Calpe Cottage New Plymouth 1st. November 1870. My dear Son, Your welcome note of the 26th. ult. was handed to me by our mutual friend O. Carrington, and I must own, I was sorry that you were too late for the Bank as it makes me too late for the mail on the 4th. and obliges me to make excuses for the non-remittance of the cash to the House of Business in London. We are all sorry that you are not coming this way as we had hoped - your Room was all ready - and I am sorry you are not occupying it. I had a shake of the hand from Douglas on his way to Wellington. I wish he could make a longer stay with us on his return to Auckland. Patricio begs to be kindly remembered to you, and will be delighted to hear from you when you can make it convenient to write to him. Were you not surprised to hear of Sir George Grey's arrival in New Zealand? He gives a very interesting account of the San Francisco route - one can hardly believe that he was only seventeen days coming from London to San Francisco. I hope he will be able to persuade them to have steamers on the Pacific with equal power of those on the Atlantic, so that the whole voyage may be made in thirty seven day. I wonder if he intends to remain in the Colony. Sir George Bowen merely landed on his way to Auckland little has been seen of him. You do not tell me whether you like the wine, I hope it will turn out as good as the wine generally does when sent out by the House of Harris's(?) Nephews. With kind regards to Douglas and good Mrs. Strang, and the same to your good sisters, believe me as ever, your attached old Mother, H.A. Wilson.