27 December 1867 Glenorchy My dear Donald As I hear that you are likely to be going away by the mail steamer on the first of the year I feel anxious to see you as I have several things to sugest to you before you go in reference to my own affairs and yours also so I will try and get down on on Monday if possible. I have to get a few things for the use of the house as I am going to live at the little place I put up to look after the place and try and put some of the things up their to rights. At all events get the cattle looked after and a few cheese if possible made before the season is over. They are getting on very well with the shearing. I saw some wool that was washed by Skelicorn and it was very clean, also some lockes that looked very clean and nice. I expect that the Prince will likely keep you a good while away from here and nothing will be done till your return the times being so bad. I do think you ought to make some retrenchments at Maraekakaho. The expensive way that is keep up comes to a great deal of money. So many men employed where a great many of them could be this dispenced with. The wages and food is a very great eatem [item] in the expenditure however if I will see you I will explain to you my oppinion on the subject and I am certain you will see the weight of it yourself, in fact it always vexes me to see two men doing one man's work. The man Fleming up here does as much as I may say three down there every morning before he leaves after his sheep. He milks his cows and then goes for all day, comes back late at night and looks after things about the place and never a moment idle. He certainly and his wife take great interest in his work and is quick and careful also. Hoping this will find you and Annabella quite well this dreadful hot weather. Yours always affectionate Archibald John McLean