Ma chere frere It seems years instead of weeks since you left Wellington, at least it is so for me. Sir George Bowen called yesterday. Kate says he looks well. Do not like the turn elections are taking here. The issue is not yet known. The Hunter & Pearce party have not been sufficiently earnest. The ministers here are drones. Never near their word in anything. Mr Fox should be here just now. The election for this place is so important. Am afraid the weight of affairs is too much for one. Where you are there is so much to attend to beyond the defence which is magnitude itself. But blessings crown your efforts intricate though they are. Mr Tolemache lunched here and enjoyed it so much the following day we lunched with him. There is no news but what you see in the papers. Douglas has written me once since you went up. Hope he will write soon again. Am yours in haste Annabella McLean Wellington 3rd Feby 1871