Footseray, near Melbourne Septr. 28th 1858 My dear Sir, Now after the excitement consequent upon meeting ones relations after so many years absence has passed over I am anxious to give you an abstact of my proceedings since I last wrote to you. I called sometime back on Mr. John Mudie and received an invitation to, Tea which was of course accepted, and we accordingly proceeded to Mrs. Mudie's in the evening and found the ladies awaiting us. I was received with great kindness by all the family and entered into a long account of everything connected with their friends in New Zealand with which they were very much inteested, although of course they knew all about New Zealand from Mrs. McLean yet it seemed that they were so glad to see one who was acquainted with the family, in fact they were ovejoyed to hear me speak of Mrs. McLean of whom as you may easily imagine they are all doatingly fond. Miss Mudie sings beautifully in fact I was obliged to leave soon afterwads owing to my becoming a little too talkative which you know is very unusual in my case. However I shall pay another visit before I return to New Zealand and shall give Mrs. McLean the particulars the first evening I have a glass of toddy with you at parnell. Oh you should see Miss Mudie that's all. I had a parcel for Abraham and Rochfort and on calling at the office of the latter in course of conversation I happened accidently to mention that I was about to deliver a parcel at Mrs. Stephens residence when he told me she was in the City on a visit to Mrs. Ligar. I forthwith proceeded to that mansion with Rochfort and Mrs. L. - received me very kindly indeed. I explained that I was desirous of seeing Mrs. Stephen, who immediately entered the drawing room and was very formal with me. Mrs. Ligar then took me to an adjourning room and produced drinkables of which I partook and after an hours friendly chat I saw Mrs. Stephens again and said what you requested in reference to the pension when I was thanked and withdrew. Mrs. L. uesiring to be kindly remembered to you who she said over again was her best friand in New Zealand. She deemed that I should call in the evening to see them. I met Ligar accidently in the Grown LandsOffice and he was moderately polite, the first word he said was how is McLean? The following day I had an invitation to dine with Abraham who has been very civil to me and I passed a most pleasant evening at his house on the South Yarra near Richmond. We walked into Town the following morning and he gave me a great amount of information connected with this wonderful place. Abraham is making a rapid fortune in the City and it is likely he will retire in the space of 12 months. He is as mad as ever about New Zealand and recommends every one to go and settle theme and refers people to me for advice which I give freely to a certain point and then refer them to New Zealand before finally making up their minds to emigrate to that countrylest they should be disappointed from all I can gather here New Z. is thought highly of, and in 12 mos time if the souatters at Ahuriri are not sharp there will fee men of large means about that neighbourhood, buying up the choice runs. Abraham has Joined 2 or 3 and has a share in 40,000 acres and 3,000 sheep in Otakou in fact I believe it is the identical place or very near it where Graham and yourself put in for. Only fancy I have been now 13 days and no news whatever of the Missie, how fortunate it was that your brother advised me to take my passage by the American Schooner. Amidst all my wanderings I am constantly thinking of you and although I have enjoyed myself exceedingly, yet I am becoming anxious to get back again to work and finish the remaining portion of Kaipara as far as it can be done. The excitement of Port Curtis diggings has extended to Melbourne and the interior from which miners are coming by thousands and liberally serambling to get on board anything bound to the above Port. I was at the wharf on Saturday afternoon when the Wonga Wonga sailed for Sydney she was examined and numbers were refused a passage for want of space. Yesterday a visit was detained by the authorities at the Melbourne wharf in consequence of her having 150 passengers more than the number allowed. Today I believe 30s/- a day has been offered to sailors who will enter into securities for going to and return from Port Curtis and If I were not so bound up in N. Z. I should be off myself. I am however too anxious to get back again for the climate is already beginning to affect me and I am now labouring under an attack of dysentery which has almost left me prostrate although I have to dine out as usual. I saw the great Clarke a few days ago with some of the great squatters and no one would suspect them of being so wealthy as they are represented to be. I have no means of ascertaining anything about your brothers affairs as you gave me no clue to act upon. Neither have I been able to find out McKenzie the Merchant whose house you wrote in my pocket book the day we parted, and now that I have written to you three times since I left Auckland and have little more to say. I shall not take up any more of your time until I have the pleasure of meeting you again when I hope to find you and the ladies in good health and Believe me to be very sincerely yours, John Rogan. Please remember me to Sewell.