Napier Sepr. 12th 1872 Dear Sir I received your telegram informing me of my niece's arrival, and have to express my thanks to you and Miss McLean for your kindness in taking her in - I hope she will soon reach here. If she agrees, as I hope she will with my wife it will a great comfort to me, I can then be away for any length of time knowing they will be company to each other and the place therefore not lonely. I have also to acknowledge your letter of the 7th instant which I value the more as it is the first private letter I have received from you since you became a Minister. It puts me in mind of old days - and makes me feel I should like to resign - supposing you are not soon in again which I believe you will be, and fight the old fights over again as just before you became a minister I like to speak like this when you are out. You are too big when in power to be told thus - But when ever happens I do sincerely hope you will soon be in again and I am confident that is the wish of all of both races here - and other places. Hapuku and Tareha are in a great state of excitement about your going out. It will be a bad look out for Karaitiana next election I notice that Mr. Ormond quoted from one of my reports, but none of them are published this year for some reason - The country here is looking beautiful since the late rain, but we want more - I spoke to Hapuku about Ngatarawa, and he says that he will settle that with you when he meets you, but that he is too much put out about your going out of office to talk about a private matter now I have not heard whether there is a likely hood of me being turned out - but I am quite prepared if any move be made to do any thing of the sort. I remain, Yours very truly S. Locke I enclose a photograph of myself lately taken.