present Govt. would be supported - I fancy he is going to win his election at Canterbury he had a majority of 500 in the town of Christchurch. The 40 mile bush purchase was partly concluded for a day or two ago, all except the piece abutting on Rua Tanewha. there is a hitch about that which will be got over - Master Grindell is at the bottom of it acting for Lord Henry - Locke says it will come all right - The natives received £150 in three sums of £50 each in three different blocks - the land agreed to be sold and which they have signed an undertaking to complete takes in all the 40 mile Bush from Wairarapa and the Manawatu purchases and to Puke Toi - the Block not yet arranged for is next Rua Tanewha - We have had splendid weather lately for the country altho' it has been wet for operations - I return you your Akitio overseer's letter I am trying to get the people here to agree to fence the Akitio boundary in place of Waimata - Of course you wd. have to do part of it but it wd. be a good thing for you - I conclude you are back from your visit to the north and hoping soon to hear from you. Always Yours very sincerely J.D. Ormond