1 May 1861 Maraekakaho My dear Donald I wrote a few days ago a long letter inclosing the weight and an account of the wool that went this year also an account of the stock left on station. There is 36 of the Poverty Bay cattle still left. The number sold and bartered I do not know as I did not get an account of them all from Alex. In my last letter to you I only could say thirty but I find the odd six. I was very much put about by Mr Smith coming to me yesterday and saying he only received £40 from Alex in place of the £80 that he so often told me he had paid a long time ago. He got £100 for himself from Smith and paid that. Its rather hard for me to be here keeping a/c and none of the money paid or received accounted for. It makes me feel very doubtful things are not as they ought to be. There is a good many little bills coming in now that he told me was settled before so that I do not know what to say. He gave me £10 to pay some labour at the station and other little things when he left and with that I paid every thing that I new of was owing but now if he does not come back soon I will be placed in dificulties if any bills come in and I cannot pay them. Of course I would never pay any but those I new were correct and not payed before. If you have paid the £80 for me already or put it to his credit at the bank it is very hard that he should come now to crave me for it. Please to let me know how it was done. I have got the Maories now quite satisfied to not do any more about the plains till you or Alexander comes here and then if they are not wanted by us after the back rent is payed they will leace them to any one of us before strangers so that that matter is so far arranged favourable. We are working away as well as we can here. My wife is doing all she can to economise and keep things tidy. She is very anxious to see you down and I hope and trust you will try and come before long. I have no more to say at preasant but hope you will let me know how that £80 was settled. I wish I only new how everything connected with the settlements of money matters here was going on and then I would have no doubts in my mind regarding them. Your affectionate brother Archibald John McLean