13 February 1864 Maraekakaho My dear Donald I am sorry to say that Alexr is not back as yet but I trust he has gone to Napier otherwise I fear he is not in good company. It is high time you were coming up to see us here. I cannot understand how you are staying away. I came down here today to see now things were doing and brought Annabella with me. I found old Mr Ferguson there and of course a number idle or next to idle paid men. I find a fotograph man their taking views of the place. He said Alex requested him to do so. There is no great harm in that. I heard that he was at Ford's at Waipawa on Friday with the Livestons and a lot more Highlanders and I fear he is not far from their as yet. Big John has gone away and so is Liveston and the place wants some one with authority to look after it. I cannot well attend to both besides they all think I have no wright to interfear, or do I wish to do so in his absence. I wanted Warren to go with me for the firewood today and he said he could not before my brother came home as he had no orders so that I need not trouble myself or greave myself when you are so carless about all the arrangments that were to take place after shearing and you cannot but know the expence and disgrace of keeping a worthless class of men about the place. You will know who is manager in Alex's absence. Of course I need not say more on that head as he does as he pleases. Poor old Malcolm is still attentive to his duty. He is today after some wooley sheep that are across the river. I beg of you if Alex is not gone to Napier to come up here some day this week and see what is to be done. Your affectionate brother Archibald John McLean