Napier June 12th 1870 Dear Sir, I was speaking to Maney yesterday and he told me that he had got five signatures to the deed of mortgage of Mangateretere, Tareha's and his neices will make seven I hear that Wilson is trying to get some one to bring up the whole question at the Assembly - The deed is made out in the name of A. McLean and Williams. Some of the Natives spoke to Major Heaphy about one of the Mangatereteresbut of the deeds are yet registrared and only partially signed. I have been informed that some of the Natives have mortgaged and sold their land since applying to Major Heaphy for a Trust deed, and as his deeds were not completed and registrared of course they are legally correct - I have always thought there ought to be some one appointed in each district who should certify in writing that the Natives understood the nature of what they had done in signing their name, more especially in connection with mortgages, before the deed could be registered or become legal. There requires a radical change in the construction and management of the Native Lands Court. It was anexcitement that has nearly had its run in its present form of working - I have sent you duplicates of my account for the balance of the money due me or rather the surveyors who did the work, at Wairoa, Poverty Bay, Tologa Bay and Waiapu. I sent this as I heard that only Williams and Busbys account for Waikare - Petane had passed the Treasurers office. I have got a notice from Poverty Bay that I shall be summonsed at once if I do not meet the payments of some bills the surveyors have got out as they consider me responsible for the money- Old Poihipi is here some of the Ngatituwharetoa are on their way down, Manuera's son and one or two others from Tuhua are with them and some Ngatiruakawa's - You will have heard that Hamlin and his Force have crossed the Waikaremoana - and have found they say, 200 tons of potatoes etc. and have taken a pa. There is some money lying at Mr. Tabateau's office for the widows and orphans at Poverty Bay and other places, but neither I nor any one else have authority from Govt. to pay it I hear that a question has arisen in respect to the registraring legallyty etc. etc. of the certificates of title issued by the Poverty Bay Commission. The old settlers are asking to have their duty the ten per cent, remitted, or rather not charged to them. I enclose a slip out of a Paper, a great deal of which is news to me - and part of it I thought I had done nearly two years back. I see that Cooper has got a new appointment. I remain, Dear Sir Yours very truly S. Locke