Nelson 16 May 1859 My dear McLean I hear from Alexander that your brother has sent in an account for taking charge of my sheep and run. It amounts to - and I think is in several respects very exorbitant. The charges formen - for 1 3/4 years - I do not think 2 men were necessary for charge of sheep. And I wanted the run given up 6 months ago- He put on 900 sheep. There were about 300 of mine and the run only required about ewes in all to stock it. Then he charges for loss of wool on these -This I don't think fair. In fact he makes the charge for keeping the sheep much more than the whole value of them. I approved of the arrangement Curling made, because I considered it was made virtually with , from whom, considering the friendly terms we have been on for so many years, I reckoned on getting at least friendly treatment -and that the matter when finally settled would not be settled upon principles or practices adopted by grasping and screwing money-makers. Of course I do not wish you to be in any way a by the transaction - but I understood and gave you credit for having taken the run for me not solely for a profit, but as a favor for which I rested your debtor - I hear you have chosen Gollan for an arbitrator on the matter to whom I can have no objection I should have been willing to have chosen him myself. I don't know whom Alexander will chose for me - perhaps Curling or old Worgan - I wish, however, you would write to Alexander about it - and make it clearly understood on what sort of principles you wish to have the affair settled. I will attend to your wishes about Ship Cove. But I am doubtful rather whether it ought not to be reserved, as a possible place for ships to call at. We are in the middle of our Council Work which as you may suppose I . We have, however, about from Land Fund and elsewhere to spend upon Public Works this year. Young Mackay I am afraid has been too hasty in making reserves for those Kaikoura natives. The additional money he gave was worth speaking of - But I fear he has reserved land - and that he had better have left it alone. However I must write about this again. Believe me always Yours very truly Alfred Domett D McLean Esqr.