Since I last wrote some changes are taking place here. Sir George Grey is going home immediately on leave, but I am quite sure he will never return: he is tired of N.Z. and no minister will compel him to return. I am not quite clear as to what effect his departure may have on the more uncivilised parts of the country: I am not certain that there may not be some attempts at war, etc. Sir G. Grey has not in my opinion exerted himself sufficiently in extending his influence among the natives during the last few years. I am sorry he is going as no Governor will be found so anxious to promote the welfare of the colony, and more especially of the natives than Sir G. Grey.

Today the Superintendent of this Province has been elected. Mr. Featherston was the person. He is in very bad health and I am afraid his new office will kill him. I asked him to go back with me to Otaki for change of air for a few days, but he is almost too ill to travel so far this cold weather. He is a tolerably clever and able man, who had devoted himself entirely to politics of late years. He and I had some differences formerly, but we are good friends now. He used to be much opposed to the natives, but is not so now.

We have the notorious Gibbon Wakefield here now interfering with everything and upsetting all he can. He will do much mischief here: there is nobody at all equal to him or able to compete with him. I believe I am to see him on Monday: his son called on me yesterday and said his fadier wished to talk with me on some matters, so I could not refuse. I am afraid of him, as I am very likely a year hence to see something stated as my page 196 opinion which may be only a perversion of something I have said. I shall be on my guard; but this is difficult, as according to my friend Mr. Godley, with the exception of the Bishop I am the most free spoken person in N. Z.