9 April 1875 Glenorchy My dear Donald I am in receipt of yours of Good Friday and was very glade to hear from you and that you are well. Kate left Napier this day eight days for Wellington as Mr Hart was unwell but I hear he is better. We are having a very dry autum. The country is very much burned up and if we do not get rain before the frost sets in feed will be very bare. I never saw the Maraekakaho so short of feed and bare. Still the flock are looking well so far. I have been sowing grass since Jany and the want of rain has not allowed it to germinate as yet. I note all you say about trees and grass and if I get the seed I will do my best to rise it. I have a fine plot sowen of the alphalfa from the seed of the little plot. I have also sowen a good deal of rat tail dog tail & rib grass about the hills in pig rootings that will soon make a little show. I heard from Douglas a few days ago. He is quite well and so is Annabella. Condie sold all the Herefords to Whitmore's manager yesterday. I hope for a good prices as they were very fine animals. I would like to see you when you come to Napier for a few minuts to see what you think about the vilage or township at Maraekakaho. I am certain if it was surveyed out it would sell or lease very readily and bring labour near and do a great deal of good. That spit does not pay interest for the money it cost. A township with a comonage fenced in on leace to bulock drivers etc would be a great boon to the place and keep them from eating up the river bed besides other advantages in the consumsion of mutton etc. Several are lingering about it. I think it is not a bit two soon, besides I want to have a proper understanding about this church. I hold out that is to be for all denominations but it appears our neighbour who has taken great pains with the bazar etc wants it a Free kirk [crossed out] Presbyterian kirk but Condie and all the others about here do not tolerate that one sided way etc. I do not know who would be in a free country. I got Vogel's able explanation in the Wellington Times that Mr Hart sent me. I am shure it will please you altho he speaks but little of you what he does say is good and to the point. He fairley floors Mr Fellows. I am sorry to say that Napier is very unhealthy this season. A very bad fever going about and a great many deaths. Willie Cooper's eldest daughter died of it on 7 inst. Moor's wife poor thing she having 2 boys. She was up here a few weeks ago quite happy and strong. You will have heard of the mortallity in the Fijies. How pleased and thankful I am to Providence you did not go their. Yours ever Archibald John McLean