Napier, February 13th, 1870. My dear McLean, I write this to be ready for the Ashley as I may not have time when she comes. In the first place I have bad news or the prospect of bad news in regard to your Akitio run -- The Matikuna and John Sutherlands flocks are declared scabby and Featherston's run has had its clean certificate withdrawn -- Peacock is just returned from another visit to the locality and he tells me there is no possibility of Featherstone's flock escaping and he fears yours also will get it -- it seems the country is all open now at the back -- and that your sheep mix with Featherstone just as he does with John Sutherland. I do not know whether anything can be done to save your flock from Featherstone's but I fear not from what Peacock tells me.