Napier May 30th. 1873. Dear Sir, I have not written you lately as there has been nothing of any special importance taking place amongst the Natives of this District. The alienation of land seems almost at a stand still. I have only been called upon to enquire into 7 or 6 transactions since the beginning of this year. The principal dispositions of land in the lease of the Tutira Blk (20490 a.) situate at back of Arapawanui to Mr. Newton for 21 years at £150 a year; lease to Mr. W. Carswell of Puketitiri, of Pakaututu Blk (7606 a.) for 8 years at £40 a year; and conveyance by Tamehana Materoa to Mr. Sutton of Interest (8th.) in Kakiraawa Blk. for £300. None of the transactions in any way differed in character from other Native bargains of land in this Province. I am happy to say I had not to withhold my certificate in any case. The Natives in the Poverty Bay Dist. hew also a tendency to retain their lands at present judging from the exceedingly few Native deeds which are egistered. I enclose a slip from Hawkes Bay Herald containing a translation of a letter written to Ihaka Whanga by Henare Matua - Henare Tomoana appeared before Mr. Sealy R.M. yesterday on a charge preferred against him for perjuryby Mr. Tanner arising out of evidence given by him before the Commission in the Heretaunga case. He is remanded until 6th. June in the expectation that Mr. Sheehan his solicitor will be down to defend him. I understand Paora Nonoi is dead but cannot say so positively. I am very much obliged to you for your kind consent to C3 being appointed a J.P. I spoke the otherday to Mr. Ormond on the subject and he expressed himself in my favour saying that he will recommend me to you when he goes down to the session. This District appears at the present time in an exceedingly flourishing condition. The Town especially is in a healthy state. A great number of large buildings have lately been erected both in the Town and on the hills surrounding and many more large Dwelling Houses are in course of erection. Property has in consequence risen much in value during the last 6 months. I may instance sale this week of Mr. Kendrick Hills property (opposite old Union Bank) containing 1 a. 1 r. 19 p. and having thereon an inconveniently put together dwelling house of 6 to 7 ooms to Mr. Foster for £900 cash. The Land Transfer Act is making I am glad to say steady progress in this Dist. A great numberof properties in the main streets of Napier and the spit have been brought under the Act. For instance the business sites of Messrs Abrahams, Bank of New Zealand, N. Williams, Chas. Palmer Holder, Jas. and Chas. Watts the cabman, Luff, Manoy, Draeft, Warnes, Jno. Stuart, J.G. Kinross and others; while a good deal of the land on the Hills belonging to Messrs Robjohns, Jno. Stuart, R. France, J.H. Vautier G. S. G. Richardson, Moggridge, Pyne, Sealy, Nates, Greer and others is also subject to the act having been brought under our personal application. The weather has continued fine without change for the last three weeks and has every appearance of continuing good. I am Sir, Yours very obediently, Hanson Turton. To:-- The Honble D. McLean