Wallingford, Jany. 15th, 1868 My dear McLean, I conclude you will probably be home by the time this reaches Napier. I have little or nothing to write you of. I reed. your note written just before leaving Napier for Wellington in which you said you would like Locke to be one to go in to Patea. I am quite agreeable and shall be very glad to have him -- and shall get him to act afterwards for me as for you in case we do anything whilst in there -- My shearing will be over some time next week I hope in time for me to leave for Napier by the coach leaving here on Thursday the 23rd. If I am not down by that coach I shall be down early the week after. I write this so that you may let your brother and Locke know so that they may make their arrangements to enable them to get away abt. that time -- Get Locke to see that the native who is to go with us is arranged for -- Just now I am in the middle of my shearing and doing about 1500 a day. I find the dust dreadful and very damaging to the color of the wool -- you cant move the sheep anywhere without their being covered with dust -- Really the season we are having is a very trying one and to the over stocked people on the plains it will be a serious matter to unless we get rain soon -- I shall hear from you no doubt how you have got on whilst away -- I am glad to see Grey is to stay to receive the Prince. I am very tired and write in haste since you have been away I have been laid up with a cricked back. Always Yours very truly J.D. Ormond