seed from Mr Smith which I have sowen but it smells rather fusty but perhaps it will come if so I will have plenty of that kind if the Auckland plants will fail. After all my trouble I will be very much disapointed but I have no faith in plants after a long voyage of that kind. They were about 30 days before they were all planted. Alex was layed up for the first week unwell and he has been away for the last eight days. Mr Alex was up here and he went down with him. Catherine went with him but word came up to me that Nearn was trying to take the plains from us and I went down and got Alex to come with us to the pa at Mona Nue's place where the natives were all colected at his funeral. That was last Wednesday. They told us then no one ealse would get their plains as long as we would gave the same rent as others. Alex has not returned yet & I no not what is keeping him. The natives promised to be here today to make some arangements but they have not come but I hope they will be tommorrow and the mail leaving today, I mearly write this to keep you posted up. Catherine and he came home last Thursday. She is looking very well and realey she is a good girl. The two of them get on remarkable well together. Alex said he was going up to Auckland by the first vessel and I hope he will be able to gave you satisfaction. The sheep