Nuhaka. March 21st. 1865. Dear Sir, I am happy to see by your letter that you have returned to Napier; but I should have been more pleased if I had heard that you had fully recovered your health. Since your absence I have settled the Waihua and Nuhaka purchases, and paid an advance of seventy pounds to Paora Apatu on the Turiroa Block; also received two offers of large Blocks up the Waiau; one from the Kohea party, the other from Mokena and Taha. Pikai has also offered the land between Maungaharuru and the sea; to which Teira Paia has consented. For the Waihua Block I paid One Thousand two hundred and fifty pounds (£1250). The two hundred and fifty pounds was for about seven thousand acres not included in Mr. Fitzgerald's survey, at the head of the Waihua; which includes some good totara. Having brought only One Thousand pounds with me, I sent an order to Napier for the £250; but it was dishonoured on the plea that Kohea had written a letter about the Hinepaka. I did not think it necessary to say in my letter that I knew all about Kohea's and Paul's dispute, and that a Meeting took place before the sale. The sending back the order nearly upset my doings here; but I paid the money out of the money I had in hand at Nuhaka. After settling for Waihua, I proceeded to the Wairoa; where I saw Kopu, Paora Apatu, Hamana, Maihi, and Atero. Kopu and Paora offered the land about Turiroa; on which I paid Seventy pounds, and promised to go there after finalising Nuhaka. I also arranged with Kopu to haul off the "Iris". I had to pay twenty pounds if he could launch her into the sea; but if the weather would not suit, he had to haul her into the river, for which he had to get forty pounds. I advanced twenty pounds on this work to Kopu; and the natives commenced work before I left the Wairoa. After settling at the Wairoa, I proceeded to Nuhaka with Paora Apatu, and other claimants of that Block. At Nuhaka I was met by Ihaka Waanga, Matenga, Tamihana, and others. We then arranged that the Meeting should take place on the second day after my arrival; so as to give time for the owners to come. The Meeting was well attended; and after talking for a day and a half, it was finally settled that the Government should give Three Thousand three hundred pounds (£3,300); two thousand two hundred (£2,200) of which should be paid at once the remaining one Thousand one hundred (£1,100) to be paid in March 1866. The natives are perfectly satisfied. I have not heard one complaint. They tried for £10.000. In paying for this Block, I have been compelled to make myself responsible for about Seven hundred pounds (£700). Five hundred I borrowed from Ihaka Waanga; and Two hundred from Mr. Morriss; which money I have full confidence the Government will repay. If I had not so contrived, the time lost, and the annoyance to the natives caused through disappointment, and Meetings for no purpose, would have been very injurious to the Government. In settling for the Nuhaka Block, it was between Ihaka Waanga and myself that he should be allowed to purchase about six hundred acres for himself, at the upset price, at Waikokopu; also that Rutini should have about ten acres at the head of the Nuhaka valley on the same terms; and that Hapie and Honi should each have about an acre. I trust, as I have promised, that you will see no reason for their not being carried out. I intend, now, to remove to the Wairoa, to survey Paora's Block, until I hear further from you. I have been to Wangawehi; but I don't think the people there are quite prepared. Taira is willing, but Tangihaere hangs back. Some say that he is somewhat inclined to the new movement; but I don't think so at present. I have heard all about the Opotiki murder from natives from Tauranga. The people, the Hau Haus who were at Turanga, are gone to the Bay of Plenty. The Turanga people told to return; and if they succeeded at Tauranga, that they would believe. Their intention appears now to be, to make a final blow if possible there at either Tauranga or Maketu. There were some at the Wairoa; but they have left,- some for Turanga, others for the Wakaki. They have made many converts at the Wairoa. The Wakaki people are all converts. The Nuhaka are all right at present. The Nukutauroa people are doubtful. In talking to some of them on the subject, I mentioned that the Heretaunga people would have nothing to do with them. They smiled, and said,-"" They asked me for guns, etc. I told them that when they gave some proof that they were sincere that they should have them. He is going to the Wairoa with me, to speak to Rupu and others. Paora is with me here. The Hau Haus at Turanga, I have been informed, state that as you are away, and I am here in your stead, that they will make an out of my head; I will write again by the mail; they are waiting for this. I hope Mr. Kinross will send up the paper I left at his store, to the Wairoa. I will send the Deeds by the first chance. I remain, Dear Sir, Your Obedient servant. (Signed) S. Locke. D. McLean Esq. Napier.