26 September 1872 Maraekakaho My dear brother I have not wrote you for a long time but glad to tell you that all is going well hear. We shall have a good lambing. The sheep are all looking well in the paddocks. I am sure we shall have a 100 per cent and a fair lambing all over. We have fine weather. The country looks splendid. I only wish you were hear for a few days and take a quiet ride over the runs to se how they have improved. You would hardley know them to be the same country. Their are three more paddocks fenced since you were hear so that we are well of for room for the rams. There is a great demand for them this year. If we had them all that were here is sold and could have sold a great maney more. We had Duncan Cameron from Wairapa [crossed out] Wairrapa looking for rams. He may take the rams that came from the south and a few of the station rams. Old Reid has bought the horse and I am glad that he has. Old Paul is away to the bridge to a Maori doctor. I went to se him the other day but he is no better. He soon will be back again. I have sown a great deal of blue gum seed this year and allso halfe an acre of tobaco seed. If it does well it is useful for washing the young rams to kill ticks which does them a great deall of harm in fact all sheep would be the better of a dip after shearing. They are all for shearing. We comence hear on the first of November. I hear Douglas is at Akitio or going their to look at the shearing. I hope he will come hear before he goes to Wellington. I intend to write him in a day or tow. He would like to se the country hear. It looks so well at present. As I comenced to write this scroll tonight one of the Carlyon boys came with a note from their father wanting me to go over their to select a poney for Kentish McLean and he bothered me taulking. I have no more to say but hopeing to se you soon. Allways yours Alexander McLean PS. We are going to have a sheep and cattle show on the 17 of October and we have been selecting the best rams and ewes yeasterday and sending them to the best paddock to get them in good condition. Hopeing you are all well. Alexander McLean