is a very promising young man. He is tailing the Otago flock on Tuke's plains as we call the big flat. Catherine is really a good girl and a most deserving one. She is the one that would make a good settler's wife and not the tipeny hasey ones I have seen in this country. How would one of your friends, the Canterbury McLeans, answer. I will not say any more. Hoping to see you soon. I remain your affectionate brother Archibald John McLean Sunday 30th 1861 PS. After closing this Alex returned and says they had a fair trip. He says they were seven ten days going down. They landed the sheep at Moerakai [crossed out] Lyttelton without much loss. The horses was landed in good order. They called at Canterbury on there return. [crossed out] Excuse this mistake for I would not have room only for the inclosed [Note on transcription: twopenny halfpenny = low person]