29 July 1876 Glenorchy My dear Donald I see by the papers that Sir George Grey continues to make a fool of himself and continually trying to do you all the harm he can. It shows his low groveling mean mind and in my oppinion all he can say cannot harm you and none of the old settelers will believe him as all his assertions are not founded on truth. I am pleased to hear that your health is keeping good and that you will doubtless come out with flying coulars with all they can say it is onley spite well knowing there is not one among them could do as you have done with the natives and hence their spite & mean spirit. I had a dream about you five nights or six nights ago different from any I have had on former occations and from its tenor I am certain there is to be some change with you but the change will I think be good as I consider the dream good but different from any I had about you at all other times. I am very sorry to say that on last Monday the 24th we had a very heavey flood. The back creeks were higher than ever I saw them and when I went down on Tuesday morning I found the breakwater was carryed away but found it held out till four pm, the water then was at its hight and it gave way but had it not been there and the back creek turned the stable would have gone and Campbell's whare as well. No one could cridit the excavation it made in the new channel. One thing the break water has done is to widen the channel for the stream and saved the bush below the new house. Had it not been there the river would have cut a channel down the gully below the new front and disfigured all that place. I was very much crestfallen to see it and Archy took it very much to heart. I see now that nothing can be done there onley to make a road at the best place as Smith's cutting is gone again and the most of the fence. The mountain streams now have three times the force of watter flowing into them owing to the hills being cleared of fern and so many sheep tracks that the rain fall comes down like so many streams to the rivers that they want more space. On shuch occations as far as I can see it is better not to tamper any more with it without going to the expence of pailing about 2 1/2 chains and drive them into the blue cllay to get a solid foundation but it is best to do no more till God willing you come up. All other work is getting on well and with much industry and care as far as I can see and the sheep never look better. It is to be hoped that the fall in wool will not last. It was only what I was expecting and looking for for sometime. I am pleased to say that Kate & I are well & trust this will find you allso. Yours ever affectionately Archibald John McLean