30 January 1859 Maraekakaho My dear Donald I received your two kind letters you wrote before going to the Bay of Islands. I wrote you a letter from here a few days before I got them with all the intelligence I then could give. We were done with the shearing on the 13 inst. and had in all 37 bales of wool. Being washed it does not weigh so heavey as I thought it would so Alexander says but from the price of wool it ought to bring about £900. Alex is so misterious that he will not tell me things without I find them out myself and always gets offended when I commence to remonstrate about expences and accounts. I think that he ought to tell me every farthing that is expended and how so as to keep a proper account so that you would know how matters stands I have tried all ways with him to get him to do so that but to no use. Besides I tell him that you must realise a good sum this year to purchase land and improve the place. He said that would be done. He is no doubt a very good and none better ammong stock but why not let me keep the books and let me know how the money is used so that it might be a check against any unnecessary expences things done in such a lose way and in a sort of a hidden way I do not like he ought to be glade to consult with me on all matters well knowing the interest I have in them and in himself but no. If he had any reason to conceal any thing from me I would not be so surprised but knowing that my constant studdy is to do all the good I can for all my relations.