Letters from John and Elizabeth Runciman in New Zealand to Elizabeth's parents, Jacob and Mary Mitchell, in Scotland

Kingston Hall, July 9, 1863 Dear Father and Mother: It was with great pleasure we received your letter of April 24 as we were wanting very much to hear from you. We were very happy to learn that you were all in good health. We received also one from Brother John same mail.

We hope you will have by this time received the news of our marriage which no doubt would surprise all of you. We have enjoyed the married life now 3 months and I am only sorry that my dear Elizabeth had not been mine long before as we are exceedingly happy. She likes this country very much as also her new home. We both rode in to town on horseback about a week ago as it was a holiday in commemoration of the marriage of the Prince of Wales; Dunedin was very gay indeed and as the day was most beautiful we enjoyed ourselves very much. Elizabeth is such a good rider now I can scarcely keep up sides with her.

We have had a splendid winter. It has been very dry. So much so that we can scarcely plough our stubble land. The wet is not above an inch into the ground although this is the last month of winter. I hope you are all enjoying such good weather. Since last I wrote you we have leased our mile at a yearly rent of £600 pounds.(check figure) We have leased it for seven years. We are going to take it easy now as I think we have worked long enough now. My brother who was living at the mile is now coming to live at the farm as my father is getting old now and not able to do much.

There was a melancholy accident occurred in our harbour the other day. It was a collision between two of the little steamers plying in the harbour causing the deaths of twelve persons, amongst whom was a minister, his wife and five of a family. They were all in the cabin when the vessel sunk. They had only arrived the day before from London. It has cast a great gloom over the place. They are to be buried today. All the shops in town are to be shut.

The gold diggings are still being carried on although the amount of gold that is being got is rather decreased the ....... being about 10,000 ounces. Still that is a good amount of money to be got in a week being about £30,000 pounds. There is a goldfield within 4 miles of us although it is not being worked to a great extent yet. They are I believe making good wages. I expect gold will be found over the whole of Province soon.

Trade of all kinds is good here at present and will I have no doubt get brisker as the spring set in. Joiners wages are £4 per week and Masons are £3. John was talking in his letter to us of coming out. I have no doubt he would do well here although I should not like to persuade anyone to come in case they might be disappointed as some have been who came out with too high expectations. But there is no fears of a man succeeding here who is inclined to work. We had all of us to work very hard for some time but we are now reaping this reward of our labours as we are now independent of anyone. We have our own farm little estate which will keep us comfortable for life. I know numbers of men who came out to this Colony about the same time as us who landed with only one half crown who is now worth hundreds of pounds besides farms of their own. There is a liberty and independence here which cannot be attained in old Scotland. I think it a great pity to see so many young men and women spending the best of their days in the Old Country for a mere nothing while if they had the spirit to come out here might soon gain for themselves an independence here as there is plenty of room for thousands here yet. There being plenty of land for sale in the interior or the Country the upset price is one pound per acre. You go and apply for at the government office. The application lies for one month; if there is no application lodged for the same land on the same day by any other party you get it at this upset price. If there is, it is put up by Auction. We got a quantity of ours at 10/- but it is risen to £1 now. Even at that price it is very cheap when it is one's own. The land in its natural state is generally covered with flax ferns or (toot) the latter plant, the berries of which are very poisonous when eaten by people or cattle. Our land was covered with flax and fern which we had to cut up and burn before it was ready for the plough. It is then broken up, lays all summer, crossed ploughed in winter and .... up and sown in the spring.

April 15, 1864 (check date) Dear Father and Mother: We were duly favoured with your affectionate and ever welcome letter and was sorry to hear of the accident that had occurred to you but we sincerely hope that by this time you have entirely recovered again and nothing the worse of it.

We were pleased to hear that the rest of you are all well as it leaves us all here at present. Elizabeth has now got quite strong again. She had a gathering in one of her breasts from cold. She suffered very much before it broke and I am sorry to say she has lost the use of it, but what a darling boy our son is. He is growing remarkably and a perfect beauty. He is admired by everyone who sees him. He is a Mitchell all over and my dear Elizabeth says he is Willie's very image. He is now 11 weeks old and knows us both quite well now. I am sure Dear Mother you would like to have a sight of him. We shall send his likeness as soon as he is a little older. We were glad you received ours all right.

