Te Mahia, Decr. 19th, 1864 Sir, The meeting which I mentioned in two previous letters, was to take place on the 12th of this month met on Thursday 16th, at Waiwhara. The ostensible object of the meeting was to collect money sufficient to pay for the ordination of a man named Watene, as priest, but advantage was taken of the occasion to turn it to political purposes, namely, as I before mentioned, to return the money paid by you for the Mahia, and to prevent the sale of any further lands in this district, by having them transferred over to their care. On Tuesday 12th, Paul Apatu and party arrived from the Wairoa, on Wednesday, Ihaka Waanga, Paul Apatu, with the people from the Mahia, Kopuawhara, and the Wairoa rode over to Waiwhara, the party was overtaken by the people from Nuhaka and Tahaenui, just after starting from the Mahia. But as the people from Turanga had not arrived nothing more was done than making a few complimentary speeches. Thursday 15th, Was spent very quietly the only event of the day being the collection of the money to pay for the priests ordination it was managed in a very orderly manner previous to our arrival a long tent had been built with a long table on each side with forms to sit on, about twelve o'clock the guests were all formed in a wiu and so marched to dinner, but before starting the money collected had been equally divided amongst them, and as they entered the tent they left their money in a plate held at the door. In the evening a few disputes were settled, amongst which was one which arose through the sale of five gallons of rum by (as the Native stated) Mr. Carroll of the Wairoa, which rum was carried to Nuhaka, and there retailed out, Early on the morning of the 16th the Turanga natives arrived they numbered but eight or ten, but were sent to represent the Rongowakaata tribe. The principal men were Paul Arawharaiki, and Wi Pere, The talk was commenced by Paul Apatu, who told the other party that he knew the purpose for which they came, but that they would not succeed, for the land was gone to the pakeha, and that the Wairoa, and Nuhaka, were gone also, he spoke exceedingly well as did Ihaka, and Tangihaere. The speeches of the other party were violent, going so far as to threaten that if the land were not returned to them, and the money to the government, that they would go back to Turanga and being a party and drive the pakeha off the land and the loyal natives with them. They were then told that the land belonged to the government, that it had been bought from the real owners, and that the money had been paid, and unless they could prove a claim to some portion that no notice would be taken of them, and we then rode back to the Mahia. On Saturday, Paul and Ihaka, assisted by others divided the money into different parcels and labelled them ready for the distribution on Monday. Monday 19th. This morning Paul Apatu left for the Wairoa, shortly after his departure the natives from Nuhaka arrived followed by the Ngaitu, and some of the people from the Cape immediately after their arrival it was perceived that the Turanga people had not been idle having persuaded the Ngaitu to refuse the money offered by Ihaka (fifty pounds) (Ihaka Makahiri £20, Paora Arawhariki, 10, Wi Pere, 10, Wi Paretupua, 10 £50) because they did not see the bags opened, they wished me to take the money back but I told them that I uld not do that for I considered the land as belonging to the government, that you had previously paid Ihaka forty pounds, that he had consented to the sale and signed his name, but that I wished them to settle the matter quietly amongst themselves, after me telling Ihaka the above, he told me that as far as he was concerned, he would be quite willing to do o, but that his people would not consent, he thought, but he would go and try, so he left me this evening - since his departure there has been a meeting to consult as to what is best to be done for Ihaka Wanga appears to be fully under the impression that the Turanga people intend mischief that they only want an epportunity, he wishes me particularly to ask you to send some arms down and have them left with some Europeans, all the natives of Nuhaka, Kopuawhara, and with a few exceptions those at Nukuaurua declare themselves loyal. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, S. Locke To His Honor Donald McLean Napier