13 March 1869 Glenorchy My dear Donald As I have a number of plants and cuttings to take down for you and that the grass seed has to come up would it not be better for the station cart to go down with them and bring up the seed and any other things they may be wanting. I would insist on them burning this month patches here and their and let the sheepherds, manager & Twigg take the seed out and sow it on the ground. I cannot stop here and be pes.... at the frivolous way and want of energy displayed by every one that comes to the station. In the mode of putting it in grass it grieves me to think that the old sistem I so faithfully adobted in getting all the men I could in the season to spread grass over the run is now know [crossed out] completely abandoned and made up in long talke about nothing when the work should be seen to and carryed on. I have a pride and pleasure now to ride over the places where I had grass down in season and see the progress it has done and had I been suported as I ought to have been done the run this day would carry one third more stock but it is not two late yet to do good altho without more energy in the field the time will pass and nothing done. Condie is very good but minde you he lacks peception and plan and is two fond of long parleys with the men and their oppinion to carry on any amount of work and some one to stimulate him to action in many ways is much required. However when I see you we can talk more on the subject. I was very much grieved to find when I came to the accomodation house that some of the fleece wool was very badly washed and got up and I fear two much soda used. I spoak to Skellicorn impressively on the subject and he said the weather was very much against him. Certainly that was the case but still better could have been done. I took him over to the Ng[a]rora to see and get a better place but the flood had washed away the place. I was in hope of being fit for the purpose and as the station wool was finished but two or three bales I thought it was better not to shift this season. As I find that next season he must be looked after by someone that has more interest in the place than mere strangers or the fleece wool not gaven to him at all as I believe it was as profitable in the grease as it will be by the way some of it was washed this year. Hector Duff told me that he was going to see to all he was going to send him this year and he also does not believe in his mode of sl..ing the work. I want you quitely to go to the Spit when this last lot goes down and see that it is sampled yourself and particularly see that it is dry when his man was baling it. The other day I spoak to him of the necessity of having the wool dry and went to Skellicorn and told him the same and I found then none of the wool up for baling. Of course he wants weight as the more pounds the more sheechapens [?]. The wool was then put to dry more with words. The fearful bad weather is all in fault that of course can be taken for what it is worth, it is want of interest & want of judgment and he must next year be better looked after before. I see many things as they are I will do so myself as it will gave me satisfaction in doing a duty I consider much required. It is not by flying visits and long parleys that one can see what is doing at the place like that it is by sticking to it and seeing things carreyed out. I find most people are very good at talking of anything easy for there own way of thinking & comfort without much interest in others. It is needless for me to say more onley you ought to see the force of this. Yours always Archibald John McLean