need not say, very much better than what I write you; though less descriptive. But we adopt a careful style for publication; and now I am in a confessing vein, I plead guilty to the letter of "Anglo New Zealander", which I wanted to blind you, and turn suspicion from myself, as the probable production of our good friend Richmond. And, considering the letter was a very good one, my deception had at least a considerable degree of unselfishness, for I find that your man who gets his anonymous letters praised to his face, itches to blurt out his secret; which I did not. So if you subscribe to the "Spectator" look in due time for the letter of 8th. November. Our "Herald" is full of news. Under "Art Union" you will perceive that four New Plymouth "parties" have drawn prizes at the last Meeting, --- your humble servant having got a Ten Pounder for his first subscription, as an earnest of the future. Last mail I received an exceedingly kind letter from our dear friend, John George Cooke, who could not write long enough on the simple proposition of my engagement. Of Mantell he saw much. Cooke was leading a life of sunshine, and gave me a list of scores of people he had fallen foul of, including Sir Godfrey Thomas, who had just received an appointment of £1300 a year, as Manager of the Guardian Life and Insurance Company. At the Reform Club, he saw Mantell, Chatham Strode, and Robert Waite, --- all old Wellingtonians. Arthur Petre got £40,000 with his wife. What a change from Taranaki! The tracing of the land at Awakino, will scarcely be finished for to-day's mail. Rogan wrote for it, but I forgot all about it until reminded thereof by an Official from Henry. Of him I have great difficulty in writing, --- that is of the offer of an appointment at Whaingaroa. It is a good one; and establishes him, once he accepts it, if not already established. His difficulty is the wahine, who has had warnings of late that her father and mother's time is fast coming to a close. Family matters, I know, should not weigh in this case; and yet their influence cannot be overlooked. I never could understand, and do not yet, why, in an essentially Native Province, like New Plymouth, where so much depends upon the tact of the man, and his circumspection, that the Government cannot give him a suitable salary.