Napier December 3rd. 1869. Dear Sir, I have just returned from Taupo, with Mr. Ormond. The natives there are very anxious to hear how you get on at Waikato. Some of them do not believe in the sincerity of the King Party. You will have heard that the road is commenced on the plains. The success or otherwise on the West shore will depend very much on your success at Waikato. I have every hope of success. I find the fear of losing their mana as Chiefs over their people and their land is the delicate point with the Maoris of the interior. In some cases, it will be difficult to manage, but I don't see why we should not be able to meet all that part of the question, if we can but get over the unpleasant suspicion that now exists, and open a friendly intercourse between the races. If Te Kooti, Keroopa, and Titokowaru are but done away with, and the King Party allow the road and telegraph to go down Waikato, so as to connect our settlement, we shall have quite enough to do for some years, to consolidate what we have got, and quieten down the country, and restore confidense. Before all that is done, the King question will, with good management, be of little consequence. I may be wrong. I enclose you some notes I took at Taupo. Could not the Officers connected with Natives be encouraged to collect Maori traditions, songs, etc, for future publication? There is a great deal of robbery, breaking into Friendly Natives' houses, and stealing horses, going on by the forces. Hoahepa Tamatutu's house at Oruanui, was broken into by the Tauranga pack-men; and a great deal of property stolen and destroyed. The Europeans do not respect the graves and burial grounds of the Maoris. It leaves a bad impression. In one case they dug up the bones of a Taupo Friendly Chief of importance, to set if there were any greenstones buried with him. I don't wish this to come from me, but if such things could be stopped, if it is not too late, it would do a great deal of good. I received a lot of letters from Mr. Clarke respecting Poverty Bay lands. What a pity the natives were not informed of the sitting of the Lands Court. I am awkwardly situated without a clerk. I have a very good one at Poverty Bay (Skipworth), and here I have to pay for the writing myself. I have seen Frazer to-day. He is looking better than I ever saw him look before. Mr. Clarke has paid the Assessors and Police at Taupo up to this time. I suppose that will be done through me for the future? Who has the power here to issue the Crown Grants to the Maoris? Soully says that Canteens at the different Military Stations will do great injury, he thinks. I remain Yours very truly (Signed) S. Locke. P.S. There appears every hope of Kaimanawa turning out well. I hope you will spare a little money for the road between Wairoa and Poverty Bay. (Signed) S. L.