Jany 10th 1859 Maraekakaho My dear Donald I supose you will be longing to hear from me with tideings as to how matters are getting on here. The sheep were beautifully washed with but very little trouble and they would have been all shorn by the time but we have had dreadful weather with rain and obliged to send part of the shearers away home twice. I intended delaying writing till we were finished but as I know you will be anxious to hear how things are going on I do not wait as the weather may continue this way some time. There is 1600 shorn and 18 well packed bales got of them two of the bales lamb wool. I superintended the shearing and packing myself and McInnis with a Maori occasionally. From what they tell me there is about 2000 more to shear mostley all ewes and will make about the same amount. I am also keeping a correct account of the sheep as they are shorn so as to know how things are and how the sheep are. Dommett sent 800 breeding ewes to his run the other day which will render that place usless to any one now. It is from what I can see a pity Alex ever troubled with it or shuch a party without a thorough agreement on the spot. I earnestly request of him to get paid