month down here, and up at Wanganui and West Coast, but it would not be of much use till Topia and Co. return. One most unfortunate matter, which you only can do, will be to settle with the Wanganui contingent about pay. There must be some 6 months due to Kemp -- and Topia's will run on to two -- At the same time there seems to be no definite understanding as to the rate -- in Topias case not a word was said about it - but of course it will come up. That long letter signed with his name about it, you of course know turned out to bewritten with his authority. It will have to be the subject of a compromize and will no doubt require a considerable amount of talk. If they take or kill Kooti, we may be as liberal as we like. I shall put on record as soon as the holidays (!) are over, all I have done on the West Coast for the information of Ministers