Auckland Eden Crescent 22nd May 1873 Dear Sir, I hear that in case fighting with the Kingites ensues - the will want a correspondent at the front - A word from you or Mr. Vogel would get me the appointment at once, and I am ready and willing to start whenever requested to do so - I think the Government will have no cause to regret aiding my wish - I would be careful not to let it be known that I was aided - and I should strictly avoid seeming bias - I should expect liberal pay from the "Cross" say £3 per week - for I should not hesitate to share the risk of any expedition provided it assisted me to information - Mr. Luckie talks of sending a Mr. King to the front. Mr. King is a very nice gentleman but he only arrived from England the other day. What sort of correspondence is to be expected from him where natives are concerned? besides Mr. King doesnt want to go to the front - In my correspondence could I ever forget all your condescenion and goodness! to me when I sorely needed assistance. I would indeed be most faithful to your interests and those of the present Government - try me, I am rusting here for want of more active employment. If war ensues and I go to the Front, and give satisfaction. I have no doubt that your influence will obtain for me some employment when the no longer needs my services - I do not venture to stipulate for assistance hereafter for I feel that you will not forget even so humble an individual as I am, if I do good service. In the event of my leaving here (the office) it will be absolutely necessary to get another Assistant Clerk in my place - and I think it right to let you know that in time or urgency Mr. Bloomfield our other Clerk is next to useless - he is so nervous and stupid that the least excitement renders him helpless. In my humble opinion, the best man who has been in this office since I came - was Mr. Price - now in Wellington. Major Tisdall consulted Mr. Price on all occasions - Bloomfield can never replace Mr. Price - may I respectfully venture to suggest that in case I leave - Mr. Price be reinstated here - he never drank to excess whilst I knew him - and I think it possible that the severe lesson he has received, will render him very careful for the future - The "Evening Star" almost nightly villifies the Government and especially the Native Ministers policy - I have reason to believe that the incendiary "leaders" are inspired by parties who have leased land in the Kings territory - I have done what I could to counteract the mischievous tendency of those productions - by a series of short letters to the - most of which duly appear - under various signatures - and by my communications to the and the . I greatly fear that war is inevitable - people are very excited here - of that there can be no doubt - if war comes - may it be confined within narrow bounds.' is the sincere prayer of dear Sir - Your faithful servant F. Hawthorne