We had a visit from Mr. James Smith that is John's brother in law. He came out in the steamer Scotia. We were exceedingly glad to see him. He seems a very nice man indeed. He is going to sail between Melbourne and here. He is going to send for his wife. He says he is greatly improved in health since leaving home.

We have now got harvest all over and a very fair crop. I have got my engine home and been thrashing with it. It is going to answer very well. I am going to chaff all my straw for the horses. It feed them much better and they are very fond of it among their corn. I bought the cutter along with the engine. I am going out to thrash next week with the engine and my ............ as they are both portable. We charge £3 per day of 8 hours and the employer supplies all hands. I shall have about one month's thrashing if the weather keeps fine, as it is at present most beautiful - not a cloud to be seen in all the firmament - better I expect than you will be enjoying at present. I am going to set the plough on as soon as we get a little mare. I have a fine young horse rising 3 years I am going to break in to the plough. I wish dear Father you had only been out here to have helped me with him. I think you and I would get fine on together here. Trades of all kind is very brisk here at present especially mason and carpenter as there are some very large buildings going up in town. Amongst them is the one for the Great Exhibition of 1865 which is to be held here not so far from Otago.

Kingston Hall, June 13, 1864 Dear Father and Mother: I now take up the pen again to write you a few lines as I have no doubt you will be wanting to hear from us. And I am happy that we are all in the enjoyment of that great blessing, health, and for which we do feel thankful to him who bestows such infinite blessings upon us. Our dear boy is growing most extraordinary. He is now nearly 5 months old and a finer son could not be. He is such a good tempered little fellow. He has always the innocent smile on his face. He knows us both so well now. Elizabeth says he has a great resemblance to little William. In fact he is a Mitchell all over. What a blessed thing it is to have such a dear son given us to bring up. We trust that the Lord will watch over him and that his name may be written in the Lambs Book of Life. We are both of us very much (...) on him. I often think that you, dear mother, would like to see him. He has had a great many presents given him.

We have now got through about the half of winter and the weather has been very dry, so much so that we can scarcely get ploughing. The ground is very dry. I have been unfortunate lately in losing one of my best horses. He died of inflammation of the kidneys and was only 6 hours bad. We did everything for him we could but of no avail. The veterinary had just given him a little medicine when he dropped down. Fortunately I had another ready to break in. We have him going in the plough and he is doing splendid, as quiet as a lamb. The one that died cost me £70. I have a fine filley 2 years old and a colt 1 year old. Our cows are doing very well with us this year. We have (...) milking yet they are realising us at present £30 per month from milk so you will see that dairy farming pays well here. We get (..) per gallon. I have been thrashing some of my crop and the oats and hiring out my (...) but our prices are rather low at present. I do not intend to sell yet. They are 4/ per bushel. But they will be higher in the spring. Wheat is in great demand at present and is fetching 10/- per bushel. Flour is selling at £34 per ton. 4 lb loaf 1/3. This is owing to the scarcity of wheat in this Province and the high price in Australia but as there is a good amount being put in this year, I expect it will be lower next year.

The gold diggings are just going on as usual. There was a great rush to one of the other provinces but they have not turned out well and a great many have returned disappointed. There is great improvement being made in Dunedin. It is now becoming a fine city. We are going to have an Exhibition here in 1865. The building is now up. It is built of brick.

I think, dear father, you might do worse than take a trip out to see it but I hope when you do come it will be for good. Dear father and mother, we received a letter last mail from Brother John and Hugh stating the time when they were to sail for their adopted land. We earnestly hope that they will have a good passage across the mighty ocean. We are now looking eagerly for them to give them a hearty welcome. We shall go down to the ship to meet them as soon as we hear of her arrival. She is now due if she comes in the time that she was advertised to come in. I am sure it will be a happy meeting if they are all safe which I am not afraid of. My father is very desirous that we should come over and live with him as he is all alone and his house is much larger so that we will have abundance of accommodation for to make them all comfortable as our own house will be empty. I have a fat heifer I intend killing as soon as they arrive.

