My dear Maclean, Very many thanks for your compliance with my request it is indeed very acceptable for altho' out but very little sometimes feel the want of a shilling. Most sincerely do I hope your efforts in securing the land may be successful for I am heart sick at the monstrous and unprofitable life I am at present leading, and I really think if there is not a change shortly I shall make another start for N.S.W. - as regards the Xmas here Maclean it has gone off I believe very quietly for myself have not visited one person the great attraction has been the Theatricals and can assure you was remarkably well got up and some of the Corps would not have disgraced the London boards marsh was very killing and derserves immense credit his singing is A. 1 - but he must not put Chesney into the shade he being the author and prime mover discharging his duties as Scenic artist remarkably well - and Watt as mechanist perfect he undertaking scene shifting lighting etc. in fact without him would have proved a failure - the room Georges fitted up remarkably well and the audience each night consisting of the elite of N.P. - with bumpers each night they are desirous of retaining the rooms until his Exy. returns so as to amuse him a little each night went off without the least row - saving Mr. J. Hoskin getting drunk and pitching down stairs, hurt seriously - there is but little news Maclean the all engrossing topic Standish and Norris's dissolution the former has been in a most deplorable state of mind at times quite insane he is much better, but not attending to business - the former I much fear is playing a queer game, taken fresh offices, two clerks one £150 and the other £100 this for yourself only on Thursday his checques were returned from Wellington it is calculated he has from 4 to £5000 in paper circulation here Watt Dorset etc. are sending all they can out of the settlement keep this quiet tho' I dare say it will be public enough in a day or two. I was at the Waitara with Lattimer a week or two back saw Toby and such a drunken exhibition I never witness at W. King's Pa Iaah's (?) father was lying in his coffin and the mob there keeping up a regular Wake, somebody in Town must be making a good thing out of them. - the potato growers are looking very gloomy, as Brown and Watt are hanging back as buyers and the £8 and £10 is at an end. The Velox could not sell her last Cargo at any price - and the Gems" realized only £2 per ton at Melbourne. ? and Imlay I believe lost £4000 last year in their speculations. You have of course heard that W. Halse has secured the Heiress Miss Wood he is her daily escort. I hope you have had a jolly Xmas - and that you were happy in the society of your little boy who I hope is well - how rejoiced we all ought to be at the favourable intelligence from the East - did you Maclean take any steps as a means of having my name inserted in the list of J.P's. Parris brought news of the arrival in Auckland of two of your brothers - have you met yet - hoping soon to hear favorably of the Waiwakaro with kindest regards from all Believe me dear Maclean yrs. very sincerely, J. Webster Saturday 19th Jan 1856