30 Septr 1864 Glenorchy My dear Douglas Your Papa was up here the other day when your letter came to here which gave us all great joy at hearing of your safe and prosperous voyage home and to think you were so well looked after by the very worthy and Honorable Tollemache and Lady was a source of much comfort to me and your Aunt. We always think of you and poor Spring everytime we go to the river. We cannot forget you playing with him in the water and out of it. My dear boy you are now far away from us but for all that we always think of you and pray that God in his mercy will keep you in good health and strength till your return, a learned and polished young gentleman among us again then your old Uncle will be proud of his little Duggy the boy. I miss you very much when I go to Napier now, indeed we all miss you. Poor Papa was very dull after you left, your old Aunt was down when he came back from Wellington and she was saying he was very dull but he knew [crossed out] new you were in good hands and would be well cared for by the worthy protectors you were put in charge of. I will gave you a little news. I gave you a good deal in my former letter. Uncle Alick is now at Oliver's old place and putting it in fine order, fencing etc. It will soon be like Maraekakaho and I am getting Glenorchy to look a great deal better also. A good deal of English grass now grows all about and I have planted a great many trees. Strangs Grove has got about 1000 trees in it and the wallnuts grandpa sent me to plant for you are doing very well. Pa had a look at your mare and fole when he was up. They are doing well. Spring and Nero are doing well also and Boby is a fine little boy. He milks 10 cows a day now and very usfull. He says he is going to stay with me till you come back and then he is going home. We will soon have the shearing again and very busy. I told you in my last that Baker had left. He went to Napier and spent all his money. Very fo[o]lish. Aunt Annabella is keeping ho[u]se with Uncle Alick and Aunt Kate with Pa. Pa is building a nice cottage on the hill in the padock. It will soon be finished. I have no more news now to send you but trust that you will be very attentive to all the good advice you will receive from the Hon Tollemache and Lady and your teachers and learn fast so that you will be a credit to all your relations and friends who have great hopes in you. You know Pa will be so happy if his Duggy will be a cliver scholar and try to get a head of the other boys that was at school with you for you have had better advantages than the most of them now that you have gone to England to school. Good by my dear boy and may God in his mercy guide you is the prayer of your fond Uncle and Aunt. Archibald John McLean