New Zealand Napier. 10th Sept. 1873 My dear Sir, I am obliged for yours of the 5th and am glad the Ministry retain their strength, they have the best wishes of the large majority of Hawkes Bay people. At the same time many think that you are burthened with too many Ministers. I suppose however it cannot be helped but so far as my own opinion goes I dont like to see Mr. Vogel and yourself incommoded by such men as Bathgate, Reynolds etc. There has lately been a movement here in favor of a Municipality for the Town, the main wants being a Water Supply of which we stand much in need; it was however defeated for the present mainly by the exertions of owners of unoccupied Sections, as well as by the carters and cab drivers the former not wishing to be taxed, and the latter objecting to be under control, but really I do not take very much interest in such matters I have got such a lot of children it takes me all my time to provide for them without interfering much in politics. Judge Richmond's report is very satisfactory to every well wisher of the Province -- not, so however to such men as Wilson, and some others who will be lamentably disappointed. Mr. Harding of the "Times" is considered to have told a neat lie in stating that H. Russell had nothing to do with the new Paper. We are curious to see its what/politics are going to be -- in the way of legitimate opposition, the "Telegraph" wishes to leave no room. Mr. Kentish McLean goes down in the "Rangatira" he has been engaged in a very disagreeable busines which I hope will terminate satisfactorily. Is there any chance of William Richardson being promoted in the Constabulary. I think it is advisable; that he is one of the most educated men they have, and there does not so far as I can see seem any prospect of any considerable reduction in the Force. You of course know all about the natives, but they don't seem to me to be so happy and satisfied as they used to be and (as Karaitiana is reported to have said in the House.) "somebody might get killed." It may be because I have nothing to do with Prize shooting myself -- but I cannot help thinking that there is a considerable amount of money wasted on it every year -- what I would ask is the use of annually giving large sums of money to professional shots in Dunedin or the Thames. You see a large proportion of the same names year after year -- I suppose it is popular, but, it is not worth the money. My son Charley has made application for a Cadetship under Mr. Bold and Mr. Bold speaks well of him. There is not any news to give you here that you are not already no doubt better acquainted with than I am and I remain, Yours sincerely, A. Kennedy To:-- The Honble Donald McLean