5 February 1859 Maraekakaho My dear brother I am very glade to have heard from you and pleased to find you have hopes of having no dificulty in settling about that Domett affair for I am well awair it was gaving you a good deal of anxiety of mind and so it was myself for I see it is your only plan to be clear of them as soon as possible so as to incur no more expences in holding possession without a proper understanding and settlement of the old score for under existing circumstances you require all the money you possibly can lay hold of for land purchas and other things. I am glade you are securing land on the run as there is nothing like free hold and by industry and perseverance in making paddocks. There is more to be done than bothering about other runs in this districk at preasant without capital. As long as the Maori land is unsold it gaves us time to prepair for the cressis [crisis] and chance to improve this place. I really think without you got a good price for the sheep that you would do better to have them here as they would improve the run and perhaps make up the loss of lambs in a year or two here till more room could be procured. I have housed the wheat and theatched the oats. I was up at Danvers and he has got four of the rams their. Anything for an easy life for him. We got all the sheep from Oliver but lost four among his flock when taking them down. There is none of our sheep at Mason's. Tuke is done shearing on Thursday and will finish packing his wool. Today I cannot do any thing with the floor till his wool is gone and I am going to the bush to prepair timber for the house. I do hope you will not be long away as time is flying fast and but little improvements going on. We must soon settle our minds down to a commencement about hauling timber. McDonald's brother is a regular slowing. He is not worth his salt. Tuke is going to take him. If you with any propriety can arrange something for our dear sister to get them here do so but do not by any means distress yourself in any way. McDonald told me something I was very much anoyed at regarding something I will tell you when you come. I promised him not to tell you but his plate and horses will be poor security for you as I do believe he never will settle down to make money. You are two good hearted my dear brother and those idle fellows knows that and take advantage of your goodness. It is time for us now to look at home to those who forever cherish us in their hearts and who look to us and would make us comfortable if we had them here. I am going to write John in a day or so to see if he is able to fact up to his promise. I think it is as well to try him now and if we had them once hear they never would trouble John any more. Now my dear Alex, take care of yourself and believe me to be Your attached brother Archibald John McLean