I intend clearing about an acre of bush land this spring for early potatoes, as they pay very well when they are early in to the market. One of our neighbours sold some when about (...) tons and got £20 per ton for them and off a very small portion of bush land. We have had an excellent crop of lates in the bush this year and all free from disease. I was just thinking it would not be a bad move when my new friends arrive to let them have a trial at bush felling for a while. I think Brother John and I could saw down a large Totara tree fine. Some of them are 3 feet in diameter on a (...) broad leaf. However, I shall do all in my power for to assist them when they arrive.

By the by, we had a visit of Mr. James Smith, John's wife Brother, who came out on the steamer Scotia. We were very proud to see him and I form a very high opinion of him. He is sailing between Melbourne and this port. He is much improved in health since he left home. Elizabeth and little Richard and I went down in the gig to the Port to see him as he had brought a fine Cockatoo bird from Melbourne for me. He is turned a fine speaker since I got him. He says Pretty Cockatoo, Pretty Richard and Pretty Elizabeth distinctly. I also got a canary from the first Engineer. He is a splendid singer. We had dinner on board with them and came home about dark having enjoyed our excursion very much. I am sorry to say the Scotia was wrecked about a week ago coming from Melbourne. She struck on a rock about 150 miles from here and filled in two or three minutes. All lives were saved. James Smith was at the Engines at the time. She is still lying on the rock and they expect to get her off again in a few days if the weather permit. We have not seen James since it happened as he has not come up yet.

My sister who was married after us has got a son about a month ago and both are doing very well. We have got a minister of our own, a Mr. Wate. He was ordained a fortnight ago. There was a fine soiree at night. Elizabeth and Baby and I were there and enjoyed ourselves very much. My sister son was baptised by him on his first day preaching and was named after him. He seems a fine man and I believe will make a good minister of Christ.

But dear father and mother, I must now draw to a close as I have to write to Brother George. And, my dearly beloved father and mother, accept of our kindest love to you all and give the same to all our brothers and sisters. Hoping to hear from you an an early day. We remain your true and affection son and daughter. J. & E. Runciman.

Kingston Hall September 14, 1864 Dear Father and Mother: We received your kind and affectionate letter accompanied with your card (... ...) which we were exceedingly proud of. Elizabeth was much disappointed in Father's as she thinks the resemblance is not good. We were glad to hear you were all well. I intended answering you last mail but I left too long and when I started to write some person came in on business which prevented me altogether but I have taken it in time this time.

You will have heard by this time of the arrival of Brothers John and Hugh. They arrived here all safe. They have been living with us since they came here and are all very happy. I think a great deal of my new friends. Indeed we have been getting on splendid at the bush clearing. Many a happy day we have enjoyed in the bush together since they came. John is a great man for the gun. He gets hold of mine sometimes and goes out to the wild ducks but he has not killed any yet. He has got very healthy since he came besides all the rest of them. Janet looks after the poultry for Elizabeth. They have some fine fun sometimes about the eggs. I have been thrashing today. John feeds the mill, Janet cuts the straps, Hugh is at the straw, and I keep the engine. In fact, sometimes the whole batch of them is in the farm, children and all. I am going to thrash it all of as I have sold it all. I have all my land ploughed and some oats sown. We have had an excellent winter. In fact, we have scarcely even known it was winter. Our friends are highly delighted with it.

Dear father and mother, accept of our sincere thanks for the presents you sent us. I was very proud of the bridle indeed; likewise the stockings from mother. Dear father and mother, the most important part of this letter I have yet to write. You will be wondering what it is no doubt. Well, if god spares us, Elizabeth and I with our dear son are coming home to see you this summer so that you shall have the ......

June 16, 1865 Dear Father and Mother: I again take up the pen to drop you a few lines according to my last promises although I am sorry I had to let a mail pass. It was no fault on my part as we went to town several times to have the portrait taken but were always disappointed when day always turned out bad for taking children but we have got little Richard and his mother taken at last, which I shall enclose in this letter to you for a keepsake. It is Richard as true as life although Elizabeth is not well taken as you will see. You will can judge for yourselves whether he is like little William. He is growing a fine healthy boy and he is getting very amusing now. He has so many antic ways about him. He is getting very fond of his papa now. I can scarcely get out of the house for him wanting with me. We are all in excellent health and our earnest desire is that you all may be enjoying the same great blessing.

