Wangarei 22nd. Oct./57. Sir, I take the liberty of again writing to you. We have had miserably wet weather since we came here, sleeping in the Tent almost as bad as when I went with you to Manawatu --- as wet anyway. I will stick on the survey until I hear from you or my uncle, to whom I have written --- I wish it had been my lot to have travelled with you, in place of surveying here. I must try to get up to Ahuriri again and settle down to farming again. The fact is that here we cannot save a penny --- just like keeping two seperate houses. But we trust in providence, and look for better times, I wish now, I had gone to Ahuriri, when you asked me --- perhaps it may not yet be too late? A line from you, would be highly valuable so me at present, if you could spare the time, I know it is expecting a great deal, that you should bother yourself writing to me, but I only plead the urgent circumstances of the case --- and the discomfort and poor health of my family, I have not seen them for more than 3 weeks, but had a note from my wife. She wished me to write to you and try to get to Ahuriri again. I have the honor to be Sir, Yours respectfully, Robert Donaldson. D. McLean Esq., Auckland.