Auckland October 14th. 1872. My dear Sir, It is with the greatest satisfaction that I avail myself of the opportunity of congratulating you upon your reinstalment inti the conducting of Native and Defence affairs, which I sincerely trust you will retain until the final arrangement of the Native Question, and also the signal defeat of the Opposition. I have to apologise for the delay of the dottings of Waikato of Olden times, which I herewith forward. I have given you a few incidents in a rough and unsophisticated manner, of personal experiences, leaving it for your Locum Tenens to put it into shape excluding my name. The Natives are settling down, resuming their late placidity. The change in the Ministry occasioned a serious ferment, pro tem. Wishing you every success, with the sincerity of an old and true friend, believe me Yours very truly (Signed) C. Marshall. To:- The Honorable Donald McLean C.M.G. Wellington.