Sister Janet was safely delivered of a son and heir three weeks ago and both are doing well. She has been out staying with us for a few days this week but has now gone in to town again as they have taken a new house and shop at £1 per week. They intend selling bread and confectionery and I have no doubt but Hugh will ere long be starting a business on his own account. Little Elizabeth Muir has been out with us for two or three weeks. She looks after little Richard. John's little Elizabeth is growing very stout now. In fact all the little ones are in excellent health.

John has been out to stop with us for a few weeks to give me a hand. We have been busy the last two or three days taking up our potatoes in the bush. They are a splendid crop. John says he never saw such a crop in his life. We had some amusing incidents in the getting of them down, such as upsetting the sledge and all the cargo. We are now taking up our turnips. They are a very fine crop especially in the bush. We have been thrashing today. John was feeding the mill. I intend threshing some more stacks of oats while he is out. Oats are only realising 3/ per bushel at present. I have a load going in to town tomorrow. I think they will rise in price shortly. I have not done much with my young filley yet as she met with an accident the first day we yoked her. She got one of the hooks in to her foot but it is all right again so John and I will start one plough each shortly. The weather has been very wet lately but is now clearing up again. We have had another misfortune amongst our cows. Since I last wrote you I have had to shoot one of our best. She was bad with the disease called Pleuro-pneumonia, a disease very prevalent in this country. Some say it is very infectious. A great many have died here with it. There is scarcely curing of it.

I have no doubt you will hear of the loss of the steamer City of Dunedin in which John was sailing. We were all very thankful that he had left her as it would have been fearful tidings to us as he has been working at a steamer lying at one of the jetties in town for some time and has been getting 16/- per day. He is also going in to a new house tomorrow. He is sitting on the opposite side of the table to me writing to you also.

The Exhibition is now closed. The supreme court is now sitting. The calendar is very heavy this time. There is a good many cases of murder. One poor fellow has been condemned and will be executed. So much for the gold diggings as they have brought any class of people here now. They are going on very steady yet.

Dear father and mother, I must now draw this to close, at this time, as I have some more letters to write tonight and the mail closes tomorrow. Dear Elizabeth, little Richard and myself send our kindest love to all our dear brothers and sisters and your dear selves. Hoping to hear from you soon. We are your true and affectionate son and daughter and grandson. John, Richard Charles, Elizabeth Runciman.

Kingston Bay, August 16th, 1865 Dear Father and Mother: We received your kind and affectionate letter and was happy to hear you were all in good health although we were exceedingly sorry to hear of the heavy loss our dear brother sustained in the losing of his dear little one. It must have been a great affliction for them but we must all learn to be submissive to the will of our Heavenly Father for he knows what is best for us.

We are all ourselves in good health. Our dear son is still making great progress both in walking and more especially in talking. He can now say almost everything. Whatever he hears us saying he is sure to say it after us. We hope by this time you will have received his likeness all safe. He is now 19 month old and I am sure a finer boy there could not be at his age. He keeps us laughing many an hour with his drole ways.

We are looking forward to having an addition to our family very shortly if all are spared. Sister Janet Mitchell is expected to be confined shortly too. So dear Father and Mother, you see you will soon have a great family of grand children in New Zealand.

Sister Janet Muir, her little ones and all their family are all well. They are getting on very well in their shop. Hugh is also getting on very well in his situation. John is still out with us working. We are very busy ploughing on stubble. We have two ploughs going. My young filley has turned out a first rate worker and very quiet. We had a young heiffer calve a few days ago. She is milking very well. She had a fine heiffer calf. Unfortunately it died when it was a few days old. I think I told you I bought 2 cows some time ago. They have turned out very well. I paid £14 for one and £20 for the other. There is to be a sale of dairy cows in town on Friday. I intend going in to see the sale. I may perhaps buy another if they sell anything reasonable. We sell all our milk direct as it is a great saving of labour for Elizabeth and besides it pays better. We get 1/2d per gallon. We are selling 6 gallons per day. I have another to calf in a week or two. Butter is 2/6 per lb, eggs 2/-. Elizabeth has a great number of fowls this year besides turkey and geese. My pigeons are breeding very well. I have nearly 80 now. I have also a very fine t bird or Parson bird as it is called here. He is a very fine singer. I intend sowing some oats on the first of the week as spring is now set in. I have sown some wheat. The weather is now setting in dry and I think we will have a good spring. I suppose you will be busy at harvest in Old Scotland.

