16 November 1860 Maraekakaho My dear Donald It is now some time since I wrote you and I mentioned in my last I would write again after docking. We docked two days ago but we have not such a good lambing as was expected. It would have been a capital lambing but when the ewes was in the thickest time lambing down their was very wett and cold weather and hundreds of them died. There is 1200 lambs this time making in all 2100 this season which gaves a percentage of 60. We are now very busy preparing for shearing. We are going to wash the dry ewes and weathers tommorrow if all goes well. I was in great hopes you would be down here at shearing time this year but I now fear you well not come at all. I do sincerely hope you will try and come down for a week or two if possible for I am very anxious to see you. I expected to here from you but I have been disapointed however it cannot be helped. I was placed in dreadful distress 10 days back bye fearful report that was circulated here to the effect that you had been killed by the Maories. Alex was at the port at the time. I dreaded his coming home fearing the report was