Portobello August 18th 1850 My dear Susan Your kind note of the 25th July reached me on the 16th of August. Like me you see it has made a lazy passage. I hasten to reply as the 'Mariner' is to sail for Wellington in a few days. In reply to your question as to how I like Otago. You must understand that it is nothing more than a few scattered houses & a lighthouse just within the Heads. It was once the port but that is now removed to Port Chalmers. As for Port Chalmers it boasts of a small wooden building called the Customhouse, a few merchant's houses & hiki shops. Dunedin itself I have not seen but if report speaks true it must be a delightful place to dwell in. Every family's tongue being against its neighbour. Mr Shand speaks highly