until May - now Maddock tells me that pleadings are being made today on your behalf in Wellington before the Judge in Chambers and that on those pleas being made a future time will be fixed for the case being heard - that means I take it in May - and this now going on is a preliminary proceeding. About the Akitio sheep the price offered for 600 viz. 4/- is better than is generally going and you should take it if you want to sell. I have a report of the state of the Coast flocks and find there is very little the matter as yet with Featherstones and that his sheep are being dipped - So there is hope he may get quit of scab before it spreads to your flock - We are having a most extraordinary season there is no end to the rain which is much in excess of what is required and doing mischief - Feed everywhere is of course abundant and it seems as if we were going back to the seasons of former years before drought was known in Hawkes Bay. I have been very busy since receipt of your letters and had no time to look through the Manawatu correspondence but I will try and do so shortly and