—I have your letter of to-day.

Days are of such moment that I would plead for this week if possible; if not Friday, then Saturday.

Felix should he started on his tour of agency: but whatever he may do in the way of establishing real working agencies, you and I, going back to South Australia, Wellington, and Nelson, must see, if nobody else should, that the grand point is a body—an organized, active body—of intending colonists. Some are ready; but they will never act without a leader. We want somebody to take the position once intended for Major W. I think that the man has turned up, but I have not mentioned him to any one, and will not without your approval. Indeed, I want to hand him over to you if you should like him well enough after inquiry. I can give you orally all sorts of information about him, but have not strength to write; nor would writing suffice. If you approved of him or any other fit man, there would be a body of colonists in a week; small at first, but likely to grow fast as soon as its existence was known. All the great names in the world will not do this business, except as they may get you the men to do it, who will be intending colonists— page 161that is, persons deeply interested in getting it done, well and soon. This is the main point on which I wish some confidential talk with yon.