1 January 1872 Maraekakaho My dear brother I had a few lines from you the other days with the sad news from the south. When I saw the telegram in the paper I could not believe till I got your few lines. I feel much struck at the poor fellow being killed out of his own buggy. I hope there is something left for them at the Ashburton. It was a good little farm they owned their. I shall say no more about the sad affair till I hear from you. We had a good shearing and I think a heavey one. We had bad weather hear before comencing. Took a great deal of the yoke out of it but on the whole they worked well, in fact all put the lambs are the best I have ever seen hear even and strong and well bred as well the Melbourn sheep are showing their quantity. All the rams are sold and as maney more if we had them. Johnston from Te Wairoa and Towgood of Tongoia bought the lot and would have bought more if their were hear for sale but there are more kept this year. The sheep now are getting well known and in my oppinion they will sell. I am getting a large paddock put up to keep a thousand sheep if wanted. The fencing will cost about £52 pounds per mile. The posts from the Kereru and the labour of bringing, putting up and £22 pounds per mile. We have to get the wire. The posts are mostley on the ground and the wire. All the posts to fence of Carlyon and Hector Smith and split in the Kereru and taken out of the bush and agreed on the lines of fence and drawing the posts on the lines Masson fence. They have posts on that line so by winter their will be a good deal of the fence up round the run but that [eacer?] talked done some bad places to bring timber. There are 22500 sheep shorn and their will about 700 out which will be got in at the month makes in all about 23000. The shearing was well got over this year all by natives. Noa and Renata's men and one or tow Ihaka Kapo men and the tow best men we had. I am greatley bothered wi[th] old Paul Nui Nui at the bridge. He came up the other day when I was out on the run and took possession of the house without a stitch of clothing but old shirt and blanket, horse cart, wife and all I sent to the stalle and their he remains yet and don't intend to move but I think at present their no harm in letting him stop for a few weeks. The old Hapuka when he came back from Wellington he came to se me and was verry pleasant. Had diner and telling me all the news and how well you were and how well he behaved in all matters. I was glad to se the old man but when leaving he said he came to get some money that was due to Paul. I then went to the station and saw Condie and told that the Hapuka came for some money for Paul and Condie said is safe to let him have it. I said yes by drawing an order in Paul's own name and let the Hapuka give a receipt it would be safe. This was he got the order and signed for it and he asked for the ten pounds for himself and I said to him do not know how you and the Makarini stand. He said their was lots of money due him. I have a bukabuka from the Makarini. Well show it when you can get money at aney time. He went away in a great [word missing]. The next I saw was at Carlyons. Him and a man of the name of Elison going to survey all the country. He would not speak the old fish but asked the surveors what I said. Elison wanted to get information from me. I told no one but that I was aware that all that was bought and paid for year ago then I overtook Carlyon and told what was up. He got in a rage and sent Elison a letter that he would have him up for trespass if cort on his ground with instruments so that stopt the work for a time. All the natives hear at that time sought they were going to get all the land back throuth [through] letter from Henry at Pahowhai. Some taulk they made up during the sesion. The number of bales of wool this year 260 od[d]. The clip all together will be a good maney tons nearer this year than last from the same number of sheep. Tell Duglas that I will send him all the whole weights. The whole of the wool is not down at the port but it will the most of next week. On the eve shall have all the weights. I have sent some bacon and some honey down. I hope you have got it alright. Hopeing you will be able to make this out and that you are all in health. Hopeing to hear from you soon. Allways your Alexander McLean