22 Sept. 1861 My dear Maclean, We are still in the land of the living thro' all the changes that have taken place - anxiously awaiting the arrival of Sir G. Grey and wondering what his policy will be - of course there are plenty of surmises, but my little opinion is that he can never compromise the rascally deeds of the Southerners - at present there is no inclination on the part of the settlers in that direction but a great many are keeping up their places on the Bell Block and the Town Boundary is getting pretty well covered with houses more particularly within the lines - and the base of Marsland Hill is Terraced by buildings connected with the military such as officers quarters etc. in fact its forms a little Township - poor Captn. King is confined to the house at last his legs being very bad indeed and he suffers a great deal of pain at night - so that I think the effect of broken rest will soon make severe inroads on his formerly strong constitution it is wonderful how very philosophically he alludes to his son's death and what is to fearful he has become more aviricious than ever his whole talk is how he can amass more money. Cutfield in speaking of him the other day was saying what a fearful thing it was to be with as his whole thoughts were of money "" - am glad to say Webster Brothers are making a good start for themselves they are both very steady and much liked here Willy the smartest of the two - considering the heavy amount of sickness the settlement has been visited with I must be thankful that providence has laid its hands so lightly on my family who are all thank God well. Mrs. Phillips occasionally being slightly invalided - but you know at the best of times she is but a poor mortal. She never hears from her husband nor is his whereabouts known to any one here. I was having a long yarn with the Major yesterday who gave me to understand that you were increasing rapidly in bulk is this from extreme good living and little exercise if so take an old man's advice and take plenty of exercise and be careful of your diet. I rub on extremely well with Herbert who told me he was to bear your remembrances to me thanks for which - he is very kind to me and I get all the indulgencies I apply for for the purpose of gardening when he went to Auckland I beged him to get me some Garden Seeds, he kindly did so tho' at a cost of nearly £3 the worst is that scarcely any of them grown I think the man's name he got them from was Richardson - now I want to beg a favour of that amongst your friends you will be kind enough to get up a collection of flowers as well as vegetable seeds for me, I know you must have many friends in Auckland I am trying to get my garden in order and will esteem it a particular favor if you can send me down some by return of the "" as the season is getting far advanced, I would not trespass upon your kindness had those the Major sent down suceeded or were they procurable here. Should you be successful in procuring any for me and any of our people are coming down if not much trouble give the parcel to them as that abominable Steamer charges so exhorbitantly for the smallest parcel - you I dare say will have heard that we have a very gentelmanly set of officers here of the 57th. the Colonel in particular, McKechney and wife from some cause or another are very intimate there. What is Fred Carrington doing in Auckland is he employed by the Government? the Major tells me he is. Cutfield I hear is going to live at Brooklands, De Voeux's last letter stated that he expected to get appt. Aid-de-camp to the Governor which I suppose would give him some pay. How soon Lieut. A King found it policy to make himself scarce from Auckland this place was a deal too hot for him at last. You know of course that poor Ritchie has gone to the had, his friends were obliged to have him confined at last. Now Goodbye Yrs. faithfully, J. Webster.