Whawanui, Cape Palliser. Saturday evening. 31st. Dec. 1853. My dear Sir, The Flood in the Hutt last Monday with the broken state of the Bridges and Roads the two following days prevented me getting to Wellington and on Thursday I was compelled to start for this place to complete the years affairs with John the Overseer and the other Shepherds which prevented me waiting on you and our friend Mr. Commissioner Bell as I intended. It was to submit quietly to offer you the loan of five hundred pounds free of Interest for the purpose of your purchasing the Block