26 August 1859 Maraekakaho My dear Donald I am pleased to state I have got all the news from Auckland and the gardin seeds. Mr Hay wrote me saying it was rather late for the trees but I have planted them with great care and I hope they will all live. I am busy now putting in the gardin seeds and will in a few days finish that. I have planted some potatoes ten days ago and they are making their appearance already. The grass seed that I sowed on the hills is coming up well in the several places and so is the first grass that was sown down here and last year's grass begins to look nice and green. I must see you before you go for a night for I find the sooner I will go up the hill if I have to go the better to make a place their. This place has got a good gardin now if it will be taken care of it will not be better in the districk. They are getting on but very slow with the bullocks owing to not having a padock the half of the time is lost finding them and some days they are lost altogether. I feel it hard to have to complain but I find it is better to always tell you the true state of things as you naturally expect to know all that is going on here. I strive all I can to push forward the work by example and economy of time but I will not any longer strive as I get the worst of abuse from Alex calling me a mean wrech and every name yesterday because I told Gascoyne after he let the bullocks go at 3 pm to go over the hill and catch a pig. He oppened out on me when he came home. He was out riding with Marshall and told Gascoyne never to do anything I told him but to do as he liked. I cannot make him out. He seems to think I am in his way and I am sure and certain was he for a moment to consider the wish I have to do good for him as well as myself he would change his ways but if you would allow me a horse so that I could go round the run when I could spare time and say nothing to any one but see if the sheep are clear of dogs and pigs. I am certain it would be to the advantage of your flock. I am determined now to go to the bush, their commence improving as hard as I can but I would be the better having a horse to come down on Saturday to see how things are doing here then after I will leave here you will find I will be missed, bad as I am. At all events I will work as long as I can with heart and good will for my own benefit and all my friends and if God spares you to come here next year you will find I was not idle. I find my only plan is to plot away myself and have time to do as he likes so they can idle there time or work. Those that will work will show their deeds after them. I would like to inclose this year 10 acres for cultivation up at the bush and have it turned up ready for crop next year and a gardin made so as to take up the best of the trees from here and as they are sawing timber in the bush for a house 30 feet by 15 I think we ought to get a stance at once and employ all spare time getting it up. I send you Mr Hay's bill so that you can settle it. Any horse that I may get will be properly cared for I find the only way is to begin a thing and constant work will soon bring it to a close. This little place will be a few years look like a forest. I will always devote some part of the year to keeping this place in order for I feel leaving it after all my work round it but we should not put our minds in the things of the world but consider in the world to come. Perhaps you may take a ride up before you leave for Wellington. Always your affectionate brother Archibald John McLean