September 12, 1865 Dear Father and Mother: It is with feelings of infinite pleasure that I take pen in hand to send you the glad tidings that my dear Elizabeth has again been safely delivered of another fine son. He was born on Wednesday night the 6th of this month and I am glad to say both mother and son are doing very well indeed. How much we are indebted to our Heavenly Father for his great and manifold goodness in sparing us all on such an occasion as this. Our little one is just the very image of myself. We are all very proud over him as also our little Richard. He does not know how much to make of him. We have a fine old woman for a nurse keeping house. She had the honour of bringing the young son home as it was all over before the doctor came. He has been out 3 times seeing her. The cost for coming out is £10 10/-.

Sister Janet Muir was out for 2 days after he was born. Her little one is getting on nicely. They have given up their shop and taken another house. Hugh is still in his situation and doing well. John has left me and gone into town as he has got plenty work at his trade. He is working at the Port again. Janet will soon be confined.

Thursday morning 15th. Dear Father and Mother, I have just been taking a rest for 3 days as something came in the way. I did not get any further with your letter. Brother John came out from town last night to see us. He has left the port at present and is going to work in town again for a short time. He will then return to port and I suppose will have a 3 or 4 months work at a new steamer which is to be built. They were all well in town when he left.

There is a new diggings started which is causing a great many to leave home. There is a great building being erected in town for a post office. It is to cost £25,000 and will be a great improvement to the town. My dear Elizabeth and our little son is getting on very nicely. She was up a good while yesterday and is sitting beside me at present while I am writing this. I have just come home from the Flavira Plains. I was out at a sale of cattle but I did not purchase. I bought a fine 3 year old heiffer about a week ago for £18. She is now calved and milking very well. Cows are selling pretty high at present. We have 5 cows milking at present and another near calving. Fresh butter is selling at 2/8 per lb and new milk (1/2 per gallon). We are selling all our milk sweet.

I have just finished ploughing today. I have got some oats sown before this besides wheat. I will have 30 acres of oats this year. I ploughed 14 acres of (lea) from my next neighbour as he had no horses of his own. He only keeps a dairy farm. I have just finished sowing it with oats for him. I had 25/- per acre for ploughing and 20/- per day for each pair of horses for harrowing. I shall now go on with the next of my sowing and afterward the green crop. Dear Father, I only wish that our farm had been 500 acres and had you beside me. I think we could have got on splendid together. We are boring on our mill property for coal but we have not got it yet. They are now down 100 feet. It would be a great boon for us if we could get it. There are two coal pits not far of us and farer from town than us.

Dear Father and Mother, we were very sorry to hear from you last letter that our dear brother George was unwell. We sincerely hope that by this time he will have recovered to his usual health again. He must take great care of himself. I hope his visit to brother Andrew will do him much good.

I have 2 men at present working the horses and I am working with the garden myself. I am paying them 22/- each per week and food. They are two brothers and very good workers. We have got a very nice girl for servant and are giving her £35 a year. She is a very good hand amongst the cows. I am going to thrash of the rest of my crop. Oats are on the rise. They are now 3/6 per bushel. Wheat 7/6 per bushel. For 4 lb loaf is 11d.

Our dear little Richard is turning now an excellent speaker. He can say any thing. He has got some very amusing ways about him and gives us many a laugh at him. It is quite a heart break to him if I go out without him and more so since his little brother was born. But, dear Father and Mother, I must now conclude at this time as I have to write to George and Andrew. We all join together in sending our kind love to you both and all our dear brothers and sisters. Hoping this will find you all enjoying that great blessing health as it leaves us all at present. Hoping to hear from you soon. We remain your true and affectionate son and daughter and grandsons. John, E. & R. Runciman.

Rose Hall, December 4, 1867 Dear Father and Mother: We received your kind letter some days ago and was happy to hear that you were all enjoying good health as this leaves us all in the enjoyment of that precious blessing. Richard Charles and John Jacob are growing to fine boys now. Richard is becoming some little use already as they are very active and amusing. Richard will be 4 years in January and John is two past September. He is very stout.

