28 July 1860 Maraekakaho My dear Donald It is now a long time since I heard from you and since I wrote to you. I was very much grieved and vexed at myself not having seen you when at the port after staying for the express purpose of seeing you and dear little Douglas. I left Munn's early in the morning on Sunday and was told that the Victoria had started for Auckland by a man that met me on my way towards the Spit. I was so chest fallen that I took the road for home and never thought after seeing the steamer under weigh but she had proceeded as I was completely out of sight of her. When she got round the island and having made no further inquiry home I came. I can assure you when I heard you had stayed two days after that I felt dreadfully annoyed at my own credulity. I was glad to hear from Alex that you were looking well and that Douglas was quite manly. I should have been so pleased to have seen him and I had a great deal to say to myself but I hope and trust I will soon have the pleasure of seeing you after you will get clear of all the arduous duty you have now to perform owing to the state of affairs in the country. I wish to God you were only living among us here and then I would have some comfort of my life. I well know you would see things in their proper state and see what could be done by providence in the way of improvements. I have gaving over saying any thing now to any one about the place when Alex is at home or away for it appears he does not like to be interfeared with and for the sake of piece I hold my tongue and he never will gave me half of the accounts or tell me about any thing that takes him two often away and some times stay to long