cost me about £600 for the year to live in Napier and give my time to the Public. I am very loth to think of giving up the direction of things at a time like this when so much of our future depends upon how our affairs are managed and moreover if Road works and so on has to go on, on a large scale, I should enjoy directing it. But on the other hand I cant afford to get more in debt and between the two difficulties I dont see my way. However I will think it well over before I do anything and will hang on to the work as long as I can. One thing I am sure of and that is, Govt. would find that without an Agent here one Minister's time would be pretty well occupied with the work I do. I see what you tell me of my having been talked of in Cabinet in connection with the office of Minister of Public Works and will tell you candidly what I think about it. In the first place your Govt. has lost ground very much and every endeavour should be made to strengthen your position before next session, and with that view a Middle Island man of some weight shd. if possible be got. I dont know any one from the South now in the House who is fit for it, except John Hall, and he you could not get. Another reason why I shd. not do is I shd. not be palateable to the superintendents and again