Sister Janet Muir and family are all well. I have no doubt you will have heard before this of their losing little Janet. It was a heavy trial for them but the Lord gave and it pleased him to take her to himself where she is far better in her Saviour's arms away from the trouble and trials of this weary world. And is it not a lesson to us all of the uncertainty of our time when we see the young as well as the aged taken away.

Hugh has started business up for himself and I think he will do very well. He has a good business. John and Janet and family are all well and are still at Green Island. I believe he has written you and will have given you all the details.

We have very wet weather for some time back and if it continues much longer will hurt the crops although my crops are looking very well indeed. I have not sold much of my last year wheat yet as the prices have been low 4/- per bushel for wheat and 2/6 for oats which will not pay at the present price of labour. You have had better prices with you. They are on the look up here now. Labour is very high here. I had to pay harvesters two guineas per week and meat. My thrashing cost me £80 not including bags which cost me £50 more. Our river has been very high for some time owing to the heavy rains.

Elizabeth has got a fine stock of poultry now. She had a fine brood of young geese 8 in number. They are only 6 weeks old and are as large as the old ones already. She cannot produce such curiositys (sic) as you with 4 wings yet. I think for bringing to quick maturity she could excell. We wish you could send us a pair of your 4-winged ones. She has also a brood of 14 young turkeys and another sitting with thirteen, 18 ducks and about 40 fowls. Eggs are selling at 1/6 per dozen. We have a fine market here. They come and take them from the house any week. We have 13 pigs. I lost a fine horse in winter and I bought a mare that was newly landed from Australia for £51. She turned out in foal which has made her very cheap. She foaled about a month ago, a splendid young horse he is turning out. I now number six again. I have been rather unfortunate in my horses. I see you have had great losses too.

We are expecting a visit from Prince Alfred shortly. He is in Victoria at present. His visit is causing great sensation in this part of the world. There has been great damage in Australia by hailstorm and blight in the crops which will affect our markets here.

Dear Father, you must tell me in your next how you are getting on with your railway and your strong force of horses. I sometimes fancy to myself going through your stables with you. I could enjoy it very well. I suppose the people beside you would almost think it a curious sight to see one come from the Antipodes of the far south after an absence of 15 years. I have a great desire to see the old country again. Little Richard says surely if his Grandma loved him she would come and see him, little knowing the immense distance of ocean that lies between us.

John and family are all expected up shortly to spend a few days with us as John always likes to come up here. Sister Janet is coming up after New Year. I occasionally take a run down to Dunedin. We don't think much of a ride of forty-six miles here. I ride it 6 hours, allowing our horse to feed on the way. We have no railway here so we must just mount the saddle. I have not seen a railway since I left home. I could enjoy a ride on one very well.

Now I shall now conclude as I think this is all the news of any import I can remember. Dear Father and Mother, accept our kind love to yourselves, brothers, sister Catherine, and all nephews and nieces. We hope brother George is now restored to health again. Hoping to hear from you soon. We remain your affectionate son and daughter. J. & E. Runciman.

Rose Hall, January 1869 Dear Father and Mother: It is with feelings of sorrow that I now reply to your letter which we received from you containing the melancholy tidings of the departure of our dear brother from this life. The news was to us sudden and unexpected. On my informing Elizabeth she fainted away. I have no doubt it will be a great affliction to you all but more especially to my dear mother. But whilst we sorrow we can almost rejoice for what great comfort and consolation is in the thought that our dear brother has now gone to his heavenly home. That he is now singing the praises of his saviour around the throne of God, that saviour who hath redeemed him and washed him in his blood. He is away from the troubles and trials of this sorrowful world and is now at rest in that promised land where there is no sorrow, no crying, for God shall wipe away every tear (from) their eyes. When we meditate on these divine truths are we not constrained to say, Thy will be done oh Lord, And now, dear father and mother, in receiving this dispensation of our Heavenly Father we ought to take as a warning from God to us, showing us the uncertainty of our time. We have seen our brother taken away in early youth. We must put the question to ourselves. Are we prepared to die, prepared to meet our God. Are we at peace with him. Are we redeemed and washed in the fountain of Christ's blood. Are we born again of the spirit. Are we being weaned from those things which are seen and temporal and setting our affections on those which are not seen and eternal. If so, happy are we. If not, sad is our case. Let us see to it at once in making peace with our God. Who can tell what a day may bring forth. We are very apt to forget God in this world. What folly, what shall it prosper a man if he gain the world and lose his soul. What are the few sinful pleasures of this world compared to the endless joys of Eternity at God's right hand. Yes, dear father and mother, it is a pleasant thing to serve God. There is nothing gives greater pleasure than with my dear Elizabeth and our little ones we kneel together around a throne of grace morning and evening. It seems a foretaste of that grace which we all hope to partake of when joined to that great family above and where I trust each and all of will be joined, when we shall never part again.

