Wairoa April 22nd 1865 Dear Sir I have received the letter by Hamlin - What could make Fitzgerald or any one else circulate such a report a mere parcel of falsehoods, I cannot think unless it was to gain his point which appearently he has done in getting the command of the Militia etc. here, so as to be a clog on this district - The whole matter must have been got up for that purpose, and now he chuckles - The people here are disgusted with the appointment but see through his dodge - He is a lump of curruption mystery and nothingness. The whole case was that when Major Lambert was here the natives, to show themselves off, and to pay him a compliment marched up to Spooner's armed - when I suggested to Major Lambert to address a few words to them, which he did, Mr. Deighton acting as interpreter after which the natives were sitting about, when Karauria Hiwirori came up drunk and struck one of Kopu's men for some old grudge, when Kopu feeling insulted became angry and commenced making a speech at the same time drawing his sword (which a native would do in the quietest speech) Seeing that Kopu was angry, I walked up to Karauria and told him to go away which he did, I then spoke to Kopu telling him that our object was to keep united and although he had been insulted to drop the subject and put up his sword which he did, and walked with me into Spooner's and sat quietly down, and within an hour Karauria came in and shook hands with him - When I first read your letter I thought you must mean that I must go and make peace with the Hauhau for the other matter was forgotten - If there had been any likehood of a disturbance I had plenty of time to have written to you which I most certainly should have done. These things rankle within me, do what I will something allways appears to throw a dark shade on it - We are all quiet here now there was a meeting at Matiti on Friday between these people and the Hauhau - Where the Napier natives got a thorough beating on the King question by the Waru who told them that they were the cause of all the disturbance that they had supplied the King etc. which neither Paora nor Karauria could answer - but looked and felt small - They will try to get their Karamana and Wi Tako's men were also there, but said nothing I believe them to be playing a double game especially Karamana and that he is very sorry that he cannot leave the Wairoa in the same state that he left Turanga - Ihaka Wanga and Paora Rerepu were there - But Messrs. Deighton and Hamlin will report - I hope we shall have no more of the Napier natives here, they would soon make these people as big rogues as themselves - Karauria and Paora had a much deeper game to play than to come here to settle a quarrel for the sake of the Europeans, Karauria was sent by Tareha to get recruits, and to speak to Hamana Tiakiwai about Karaitianas encroachments. For Hamana and Tareha lay claim to all the plains through their ancestors Titiroterangi and Maiakinaterangi, Hamana says that he intends taken steps in the matter. But I hope we shall see no more of them the Napier Natives for Kopu and Paora Apatu seem as if they had had a wet sheet thrown over them since these people have been here, and some few of the friendly Natives have gone over with their muskets to the other party, since their arrival and as to the West Coast natives they have crept off like so many curs without speaking a word - What is Hamlin? is he Government Agent, Pilot, looker on, or what? I dont mind these things, for I know (that excepting from you) I shall never get any credit for anything I do, but Deighton is seemingly very much annoyed about some thing which I believe is that he thinks that Hamlin is sent down to look on or in case of necessity to act as mediator - There was some violent talk between some the Government natives and the Hauhaus today some of them are trying to get Bonaparte to stop here or at the Wakaki - Hoping that you are getting well fast - I remain Your Obed. Servt. S. Locke To His Honor D. McLean Napier Monday morning. There are some drinking and quarrelsome characters amongst the Volunteers we brought down it would be a good plan to weed them out now and supply their places with, good men but no one here seems to have the power of discharging them - Ihaka Wanga is here telling me that the Urewera are going home at once so also are the others - He often mentions a small piece of land which he added to the Mahia block at the inland side since the sale to make the block more square I suppose he looks something for it I tell him that I have no time to see it at present. He will be in town in a day or two when he will tell you all the news. S.L.