Locke has gone to Taupo to meet Matuaha and the West Taupo Natives who have at last come in to the number of about 100. Hone Tauteka was the means of bringing them in - they are to be at Tapuaehararu today - The necessity for finding food for these meetings is a great difficulty. I give as little as I can but in a case of this kind it is impossible to help assisting. Hone Tauteka and old Poihipi have no food and of course apply for some - I keep it down as much as possible - Whilst at Taupo Locke is to go on to Niho o te kiore to meet Ngatiraukawa and have another talk with them. He will ascertain how far they are inclined to assist in pushing the Telegraph and Road through their own Country - excluding of course the disputed country beyond. Also he is to arrange the terms for a direct mail to Cambridge - I mentioned this subject to you in my last and the applications to do the service were so urgent that I got authority to incur the necessary expense and hope to have it arranged in a few days. Perenera Tamahiki