New Plymouth August 23/70 My dear Sir, If I survive the Pariaka meeting I will go to Wellington to see you as you request. Should anything occur to occasion your leaving Wellington before my arrival there would you kindly instruct Halse to let me know, for I should be sorry to be in Wellington if you were absent therefrom. O. Carrington is going by first Steamer, expected here tomorrow. In any arrangements you might make with him about the future stuff to be employed in the Survey Office here, will you kindly remember my son who has been working in the Office as a draftsman and Assistant surveyor ever since you reduced the Staff last year. He was apprenticed to O. Carrington for four years and paid a premium of £75. Since his indenture expired, now over two years, he has been receiving 5/- a day, common labourers wages, poor remuneration for four years and premium besides for learning a profession. Many thanks for the authority for the £100 to encourage our Government Natives to go to Pariaka. I will do my best to get up a good demonstration which I think will have a good effect upon any disaffectedly inclined Natives of whom there are sure to be some at that meeting. I will endeavour to send you a full report of the meeting. I am My dear Sir, Yours Faithfully, R. Parris.