Mon chere frere Glad I got your note on Sunday. Am afraid your flannels are not sufficiently warm for the change. I do hope Douglas will be careful to put thicker flannels on. I hope he will soon get into the country that he may see all the improvements in sheep farming that go on down south. Towns and hotels are not profitable places for youth to be at for long. I have seen Mr Strang and Mr Tollemache twice since you left. Mrs Clayton is spending the day with them. Scully and Shepherd from Napier called. They say the country looks beautiful up there. Not by any means so burnt up as Wellington .... Johnston was here on Sunday. The Judge returns to town on Saturday. Letter from Mr Hart by seagoing mail. Dined with Mr Levin Christmas Day. The healths drank were Donald McLean & Judge Johnston. Mr Hart advises all to make hay while the sun shines. These good times for wool growers cannot always last. These poor children give me great concern. What good you do I trust it will be for their benefit and that you will not in any way be put on by these Mudies. They are thriftless helpless people. Am afraid poor John felt that. The telegrams from England are alarming in reference to America. I must close, the mail goes. Hope Douglas will write. Yours in haste. Annabella McLean Tuesday 5 March [187-]