Napier May 7th /60 Sir I receivd your Letter written at Waiuku all safe it cheared me very much and I am very much obliged to you for your kind expressions used in it. I have not the opportunity now of seeing the Natives as formerly when employed amongst them but I never lose an opportunity of speaking to them there appears to me to be a very unpleasent lull in this District at the present time (some call it an excitement) but that is to come there is the Porangahau Ahuriri Kaweka Rangaa Tawhau and Moeangiangi Blocks and one or two others to my personnel knowledge in dispute when I first arrived the Natives appeared to be anxous to settle up all old claims (I speak from my own knowledge of the Kaweka Rangaa Tawhau and Moeangiangi also Ahuriri Blocks) the others on hearsay), but it has been put off so often now that they declare that it is of no use for if the Government did not intend something against them they (the Governt.) would be more anxious to settle with them that is why I call it a lull for at the finaial settlement of these claims it will show the true state of their minds of the Natives at present there is but a silent breath, all parteys evading each other it requires your presence and untill then nothing will be final. I went with Messrs. Cooper and Fitzgerald to Arapaoanui it was Mr. Cooper's intention, that him and me should go on to Turaweraafter the meeting was over and Mr. Fitzgerald properly started on the Survey of Arapaoanui but it was a failure for Mr. Fitzgerald was kicked in the leg and returned to Town and the Natives came to the desision that only the Land on the Arapaoanui should be surveyed and that Toha's sale was not correct for that Toha's Forefather Tahu had two sons one of which received the Lands about the Wairoa from whom Toha is descended and the other had the Lands around Moeangiangi Arapaoanui etc. Pikais claims were also disputed so we returned to Napier and I am sorry to say never went to Tarawera although I do not think it would have been much use for Kipa Patakai and others told me that untill the other disputes are settled they will not let fresh Land - there has also been a meeting at the Pa Whakainoa relating to a speech made by Mr. Colenso disrespectful of the Natives the Superintendent Major Young Mesrs. Tiffen Tanner etc. went to meet them the first day the Natives it appears said but little but wished the Europeans to return on the Monday so they might think what to answer so on the Monday the Superintendent and Major Young went and the Natives got them into a dispute about the King movement etc. so it ended badly I have laid out a Township for the Natives of Te Aute I cannot tell you any White Mans news for I take no interest in it but wishing you health and every happiness and hopeing sincerely soon to see you here I remain, Sir Your Obedent Servant Saml. Locke To Donald McLean Esqr. J. P. Auckland