Napier August 5th. 1866. Dear Sir, I returned yesterday from the Manawatu, I have had very bad weather, there has also been a great deal of rain in Napier of late. Everything hear is going on quietly, and as far as I can hear at present all goes on well up the coast excepting the continual rumour of an attack from the interior on some part of the east coast. If I had received your letter respecting the +Manawatu boundaries etc, before I left that district I should have been able to have given a better account of the general opinion of the Natives up there, as it is I heard some thing. The general idea expressed was, that unless the Ngateupokoiri, were satisfied with the arrangements as to their share of the payment, that they would either take off a large piece at the back of the block or that there would be a fight over the boundaries. The Hiriwanui seemed to be under the impression that a fight would ensue before the question was finally settled amongst the Natives themselves unless the Ngateupokoiri and I think the Ngatiraukawa tribes came to some arrangement of boundaries. He looks upon the land as having been finally disposed of to the Government and the natives in his neighbourhood are waiting for a notice to fetch their portion of the money. Tomorrow I will endeavour to find out more full particulars and if I hear before the mail starts I will send them. I was very glad to hear that you settled Mr. G. Graham. I enclose you a letter from Lockwood which shows how matters will go if power be not granted to the Government to take a proper position, that is, a firm and straightforward policy with respect to this coast. The expense and trouble increases at a tenfold ratio every day almost. Since I saw you last I have made some enquiries with respect to the surveys of blocks for the next Land Court, and I am more convinced than every that the litigation at some future time will be erroneous if immediate steps are not taken in the matter. There are pieces of land in this province that have been surveyed three times, every boundary different, somewhat in this manner and all applied for under different names etc, and surveyed by different surveyors. You havd already arranged that the maps should pass the provincial office, but even that is not enough. The surveyors ought to be under more strict regulation even than if officers I even go of the government for the survey of Govt. purchased lands/so far as to think that the Government should take the whole charge of the survey department, and that the surveyors should be salaried, or at all events some of them and that they should have charge of districts and that the expense should be paid by charging a higher sum for trying a case in the court. This would only last until all the land had passed once thoough the Court. It may be all very well for the Govt. to say they are not responsible as it now stands but they will find it come heavy some day for settling these overlapping claims, for which grants in many cases will be issued. I have spoken to Weber about this some few times but he pretends not to see it in that light. I have received a letter from Christy, of the Wairoa to the effect that the Govt. ought to let him have the piece of land at Turiroa as a reserve for his children as his eldest son was shot fighting for Govt. and the whole hurnden of his family now falls on him, and Paul writes to the same effect. I am much obliged to you for getting Dr. Haarsts likeness, and also to him for sending it. Who wrote Colonel Russell's speech for him? Dr. Featherston is trying to buy in the Wairarapa valley or on the road there not far from this province I hear. I heard a letter read received from the Wairarapa Natives, in answer to one from the Hirawanui, calling on them to abandon Hauhauism, in which they said they would never leave it off, e kore, e kore, e kore rawa. I settled Johnson's boundary on my way. The Ngaitahu have given in on all points Karaitiana and also Hori Niania were present Hemi's only excuse was that as Hapuku got the main crop he thought he might pick up a few piwai. I think it would be far better if there are any more surveyors required for the Province to get them from the south than from the north. I hope you will be successful with respect to the east coast and annexation. I remain, Dear Sir, Yours truly, S. Locke. P. S. These Judges say that they will not entertain any question where the Natives and Govt. boundaries clash. Then who is to do it?