27 November 1857 Waipuriki My dear brother I take the pleasure of writing you a few lines from this place to let you know that I have made a purchase yeasterday on the Aorangi Block of 973 acres at ten shillings per acre which makes the run complete. I allso bought 300 acres on the flat on the run to join that and the Aorangi Block together makes a square block of land that will feed 2000 sheep for the sum of £636 pounds. I have bought good 2000 acres of land there is a great deal of swamp in the beds of the river that is not surveyed and the best part of the land. It is a valuable piece of property and bought cheap. I shall send you a plan of the block next vessell as I have no time to send you a long letter till I go home. I have to tell you that I bought 200 young ewes from Harding at 26/ per head and the pick of the whole flock. They are by far the best sheep in the district. Captain Newman offered me 32/ shillings for them affter I bought them and I bought 100 from Olliver at same price and I must draw on them in a few days. I mean your friend Mr Holt and I have kept him some splendid young rams. I shall write you all the particulars when I get home. In haste I remain your affectionate brother Alexander McLean