Transcribe Stafford, Cyril. Letter to Ward, Henry A. (1882-09-27)

nwh Gipps Lanse Lakes Sept 27th 1882 To Prof. H. A. Ward Dear Sir.

       As the ^out pouring^ Californian Mail leaves Sydney

on 5th ? ? I find I must at once ? the little I have to pay, without waiting the arrival of a possible letter from you by the Sept mail. I forwarded you an account of profit. Since then I have ? a ? the ? of a fortnights duration for Platypus - the result was not very encouraging as during that time I obtained but 8 more Platypus 6 of which - together with a Black Snake I killed when ? the River. I have placed in Spirit - the remaining 2 platyapi I made skins of. I should have got more but the Banks of the Nichol? River are far too low for platypus shooting I lost many that I shot at on this account you must be placed well above the platypus to make a successful shot, for as the only part exposed is the line of their back and as that is just on a level with the water unless you can shoot down on them your shot are pretty certain to