session. Then if you approve I should like to send him into Patetere country with Hans Tapsell - for a trip - and on to Ngatihaua at Maungatautari - But more of this by Telegram. Hopkins has all his work cut out for him in attending to judicial matters - and the ordinary and incidental work which arises in all districts where there is a mixed population of Maoris and English - He is slow, but on the whole I am pleased with the good judgment he shows and his anxiety to do his best. He did not come from a school where things are done with expedition. You will confer a special obligation on me