Dear father and mother, we are all in our usual health. Our two sons is growing fine boys. Richard Charles is beginning to be useful now. John Jacob is stouter than him and our little Emily Jane is a very (intense) little dear. She has got an excellent temper. There is nothing to be seen in her little face but a smile. What an emblem of innocence. She will be 11 months on the 2nd February. She will soon be beginning to walk. She has got two teeth. We are sorry we have not been able yet to send you their likeness. We went one day to get them but the man had gone to town badly so we have no chance except going to Dunedin. I was down myself about a fortnight ago. John and family are all well. So was Janet, except their youngest one was poorly.

We are approaching near to harvest again. I have an excellent crop this year again. If we get it right harvested I will be cutting in about a fortnight. Things are very cheap here at present except labour which is always about the same. We are expecting Sister Janet up for a change to her little ones as this is a very healthy place. I think this is all I remember at present. Hoping this will find you all in health as it leaves us in the enjoyment of that precious blessing. Give our kind love to all dear brothers and sister. Hoping to hear from you soon, we remain your affectionate son and daughter. J. & E. Runciman.

Dunedin, North East Valley, May 17th 1882 Dear Father and Mother, It is with feelings of sadness I take up the pen to convey to you the sad and mournful tidings of the death of my beloved wife. I felt reluctance to write you knowing that it will be such a shock to you all but I trust God will give you the needed strength and grace to bear up under it as I have sought for myself. We sorrow not as those who have no hope for she died trusting to the atoning blood of Jesus and she hath gone home to that Saviour and is now in company with our three dear children in the mansions of glory. What a glorious sight it must have been when they beheld her coming in at the pearly gate, never more to part. It is a comfort to me to think that they have got their mother beside them and I am spared her besides our dear ones that are left. We are only parted for a little at the longest. Let us strive also to enter in at the narrow gate and meet around the throne of god, one unbroken family, never more to part. Our little darling, Lena Jane, is 2 years and 8 months old and what a sweet pet she is to me. My only comfort now. May God spare her to me is my earnest prayer. Poor lamb she has soon been deprived of her mother and a more affectionate mother and faithful wife that your daughter has been to me there could not be. I loved her in life and I love her in death.

I think the last time I wrote you she was not in very good health nor had she been prior to her last illness. Last January we took a trip up to Canterbury a distance of 200 miles by rail but the trip did her no good and shortly after we came back about 4 months ago she took a sore throat and as it was getting no better we took her to a Dr. Maxwell not our own Doctor and he said it was a very bad case of ulceration. He burned it every day for about a fortnight which caused her great pain. She had great difficulty in swallowing anything. I stopped the Doctor coming as I was much dissatisfied with him. I called in our own Doctor and he was astonished at the way the Doctor had treated her as he said her case was hopeless. It had turned in to consumption in the throat. She gradually grew weaker and on Thursday, May 11th at 12 o'clock she gently breathed her last and fell asleep in Jesus. She was sensible till within a few minutes of her end which was a great comfort to us. She would let no one attend to her at night but myself. She never gave a murmur through all her illness and was quite resigned to leave this sorrowing world knowing that she would be free from all her sufferings. All my neighbours were exceedingly kind and paid us every attention. Sister Janet came down every day as she lives close by. She had a bad attack a few weeks ago but is somewhat recovered. It has been a sore blow to her.

I am getting a very suitable woman to keep my house. She will be with us in about a week. She has been in her last place about 7 years which says a good deal for her. Richard is still in his situation and getting on well. George, James and Alexander are the next. They are all at school, and little Lena is at home.

I must now conclude with kind love to you all and hoping to hear from you soon. Your affectionate son. John Runciman.

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