29 January 1864 Maraekakaho My dear Donald I send you a few lines by the bearer who is going down today to join Tanner. I got home at 1 pm and they were finished at our own sheep all but 130. The number of bales in all is 146 but I am aware there is a good many str[a]gelars still out which will be brought in by degrees next week. We may get one bale more perhaps 2. Inglis' sheep will be done today and I will pay the natives of on Saturday. I hope that our dear sisters are now safe with you. I will be down some day next week for to see them and take Catherine's saddle down for her. Neil Walker goes down with ... bales. I gave him the dray note as I was out of invilops without going home for some but you will find it on file at the Kinrosses. Alex is getting round and will be at work today. Catherine was down here yesterday anxious to here of the other two. She thought they arrived before I left. Neil Walker told us he saw the steamer coming in as he was coming up. I think it is a great blessing that Douglas was such a good proctector. Poor little fellow. I hope you will let us have him for a fortnight before he goes. Catherine is going to make some preserves etc for them for the passage. I gathered a bag of apples yesterday for the purpose before they would be stolen for every fruit here is taken as fast as it is fit to be looked at and before its ripe. The young man has been here two week and 2 day. Your ever affectionate Archibald John McLean Donald McLean Napier Forwarded by Edward Collison