24 January 1862 Napier My dear brother I write you a few lines to tell you that I have leased the plains for £250 per annum for 16 years and had a great dificulty to get them so maney ofering high rents and being a disputed piece of land. All the owners have signed the lease and the boundaries are well described so I hope their will be no more troubble. The 'Sea Serpent' is hear and I send 20 bales of wooll by her. She has no more room. No one will buy wooll hear this year. I hope you will soon be hear till we try and arange all matters. Young and old there are 6000 sheep on the station and the run will keep about 1500. I may have at tot of 2000 or three thousand on before you come. The wooll of one 1000 sheep will about pay the rent. As I hope to se you soon I shall say no more that you and Douglas is well and with my respects to Mr Strang. I remain your affectionate brother Alexander McLean