore it is to me by no means a pleasant contingency to contemplate, that should operations be required to be carried on in the bush, I should be obliged to delegate the conduct to a subordinate - I do trust that neither yourself nor Mr.McLean will consider my request an unreasonable one and that it will be favorably considered. believe me Yours very faithfully M. Noake