6th seed potatoes. Went of yesterday but the river has got so flooded I fear he may be detained a day or two longer than he expected. We planted last week with the plow all the seed we had about 3/4 of an acre. I am delighted to hear you are going to alter your way of living and that Jessy is going to take up a house of her own. It is fearful to be living in lodgings and my dear brother if you can, if you think of staying long in the government service, I would build a house for myself on your own ground there in Auckland, as feeding other people's walls is expensive and if John could make out to build a house on your ground it would be in the family and save the £60 per annum rent besides improve the ground. I have got so much taken up with the good of having land improved that I would strain all my nerves to accomplish it. I hope you will excuse me for being