Catherine and I feel much obliged to you for the large addition you have made our library. Books are invaluable especially in a place like this where they are not to be had. Alexr has been busy since his return from Auckland inspecting the stock branding & other things. He says the cattle are all in prime condition indeed they cannot fail the grass is so abundant. They intend to commence sheep shearing next week if the weather looks at all settled. Archy is very busy fencing. He has nearly finished half a mile with the assistance of the two boys that came from Auckland. Mr & Mrs Kinross from Napier were here last week for a few days. She is one of Mrs Park's daughters at Wellington. Mr Strang wished me to invite her to come. He said she felt lonely at Napier among strangers. She is very young & seeminly rather inexperienced but I think very amiable. They appeared much pleased with their visit. Catherine and I are very close housekeepers. We are not the least likely to become very intimate with any of the ladies in this neighbourhood but we are very happy together