wish to see you for your own sake, but I much fear from your not having said any about coming this way that we have little chance of seeing you at this time, I missed you by only a few days in Novr. last at Wellington, I lived during my stay with Mr. Strang, who's kindness I can never forget, he promised to pay us a visit during the summer but something always came in the way to prevent him, I promised to send one of my son's to Manwatu to meet him, and help him to cross the river's, and from what I hear he will make an attempt this summer. Dr. Robertson who is quartered here at present tells me your little boy was well when he heard last from Wellington. Your stock of horse's is fast on the increase, you have six head here and the maid is expected to foal in a short time, the old mare had a narrow escape soon after the earthquake John found her on her back in a small crack and unable to rise, she had been in this state for nearly ten days, she is recovered, but I do not think she is in foal this season. We had two marriage's on tuesday last of rather a singular kind, the Father and daughter married to the brother and sister, Mr. and Miss Powel