28 January 1869 Glenorchy My dear Donald Your note came to hand yesterday in reference to Neil Walker's a/c. You will recolect I made you out a full statement of how he stood as far as I knew in 1864 and gave it to you so that you must have it without you gave it to Alexr however I find everything correct in the old books up to April 17th 1864. The books that John Allanach was keeping will show what he had after that, of course you or Alexr will have the books. At all events Twigg ought to have them. I asked for them once or twice after Twigg came their but could not get them as they did not care that I should know anything that was going on. I can only say that in my oppinion Neil Walker would be well paid if one 1/4 of his a/c was kept off him and other I consider he would be well paid for he lived about the station & not only that but all his cattle running free as far as I know besides he got every help and a good deal of his tuckering from their. I was told after I left that he used to make himself very free with chains & about the place however that is passed. I can only say that I tried often to find out how he and Alexr stood but the one was as deep as the other and I could not come to the bottom of any of the agreements they had about anything. I often complained of the high rate of freight he was getting and the last year brought him down to £3.15 per ton which was even two much if his cattle and every other accomodation was free to him. I know he charged me to the highest peny on any a/c of carriage and dun[n]ed me to death till ge got it £32.10 which I had a great struggle to pay and I consider the only way to do with him would be as the settlement has been so long of being ratifyed is to arrange with him without any ill feeling if possible but at the same time I would just take 1/4 of his a/c and show him that a statement of which I will send you and you will then see how to do yourself. I was in the hope to have seen you before you went down. I am glade you are nearly square with Baldwin & Higgins. All I got for my trouble from out of £11 pounds was the half but I hope to get the rest soon. Statement of a/c as per book March 1862 Brought forward £157. 6. 6 1/4 For 10 days work @ hauling timber @ 35/- 17.10 47 bales wool ... gross 15233lb at £3.15 per ton 24. 5.10 1/2 £199. 2. 4 3/4 Received by good mutton & - as per book As I know up to Decr 3rd 1862 29.18. 8 1/4 169. 3. 8 1/2 A/c of carriage from Apl 1862 Till Apl 1864 as per a/c rendered 294. 0. 3 1/2 463. 4. 1 By cash acording to his A/c received from Kinross £10 order from me & £40 from your station a/c 50 413. 4. 1 one fourth of ballance 103. 6. 0 309.18. 1 Now I consider if he gets the balance he is well paid. That is all that I know of that he did. The work about the timber about the accomodation etc & timber and fencing I no nothing about. I hope you will keep your spirits up and get the run fenced in. Maney told me he would take sheep for the posts and I consider if so and he lands them at the plains for the price he said is the best thing could be done. Did you hint to Condie about planting the gardin at the yards with blue gums. I am glade of that and I will do all I can to forward them in that view. Any amount of rain in the back country where there is bush but not much down here. I had a few showers, The grass is coming well. Poor Annabella wants to be firm and kind to her and she will do alright. I read Lord Cochran's book and you ought to read it. It will show you what reward those that try to do their best for the country get while in life, indeed you ought to read and it will oppen your eyes to many things in your own life. Yours always Archibald John McLean