Napier April 15th 1873 My dear Sir The Commission I am happy to say is over at last - but the agitation is not ended secret meetings are being held for the purpose keeping up the excitement, and getting up fresh petitions for Parliament - I send you James Carrolls reports of the speeches at Tokano I have had then put in the shape of a Report as I think he deserves great credit for the way he has written them. I sent him to Pakipaki but no one was allowed into the house I except a few choosen Natives and H.Russell Sheehan and Mr. Kelly M.H.R. for East Coast - I hope to hear what took place before the Luna starts I can then add it to this. Tareha would not go the meeting - If these Natives dare they would rebel - It is the turning point here between the two races and the Maori does not like to submit to circumstances - Mr. Maning is greatly relieved that the Commission is over. He has done much to keep matters right - It is a matter of time - The Natives have got into a way (through being taught) of late to treat everything connected with Government or Government officers with disrespect Europeans too often think that it is very funny to laugh when a Maori acts in this way - forgetting that the Maori means rebellion and disloyalty to Government as rule that does not suit him. While the Europeans in many cases only think of the joke or of the particular people in power - and before this feeling can be removed the people - the Assembly and the Government must be made to feel respecting a people like the Maori that the Government as a Govt. must be supported and the Govt. must make it manifest that the officers whose duty it is to carry out the will of that Govt. are backed and act with authority - H.Russell tryed to put a lot of Maori names on the Roll this year - There will soon be a question as to Maori having two votes one for this special Member and one for the European Member - I hope the Govt. will allow of the road being made from Tapuaeharuru to Tokano and Patea and from Patea to Wanganui and a bridle road at least to Napier by way of Ngaruroro Gorge - Mr. Sheehan and others want me to go to Taupo with them - I said I thought he should go being a Member of the Auckland Executive but that I had to go to Poverty Bay - Wm.Buckland is at Taupo taking up runs I hear he is likely to take the run Sir G.Grey and Holt had to do with - I hope he will for that question is very complicated - It is a great pitty the Tatua Block at Taupo was ever allowed to pass the Lands Court. There is an old Chief at Taupo named Hetaraka to Whetu who often asks me to get a pension for him - I should much to do something for him and Reweti te Kume - I suppose it is out of the question but I often think it would be well to make a special District of the interior of Island and let it be entirely administered by the General Government - Some of the Natives along the coast between Wairoa and Poverty Bay talk of putting obstacles in the way of the telegraph work, but that will not come to much - I have sent the specimen of gold I got from Ruatahuna to Dr.Hector. I sent him some oil from East Cape the other day. April 16th. I have just heard full particulars of secret meeting at pakipaki - No Europeans were allowed in. And Jimmy Carroll was also not allowed in, but there were others there they however not ofs. Natives were stationed all round the house to keep people off - Karaitiana, Henare Mahua, Henare Tomoana, Renata Kamepo, Hapuku, Paora Kaiwhatu, Harawira Tatere and all but Tareha were there - No European was there at the discussion after it was over. H.Russell and Sheehan and H.R's interpreter Stevens entered - The main question was to get up a monster petition including all from Wairarapa to East Cape and Taupo if possible for purpose of getting an other Commissioner with judicial powers - and to act as one man to turn out the present Govt. and to subscribe to pay Sheehan - The man who told me all said he never heard worse talk amongst Hauhaus of old - I have told Mr.O. all that was said - I hear and know you think I am like warm on many matters - I am very sorry that such thoughts should exist; but I cannot help it - I never failed in the - - I remain Yours very truly S. Locke