Auckland 27 April [18]47 Dear McLean It will I presume surprise you to receive a letter from me, so long silent but though I never write I often enquired for you and it gave Mrs Hill, I and family pleasure to hear of your getting on so well. You are of course aware that we left for Sydney when we expected a general outbrake and attack on Auckland and remained one year in Sydney. My children could all get on there but there was no open for me and I did not like to divide my family as I intended returning in peace having brought under the preemption system 400 acres of land beyond Epsom how that may end we cannot at present tell under Govr Grey's administration