31 December 1862 Maraekakaho My dear Donald I would have written you by Atkins but I went over to Mrs Lowrey's and had Douglas with me on Monday for two fine saps of bees that gentleman being going on a tour with his wife requested me to take them home before he left. I got them home early yesterday morning. I am happy to see that you are at last going to except [accept] the wishes of the people and become superintendent. I think it will be a good thing as long as it does not interfear with your former office. I should be very sorry if you were to lose that as it gave you such power and standing in the country. However I am thankful that you are now likely to be bound to this place and that it will be for your own advantage as well others. I was very dull on Christmas Day not having you here but of course new the cause of your not coming and I did not mind. I did intend to go down on Monday to see you but as you were expected home on New Years Day by Alex's account I defaired going. He has been laid up since he came home on Friday last. It will be a disapointment to your sister and us all if you are not here tomorrow but if busness keeps you it cannot be helped and if you do not come up I will go down to see you on busness. Neil Walker came to me for some money saying he had to pay McKinnon who was going away and that he was afraid he might not see you at Napier so I gave him an order for £10 on Kinross. I am glad that the clip is sold but I think he might have gaven 1/2 more as wool is on the rise but still 1/4 is very good as it will be equal to 1/8 at home and all risk is done away with and the money at once realized. Poor Kate promised Barkley to be at the curch [crossed out] church meeting and when she heard you were to be chairman she was very much put out she had not gone to it. Your coming up on New Year's Day prevented that. The drough[t] is fearful and is making every thing look very bad here and all over the country. I put in about 1 1/4 acre of potatoes the day after Christmas expecting rain and if we do not get rain soon I fear the seed will perish. We have very good potatoes considering the season in the gardin. Poor Mrs & Mr Oliver requested of me to inter....ing with you in his behalf to try and get them one of the court magistrates appointments with Major Whitmore. I think myself he would answer one of the those appointments very well and if you could put in a word for him I think it would add some more to your credit. Yours always affectionately Archibald John McLean