Poverty Bay April 13th 1867 Dear Sir We arrived here on Tuesday last after being two nights in the bush. The meeting about the land commenced yesterday. If I have time before the Sturt sails, I will tell you the results of this days talk, If not Mr. Richmond will I suppose as he goes in the Sturt to Wellington - Could not Hamlin be preparing the deeds of your Run supposing the grants should arrive before I get back to Napier. Some of the people here are disappointed that you are not come. Mr. Richmond appears to be against Provincialism. I have just returned from the meeting - The whole matter with respect to the boundaries etc. of land to be taken is referred to a Committee selected from the different Hapus with riggs to sit with them. The meeting is to take place on Monday next. The Natives complained that Biggs wanted too much land. It is a pitty the committee, or whatever it may be called, did not take place before the meeting instead of after it - I have not come to much of an understanding with Mr. Richmond yet excepting that I am to have charge of the surveys - but I hear nothing of anything extra for time - Still it will not answer me to lose the work etc. on this coast - Mr. Harris asked very kindly after you - so have many others - The people are for manageing their own local affairs as they cannot be with Hawkes Bay. We start up the coast about Wednesday or Thursday. I remain Yours truly S. Locke To His Honor D. McLean Esq. Napier