19 July 1868 Glenorchy My dear Donald I was glade to hear that you arrived safe in Wellington and I hope poor Alex is recovered and able to take care of himself. From what I hear you will soon be back here again as the people of Napier are in a very excitable state owing to the East Coast news and your dream is well read now. I can only tell you that you must be very careful how you go among the natives as you well know the How How party have no mercy and you ought to know very well their feelings towards you. I warn you as I have had very strange dreams since you left about you, so strange that I could not let this mail go without warning you altho I am certiain if duty calls you my warning will have very little effect, however I will not say any more but take care. I am very glade Condie has come here for I see he is the very man to do justice and keep things correct and people at their post. I will gave him all the information I can to forward his views & he is going to try the grass sowing machine in a few days. I saw him yesterday and he said that he would have to get some seed oats here. I mentioned that you said you would likely get some from Canterbury but he is of oppinion they will be to late so therefore no doubt he will write you himself and if he gets them here it will be no use to get them their. I hope you and Williams come to some proper understanding before you left. I called over at Orrs to get some potatoes for myself the next day and Miss Ogelvey [Ogilvie] was in a great way and so was Mrs Orr about some cattle, 20 head that they said Alexr told them could run on that place at the rate of £1 each a year, and they said on the strength of that they bought them & put them their but they said that Mr Williams had called their and told them that they would have to pay at the rate of 1/ per week or £2.12 each a year and that Williams also said that Alex told him he never made such a bargain. I did not no what to say but told Miss Ogelvey that if my brother did say so no doubt but he would stand to it but that I had nothing to do in the case but was very sorry any misunderstanding should take place and no doubt when Alexr came back he would correct matters. That sort of work will not do if people want to keep there name as it always has been. Williams might have said he would see Alexr about it not to make a lier of one that was trying to do so much for him. I would not like Miss Ogelvey or any other to think that any undue advantage would be taken of her on your account as she might say things in other circles that would not sound well. So get Alex to write them if such was the arrangement and let him stick to it as it appears they have witness enough to prove he did say so. I have taken the youngest of the McLean lads and he certainly for a new comer does first rate. I never had any one here that did anything as well at the first. I need not say any more only I trust you will write how you are getting on and if there is any likelyhood of much disturbance with the natives please tell all. We are quite well and believe Your affectionate brother Archibald John McLean