19 November 1860 Maraekakaho My dear brother I received your three letters with the £40 and was glad you are in good health and spirits. We are all well hear. I am going to wash the sheep today. The weather is not looking well, so much rain. Young Bill has 16 sheep hear and let him do what he likes with them. It was his own wish to get them. I told him I would not keep them for aney len[g]ths of time and I should let him do the best he can with them. Since he left me I hear he has been saying that it was for want of money that I paid him in sheep and it was his own wish to get them. The lambing is not good this year. About 21 hundred lambs but they are good. We cut the lambs last week. The natives is all right as yet but I do not fancy their ways, totaley distant to what they used to be. I have to wash 2600 sheep today and have no time to say more in hopes that Douglas and you are well. Your[s] always Alexander McLean I send this by Fitsgerald who has been hear a day or so. I hope you will soon be hear. In haste. A McLean