15 June 1868 Glenorchy My dear Donald As Iasdale is passing through with cattle I send you by him some good blue gum seed and if you get it sowen in a corner of the gardin and cover it from the frost you will have plenty of good plants to transplant out any time when it rains. I am going to sow a large quantity here this year. I hope you are getting on well with the Councel and things going smo[o]th. We heard the guns yesterday. I supose it is the Governor so that you will have some stir in Napier. I want to see you some time before you go to Wellington so as to have a talk respecting what is best to do. I am making out a estimate of timber to build a small house and get it cut in the winter as the timber is so much better to have the winter to season and then commence to build in the spring and try and fence some more land in and get grass into it. I was glade to here you had no trouble with Baker. I am pleased he is settled finally with as it will stop the fellow from talking. I see Alex has had a letter from George McLean speaking of coming out here and wanting help. It would only be folly to incourage a man like him at his age to come here. His sons have the wourld before them and they could try and do for their parents. There is few I would sooner assist than him if I had it in my power but I would not advise him to come here. I wrote to him some time ago advising him thoroughly against it at his age and with so large a family as he has got without and money. I supose Alex saw you when down. He told me he was going to see you about but I have not seen him since. Your affectionate brother Archibald John McLean