Maraekakaho October 24th My dear Donald I feel sure that you will be pleased to hear that we had the pleasure of having dear kind Mr Strang & the Judge up here. They could only stay for one night which we regreted exceedingly. We made the most of our bush house & had everything as comfortable as it was possible for us to make it. Mr Strang and the Judge too seemed quite delighted & pleased with everything. The country, the improvements on the station, garden & all they seemed highly pleased with. The trees are looking remarkably well just now, and so are the grass padox. Tell Douglas that his little garden is getting on nicely. The flowers are coming up and it only wants him to keep down the weeds. His grandpapa has been looking anxiously for him & is in great hopes that you will allow him to come with Alex. He thinks that the change up here will do him good. You will be glad to hear that Catherine's gig brought Mr Strang and the Judge up 2nd up so you may suppose that it is a good strong one. C sent it down by Archy Mclean ten days ago so as that the two gentlemen might have the use of it during their stay at port, and to bring them up when they were ready. Archy is most kind & attentive to Mr Strang. He went to port on Saturday so as to accompany them up & he is now away down with them. They had a good drive so I hope that they get down in safety. Mr Strang seemed very anxious that I would go with him to Wellington. Indeed he said but for "you" that he would take no denial but not having consulted with you beforehand he was afraid that you would not like it. I think that he is quite afraid of you. Poor old gentleman. I do feel for him. So lonely. He tells me that you are thinking of sending Douglas home but I shall likely hear soon from yourself regarding this. What ever is keeping Alexander so long away. I feel quite unhappy about him. I do hope that he shall soon make his appearance now. 3rd All is going on well at the station as far as I can judge. It is getting near shearing time & we are anxious for Alex being home. I have not heard from Annabella for a long time which makes me feel quite miserable. I can not make it out. Nor have I heard from John nor Jessie since I left Christ C. I fear that there is not much happiness in that quarter. Poor John. I wrote to them both since I came home. My dear Donald I am always your affectionate sister Catherine Maclean My love to Douglas I do long much to see both father and son.