Glenorchy 12 Decr 1874 My dear Donald I have written you once since you left relative to some anxiety I had in reference to your going to the Fiji Islands gaving many reasons that I consider sound and worth thinking over and hope you will reply and say what you think of them. Ever since you left I have been in a state of continual converce with the land of spirits and dreaming of my father. Often a thing I never did before and always in conection with you. In my own oppinion they are good but it is hard to look into the future. I am now well awair of your having got the offer and I believe it was at the time I saw my father and you and myself in close proximity to rush after you looking very fine indeed and dressed with all your honours on your breast. I awoak with great delight but afterwards got very heavey and gloomy. That is the purport of one dream. The other day when driving old Wilson the lawyer and M....hal the clergyman from here to poor Gussy [?] Carlyon's funeral Wilson got very communicative and told me you had the offer and from what you said to him you would except [accept] the honours baring the question of health etc etc. I said the Fiji could not be very unhealthy being all islands surrounded by the sea and sea breeze and a great portion of your work would be in the shade on a ship board going from island to island. Oh said he you have got it and he knows that then afterwards we will have him governor of New Zealand if he lives. That said he is the program. I believe that myself will be the case, in fact I have for shadowed New Zealand long ear this. Douglas is I hear keeping close at work in Napier. He was here 12 days ago and heard from him twice since that. I expect him up before he goes perhaps today. Thank God the day of the Transit of Venus brought a copious fall of rain and did thousands of £ of good all round made perishing vegetation look life again and also cheered the spirits of man and beast. I hope your health is continuing quite well and in as good spirits as when you left. I had a nice letter from McCathey in Canterbury inclosing lima beans, a very prolifict bean. The alfafa will have a good deal of seed on. The run has made it look beautiful. Kate is well. Yours forever Archibald John McLean