22 Jany [1851] Ahuriri is an exceedingly dull place. The best thing about it is that you jump out of your bedroom window into the Bay & have a nice refreshing bathe before your eyes are quite open in the morning. It is quite a place for early hours. In the course of the week I intend taking a trip to the north of this where I may have a chance of again writing you. I have just finished a great number of letters for home but I fear as the Rose schooner has come in sight that I will not have time to write to Taranaki although I have several letters to answer. I shall have several sketches to show you when I get to Wellington besides a nice little terrier named Whiskey who is my companion in the tent. I will keep my letter open in case I may some more nonsense to add before the vessel sails as it is a head wind. If nothing more should occur I must say adieu!! I should have written to Mamma but have nothing to write about. It seems you continue early rising having written a good long note before Miss Redish wakened at 7 am. Such industrious habits are most commendable an will do more to preserve your health and youth of which you are so ambitious than all your forebodings & repining because there are no more balls, dances, parties or excursion Goodbye again Susan. Be a good girl as you promise in the note when sending the gloves & braid to Mr Bethune's & believe me to remain Your very sincerely Donald McLean My reason for fancying that there may be a chance of writing to you from Tauranga is that I hear today that Wellington vessels frequently come there.