Letter from Mrs. Wilson to Donald McLean, dated 16th. December 1854. New Plymouth 16th. December 1854. No doubt my dear Big Son will be angry with his old Mother for not writing him by last Post, to acknowledge the receipt of his kind, affectionate, and most welcome letter of the (I Know not the date, haveing mislaid the said letter in our still confused state, for no carpenters have appeared yet to finish our unfortunate house. One thing is pretty certain, that it is not very likely that remember the date, therefore I might have put down any one which happened to come firstly; but this I do well remember, and sincerely rejoiced at it, --- that you mentioned the health and growth of my dear little grandson. May God bless and protect him is my sincere wish and prayer. How I should like to see the dear little fellow. Tell me as much about him as you can. Is he tall of his age? does his hair curl? and what does he chatter about? does he speak Maori? In short, you must tell old Granny all and everything the dear boy says and does. Here affairs go on much the same as when you left. Of course you have heard of Master Ehaia's cool murder. The Moturoa people arrived the day before yesterday to claim "utu"; but we are in hopes it will all end in a Tangi and plenty of "Kai". As Mr. Wilson has "bought Houke's flock of sheep for Pat, he has to be at the Hua every day, as they are clipping them. He finds the natives all quite quiet. We are looking every hour for Pat, who is to come up in order to drive down his flock. He appears to be getting on very well with the farm. He has engaged William Russell, and finds him most useful and trustworthy. Willie Watt has been here in the "Rosebud", from Sydney. He brought Mrs. Watt with him. She was staying with me while the "Rosebud" was in Port. We were quite pleased with her. She has all the pretty manners of a well-educated lady, and expresses herself in perfectly good style. I am rather proud of this, as she was one of my proteges at Wanganui. I always foretold she would turn out so. This proves to me that I am doing right in aiding the young girls of the present day to come forward. Why should they be left back? They will get on in spite of all the and is it not better to give them a helping hand, that they may not untimately give you a kick? We are all on the tip toe of expectation, as Richard Brown has sent out cards of invitation to 250 persons for a Rural Feast at Crofton Park on New Year's Day, and Fancy Dress Ball in the evening. Don Pedro is to go as the Emperor of Morocco; and I as a Spanish Lady. So you see what an aold pair of fools we shall be. But we are not the only ones. My poor taee will not allow me to dance a "Bolero" or "Fandango", but my eyes will see all; and my pen will take care to give you a full account of all the gay doings. James Ritchie is writing to you to express his grattitude for all yours. You will see that he is prudent in remaining here, at least for some time. There is nothing like an old Mother's afron strings. The increase to his salary will enable him to settle, and no doubt that as soon as he gets a letter of approbation from his father, the marriage will take place. You will excuse this short letter when I tell you that I have no servant now, so I must just say God bless you and your dear boy, and ever believe in the affection of Your old Mother (Signed) H.A. Wilson. To:- Donald McLean.