18 October 1857 Peteni My dear brother As the Auckland mail goes past hear tomorow I take the oportunity of writing you a few lines in case you may receive them before Munn leaves Auckland. I have tried the natives in every place to buy a few potatoes for seed at Mariakako but not being alble to find aney I should wish you would send me 12 or 14 but as they are not to be got hear. I should like to plant them in December as it appears to be the best month in In Ahuriri. It will be a great loss if I do not plant as potatoes is the best crop we could have in the ground this year. I have not got the wheat from the natives and I am afraid I cannot get it but I have bought 100 bushells for 5/6 from a man from Wairoa. I am on my way down from Titiocura to Mariakako. All is well and a good lambing this year. I am bringing home the bulocks to draw the timber out of the bush [Fragment. Last page cut off]