Poverty Bay 13th. Sept. 1872 Dear Sir, By the Rangatira today we learn the defeat of the ministry. It has surprised us all being quite unexpected. I can assure you here regrets are general. I need not say that personally I am extremely sorry and quite unsettled at the news. I do not know what course to adopt I cannot however truckle to retain my situation. I have dear Sir so pledged myself to your policy and have looked up to you as a benefactor to myself personally that I feel urged on to do something to evince my devotion to you, but I feel that my efforts would be but puny and effect nothing. I am dear Sir in a state of perplexity and have to request you will favour me with a line of advice as to what course to pursue. I today received a letter intended for Miss Roberts the writer Colonel Whitmore I imagine having written to us simultaneously and wrongly enveloped the letters I cannot conceive what the contents of mine can be as he has not favored me for agex no doubt it is something political. I go to Waikare on Monday and on return shall prepare for any emergency I am afraid your retirement will give renewed life to some of the jealously ambitious chiefs who have been some time held in check. I have the honor to be, Dear Sir, Yours most faithfully, T.W. Porter, Capt.