15 June 1864 Maraekakaho My dear Donald I am getting very anxious about Alexr and I would like you would come up here yourself. I find is getting bare for the wethers down below and there is plenty of grass in the back and the sheepherds say they would do much better but one sheepherd will have to go back there to keep the boundary between Carlyon and us. It would be well for you to gave a look up. I came down today to get some grass for McKenzie for the hills to take with him as he goes round. It would be well to have one m...d sowing grass on the old run in all the places that is burned and you will find there is no time to be lost. I find now that where any English grass is sowen is the only place that has any kind of good feed on this year. If we do not attend to that way of improving we will go to ba[ck]ward. That man McKenzie is very desirous of getting into the Mounted Force if he could get in Campbell's place. He hears he is going to leave. He might answer their very will and would be a good way to get clear of him. Old Gray is with me lending me a hand to sow grass on the hills. Kate is very anxious about Alex. I wish you would send him home and come with him. John is getting on in the same way about a little over a pound per week. Always your attached brother Archibald John McLean