Dalmuir Hill July 13th 1850 My dear Mr McLean I was sorry that I did not receive your letter in time to answer it by the last mail. Mr Bethune had sent it to Mr Lyon's shop to be given to Papa in passing and he did not get it till Monday evening. I write in answer to your note from Waikanae by the first mail after you left and since then I have heard no news of any kind. The weather with the exception of a few days has been very bad. It has rained without interruption for the last four days and now there is no appearance of it clearing. There has also been a great deal of wind. The Monday after you went away it blew a perfect hurricane. A number of fences were blown down. I expected the whole night to feel an earthquake as it was the same kind of weather when we had the first severe shock. You will be surprised to hear that Mama walked to the Warra with Mrs Kirton and myself. It was a pleasant day for walking and I am sure that it did her a great deal of good. She also went to Mrs Kelham's and took an early dinner with Mr & Mrs Kirton. I think if I could persuade Mama to go out every fine day she would soon be quite strong for she always appears to me to be much better after having a walk. I saw Mrs Paul a few days since and she told me that you had frightened them all at Mr Rhatigan's house by sending the money which was to pay the natives for them to take charge of till you arrived. It almost caused a quarrel between Mrs Rhatigan and her husband about where it was to be placed for safety as they were afraid that some of the soldiers who knew it was there might break into the house. Mrs Paul at last got tired of the dispute and went to bed leaving them quarrelling. Mrs Rhatigan says that she will be happy to see you or fifty more like you but she hopes she never will have any more of your money under her charge. I believe after all that it was my fault as it was me who persuaded you to remain till Wednesday morning. I shall give Papa on Monday the wages stamps and memoradum books. There is a brush here I once thought of sending to you but I think now it is not worth while. Papa tells us that you are not to buy Wairarapa and that you will be in sooner than you expected when you left. I hope it is so. When you write let us know when we may expect to see you. I must now conclude my letter which will I fear be very uninteresting but I have got nothing more to tell which you would wish to hear. Mama sends her kindest regards and believe me my dearest McLean Ever yours affectionately Susan D Strang