Hamilton 4th. Jany. /71 My dear Sir I regret to have to inform you that I have met with a serious accident on Monday morn while saddling my horse to go to Ngaruawahia to hold Court there, he turned sharp round and kicked me twice on the hip, knocking me down, trampling and kicking me while down and then falling on me injuring my ribs. I need hardly say that I am laid up unable to move. I trust to be all right again in two or three weeks if ever in the meantime as I am utterly incapable of attending to Nat. matters (my regular duty the J.P. 's will attend to for me) will it not be advisable to have someone capable of looking after them as all sorts of rumours and reports are flying about. I am Yours faithfully/ W. N. Searancke. D. McLean Es. Wellington.