Napier, Feby. 25th, 1865. Sir, Permit me to express a sincere hope that the change of scenery and clime have materially improved your Honors health - Since your departure up to the present nothing particular has occurred - An Earthquake was felt in Napier on Monday 20th Inst. at about 5 1/2 o'clock - the shake lasted about 40 seconds and was of an easy undulating motion - apart from the inexpressible feeling which a person experiences during its continuation "of not knowing what is coming" the sensation was agreeable. I neglected to enquire if I should forward the H.B.Herald regularly to your address, will you be kind enough to instruct me thereon - 150 of the (Pai Marire) Waikato natives are at present paying a visit to Hawkes Bay, their reception by Renata and other natives about here was anything but friendly they passed on and went to Pakowa - Te Hapuku's Pah where they encamped and made a convert of the Haurangi and a few more natives - a piece of Policy I imagine of Te Hapukus. Mr. Weber who saw the Pai Marire perform their religious exercise told me it consists of 2 men holding up swords at arms length pointing them at the kings flag on a pole which they have erected on a field contigious to the Pah on the Te Aute side - the rest of the natives were shouting and howling - Kipa has been stealing a couple of Mr. Parsons sheep, the excuse he gave was that they were wild having long tails and therefore he had a right to kill them - Everything else is very quiet. The Strathallan is nearly ready for sea, she will have about 2000 bales of wool on board, which will speak well for H.B. at home. The Napier has arrived in Auckland with a great quantity of goods for Napier. The Memorial to Her Majesty against Separation is being I might say unanimously signed the only exceptions are 3 or 4 parties who obtain their goods from Auckland - at present upwards of 600 signatures have been obtained - Next week will be a gala week for Napier what between the Horticultural and Floricultural show on Tuesday and the Races on Wednesday and Thursday. The Choral Society is again started - the lady performers being Mr. Begg Stuart Syndon Cooper - Miss Begg Nicoll and a few more whom I cannot now recollect. The Meeting of the Mechanics Institute to consider the advisability of erecting a building was very poorly attended - the Meeting came to the conclusion of inviting subscriptions as they are short of the requisite amount of £100 - I have just heard that the natives about here do not like the Pai Marire natives being allowed to ramble through the Province unmolested so they have come to the determination of sending them back. Having nothing further to report to your Honor, I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obt. Servt., Geo Thos Fannin P. S. Mr. Rhodes has written for to increase the Mility. Settlers to 100 men and to know if they might depend on getting Troops if required. There is a meeting of Natives on the 15th proximo.