12 November 1867 Maraekakaho My dear Donald I am pleased to inform you Alexr is at home today. He came to the accomodation house yesterday evening and I found him there this morning. He is now at home. Maney drove him up. He says he is not going to wash any of the sheep if the heavey winds is over and a little rain to come to lay the dust. I consider it would pay better to wash the dry flock so that if you consider that should be done you should write up at once about it. You could try 2 to 3000 of the wethers and hoggets and that would prove which would be the best in the grease or washed. The docking was done today after dinner but as I had to go to Duff before the tails were counted I do not no the number but it will not be much short of 8000 and by all accounts Duff will not have on Smith's much over 3000 so Fleming told me yesterday. He was their at the docking & drafting. Your always affectionate brother Archibald John McLean