Ma chere frere Here the start is going today. Mr Smith was buried yesterday. Alick at the funeral. Native matters are really threatening. Everyday one hears of things more alarming than ever. Cannot understand how it is but am so full of trouble and anxiety about everything. Matters are going on smoothly now. The Wisharts most careful people. Will not allow Archy to do anything further about trees. Always dreaming of the job. Had the Miss Russells Redcliffe in for a ball. The eldest a pleasing companion. They were most pleased with the attention. Thought it due to them. Colonel Russell has always been so nice. He will be proud to hear his youngest daughter Emily was the belle of the evening. She and Emma Burke came out for the first time. How prettily Mrs Burke mentioned you when last I saw her. She is a little politican. Expresses herself so beautifully in everything in which you are connected. It is astonishing the interruptions I get, constant visitors from the country or else where. Mr Gordon here yesterday. Alick was at the Ormond's the other day. Won the old lady's heart with nursing the baby so well. Mrs W Hunter is staying there. Asked her here to spend the day. Great feeling of uneasiness since hearing of Te Kooti and the King natives leaguing together. Bad omen but may work for good. Trust it may. Mr Bigg, Mr Kinross, Mr Wilson all well. In haste Yrs Annabella McLean Friday 13 July Napier