27 April 1862 Havelock My dear Donald I was so sorry I could not get to see you this morning to speak to you regarding matters at Napier respecting the cow case etc. I was very much grieved at the way poor Alex conducted himself there. He got very bad with drink and I got him away to Blair's house on Thursday night to be out of the way for I was afraid it might come to the notice of his Excellency which would be dreadful. He went on in a very foolish way. I do not no what to make of him. I spoke to him in the kindest manner possible and slept with him the first night and talked to him in the most friendly way about his folly but next day he got nearly as bad as ever. I find he has not passed home as yet and I fear he is doing no good. Mr Fitzgerald promised me to go to him on Saturday morning and try to send him home. I do not know how the cow case will turn out. I think it will be gained after all the evidence and my book proved the time the beast was branded. I am sorry it should be on at this time. You will here all about it from Curling. I never was so put out about any thing as I was this time when he had to attend court to behave so bad. I do hope you will gave him a reprimand after a while for he is afraid of you. I told him I would go home in the wool vessel to see if that would have any effect but no he had hold of that old fellow Hunter and kept talking all kind of nonsense to him wanting him up to the station etc. I supose if he does not come home tommorrow I will have to go down for John and his wife if I can. I find that Mr Ferard passed today down with Blutchers. The Hapuku has gone dow[n]. I do hope you may get down tommorrow in safety. I was so sorry you left home just at the time you did as we could have put all the books to right the time of the rain. There will be very little pleasure for John and his wife this time of the year the country being in such a state. Do you believe that I was half inclined to take charge of the wool ship and I would have done so if I thought things would go on well at your station. My notion was to be at home the same time as you and I thought you might be sending out sheep and other things and that a vessel might be chartered that would pay us both. In that way you perhaps may think this a foolish idair of mine. I will show you my plans when we meet. I hear that McNeil and Whitmore are going to import Cheviots so that I might through you get them to take out with some for you than leave the vessel after coming out again. I am very anxious to do something better than the way I am and if Henton has not taken the ship perhaps you might see through my plans and assist me in them. I would do anything to be clear of the annoyance I have to put up with with the state of things at preasant and if you find that Henton has not taken the ship they told me they were going to advertise for one to take her home, but I never mentioned about my going. It is on the route down today. I was turning the matter over in my mind. I was asked if I would like to take her but I gave no incouragement at all. I hope you will not be anoyed at this idair of mine till you see me and I fully explain it. Your affectionate brother Archibald John McLean