saw things quiet & so forth up to March, he would go - & there it rests. Whitmore will tell you all about the little steamer Avon, and the one we are building at Sydney. All the natives seem anxious about these vessels, but Grey tells them he means to have both on the river. Nero has urgently renewed his offer of the country between Waitituna and Waipa. After much deliberation we have advised the Governor to buy Nero's claims, so as to stand in the shoes of himself & his people. We think it will serve as a lever to push the Raglan road onwards - of course no survey of boundaries would be attempted till a perfect title were got. Let me know what you think. My eyes are still very bad. I you are really to be Super at H. Bay. Let me have news of you soon and believe me ever yours truly F.D. BELL