15 October 1858 Waipaurica My dear brother I embrace the opportunity of sending you a few lines by Mr Ferguson who leaves here tommorrow for Auckland. I came down here last night for some stores for the station. We are very busy about the woolshed and I hope will have it finished in good time. Alex is very anxious to go to Auckland to see you and make some arrangements about procuring more land. He tells me that he can manage to do so if you are agreeable to his plans. He has not told me as yet clearly so I cannot tell you. We put in one acre more of potatoes yesterday and planted about the acre of Indian corn last week. The early potatoes are looking well altho we have had very dry weather, I fear that if we don't have rain this month the grass and crop will be ruined. So all the people here say that having a spring in the gardin everything looks well. I do hope dear Donald you will come down this way in summer so as to have a consultation with you. I wrote you a long letter last month which you will have received eare this. What do you think of my staying in the country and sending for Catherine. I myself think I will be able to reward you fully by industry and perseverance for putting me in a way to carry out my wishes in that way. McLauchlin is at work again now. Please see and send the blue gum seed by Mr Ferguson also three Guinea hens if they can be got for the price they were offered me at. 2 hens and a cock will be plenty. We have now got nice geese and I am going to get turkies from Mrs Oliver for a pair of geese. Alex is much disapointed about Domett's run. He says after going to so much trouble about it and expence to have to lose it just when it would be of advantage to you is two hard when he tells me that Domett's at one time would make my terms with him for seven years. Please God I hope this summer to make such arrangements that the station expences will be materially curtailed. I have done a deal towards it already but as I told you before we cannot alter it much before. We get to live by ourselves and serve rations out to the sheepherd. I hope you are comfortable with Jessy's arrangements and that she will make a prudent house keeper. It must be cheaper and better for all parties. I wish this station had an interested female about it as I mentioned in my last it would be a great saveing to you besides the comfort of doing good. I dare say you will think my letters are to sanguine on that head but I can assure you I forsee the great good in it for us all. Keeping what is spend on others among ourselves would amount to something independent and hansom in time. Tell my dear little Dugald that his Lala Mouts is doing very well and will be a nice poney for him when able to manage her which will be afore long. I [am] certain he will do better at school than at home. With regards to John and Jessy and Aunty. Hoping to soon hear of her at home and once more comfortable. I remain your affectionate brother Archibald John McLean