[undated letter fragment] at all manage it with Alex and see for yourself the great fault I find in Alex sistem is that he is never at home and when at home never does any thing, would just like to go about idle all his time. What heart is their for me to be toiling and keeping all the small things together if the manager will not take an interest and assist about the place. Of course the men get into the same habit and the work goes to the wall. I never could understand how a place can go on when the manager is always away and when at home lays in bed till 10 in the morning. It is a source of great grief to me. Of course I never say any thing to him about it. Now I let him do as he please. It is well for people if they can afford to live idle on other people's means. If he could be brought to stay at home and look after the stock and save a man's wages in place going always about the country it would soon be a changed place when people would work mutually together for one grand end. Idleness is the road to ruin. I prepair you now to be cautious in your way of dealing with Alex for you well know my only interest is all in one object that is the good of all our father's family. I have had my faults but misfortune was always following me or I should not be here now but perhaps you will find before many years goes about that it is well I have come to live at your station for a time. False people will be found out in time and from what has come to my own ears I have been sadly abused and falsly represented on two occations, however I will leave those matters till we meet. Hoping you will get matters properly arranged and keep to your word in not allowing any thing to be sold of the station without your authority or every pen[n]y accounted for and that will tend to keep people in their place. You may think this hard but I cannot help giving you all caution. Brothers like other people ought to to keep busness matters secret. If they were dealing honestly their would be no cause for any privacy and I grieve to have to write this but so is the cause. Walker's account I would insist on being settled in bullocks and other things he had. It does not do to let matters run on from year to year. All wise people settle once a year. I found in one of the accounts from Smith charged to this station the amount of £7 odd that Mr Smith had. I chequed it and asked how it came their when Smith was here. Alex produced the account. It is only a small matter but I do not like that other people should be getting things and charged in your a/c. It gaves trouble and leads to no good. I wish I was with you when settling up. I hope care will be taken of the book. If I had time to copy it I would not let it go. The men here cannot be settled with if it is lost. Yours affectionately Archibald John McLean