18 December 1874 Glenorchy My dear Donald I have much pleasure in writing you that the rains we have had the last two days have done unspeakable good to the country. Douglas and I was up through the Wakiperou Hill yesterday and they are looking splendid. In many places they could be mowen altho the grass & hay crop was a failure in the earley part of the year it is making up for it now. Condie was finished shearing on 16th all but the straglars and had a fine crop of wool. We hear you are at the Thames and likely to oppen that country. That will be a great boon to the digging population and Auckland. Of course you will know that Smith is going to