17 April 1861 Maraekakaho My dear Donald Yours of the 25th March came to hand on the 7th of April at the port when down their seeing Alex & Catherine away. You would see by the papers that they left on the 9th inst. My reason for not writing to you imidiately after they sailed was that you wanted me to gave you an account of the stock on the station that I could not do at the port till I went home. We were told at the port that the Maories had leaced the plains which was part[l]y true. Several people were wanting them from them and made them offers of high rent so as to get us put out. When I found this I went and consulted Mr Alex our friend and he strangly recommended me to try and retain the plains in my own name for said he if you do not move in this matter now you will certainly lose the use of them as the Maories will leace. Let the result be what it may and as a well wisher of us all he would be very sorry that you would lose them. Beside you ought to have gone sooner about securing them. He very kindly went round the most of the natives with me and sent a Mr Donaldson with me to interpret to the rest and I am thankful to say that all of them have agreed not to let them to any other one for three months and then if I should want them I can have them in preferance to any other for the same rent. The rent offered them is £10 per month or £120 per annum. So to keep you clear of having any thing to do in the matter I am going to try and make