24 September 1861 Marekakaho My dear Donald Your letter of the 11th inst duly came to hand and I am pleased that my diary gaves you some satisfaction. I would be always glad to inform you of all our proceedings here for I do not see what cause of secrecy their should be between brothers if they are doing what is just to each other. Nothing is more distressing to me than to have all things connected with the place keep a secret from me when there is no cause or reason for if. God knows I do all in my power to forward the interest of the place in every possible way I can and do all I can to keep expences down. Last year the place was eaten up with people that did but very little for it. Their has been more work done by one sheepheard this year than 4 did last year and some times 5. Certainly the Otago busness required men but less would have done and the work could have been equally well performed. Their was more talk and smoking tobacco than work depend upon a tribe of usless men well never forward a station or any other place. You know the number employed at present is Archy & stock man, Malcomb sheepheard, 1 man that was cooking while Baker was away. I have kept to milch the cows and lend me a hand at various jobs about the station in gardin & for old Archy and stock boy work the bullocks as they please and when they pleased as they consider and say I have nothing to do with them therefore for the sake of piece I leave them alone altho it grieves me to the heart to see so little done by them. I was oblidged to take the dray to the bush last week to haul out some of the timber that was split for us their. The natives have put a pah their and are living their and