now and they are quite astonished at the alteration a s[h]ort time of female society and tact has made. I have got a brood of the English hens. They are beauties. I will not say any more about home only that we are busy putting up a good cattle s[t]ockyard and threshing the wheat. I got a man to do it for 9 per bushel. The cheapes[t] way it could be done. We will have over 100 bushels. We have a fine crop of potatoes. I am getting them taken up also plenty of all kind of vegetable of all kinds. We had a week of Fitzgerald and his wife and both my wife and sister were very glade when they went away. She said you told them?? to go to the station however they were treated with all manner of kindness. I see two letters for you to Alex by this mail with imidiate on them but I will not oppen them till he comes. I now must sincerely hope for your own interest and all our interests it was only for three weeks to see if the plans could be secured on some better footing than at preasant for they are renting Maorie land right and left. If you do care I hope you will bring little Douglas with you. Stewart