4 January 1860 Maraekakaho My dear Donald As the post came up here yesterday I could not let him go without writing you a few lines altho I wrote you only a few days back but it appears all the letters hitherto have been going astray. Alex got a letter from you today and I was glad to find you are improving and getting stronger every day. I hope your trip to Canterbury will tend to put you in good spirits and get you round to your former health. We are very busy shearing and have