15 March 1866 Glenorchy My dear Donald In answer to your letter regarding my having a dog to drive your sheep about I must certainly say whoever was the bearer of such evil disposed lies had very little to do. I certainly did buy a dog last year for my cattle and because he was quite and would not injure any sheep and gave the other one I had away as I was afraid being young he would injure sheep. If they were to bring you tiding of the numerous pups they have brecking [breaking] in as a tread at your station and selling them when brocken on your sheep certainly they would be doing you some justice. Who ever was the bearer of shuch news was trying to get some favours of you and you ought to be awair of him. I have often spoak to McKenzie about having such rash [?] dogs and in fact it ended in him sending two of them away. He has been breaking in ...cks ever since here and never had a very good one but did want to buy this old one I have but would not gave the price for him to the former owner, in fact they have all among them made a trade of training dogs and selling them. It is not very likely I would injure sheep. I had so much interest to see doing well. Of course I often when they come below the padock drive them away a little way which is nothing but right or my cattle would not have a bight [bite] and some of the sheepheards I must tell you do not keep the sheep to the feed as it is two much trouble. However I need not tell you this as it may be possible you may think they know better. Of course I have gaven up interfearing in any way with the sheep but still I have my eyes about me altho I do not now communicate matters to you as formerly as I came to the conclution it would only create disturbance and you having so much ealse on your mind it would be unwise for any one that had so much interest in you to disturbe it in any way. As to the number of sheep I have taken up to Jany I gave Twigg an account of them. 31 that is for house use 24 and to George Watters 7. Since that the sheepheard has been keeping an account of them at my own request so much was I afraid of missing any and next month I will gave you payment for them. The number up to now is 27 for road party and house. The lad Petter McLean that has been stoping with me since McDugald took the warie from them takes the sheep in once a week and we take three cut so you see how that is. I considered that I ought to have three year old wether now among the flock to cover all that but if you require payment for them I will settle by the end of next month and I would like to have an understanding how we stand for last year and this. Your illness last year prevented us having any settlement about interest. I gave you an a/c of £50 that I had paid out in different ways but that was all. You never said what you were going to allow for wool money last year and it will be better to have matters properly arranged as I would either borrow the money by bill and pay you your interest yearly than have any unpleasantness about it. You know very well it has cost me a good deal in improvements the last two years in wages and stores and by dairying I have managed to pay my way with a great struggle. I do hope you will try and pay us a visit and then we will be able to square up for at Napier you are always to busy to do anything but gov. Of course all will go well with election. I have a vote for Hamden now. Always your affectionate brother Archibald John McLean