Napier May 27th 1872 My dear Sir I received your letter the other day, The shortest I ever received. Cromwell could not have conveyed more meaning in fewer words - I never write, thinking you have so many here to send you the few items of news in this place that mine would only be a repetition in different words - I must first thank you for cashing the order on Kinross - The return feast that the people gave the Natives here on the Queens birthday passed off beyond my expectations. Nothing could have been better. Over three hundred adults sat down to dinner off beef and plum pudding - and about one hundred school children dined at Marshalls with Marshalls boys and played cricket and other games with the boys - All the town were present - Promises were made by all the speakers - European - that the like should happen every year - Unfortunately a lot of lads and young men from Pakipaki and Poukawa got drinking at Ngaruroro bridge hotel, and quarrelled with Europeans who were drinking there, and a row sprang up, which ended in a regular Donnybrook fair row - Windows smashed heads broken etc. I went to the spot next day visited the Europeans who had been hurt etc. and sent for Renata Kawepo and other chiefs to meet me today in Town - They all came with Karaitiana who has just arrived - and the case will be properly investigated and losses paid for by the Maoris. Further than that I think there is no necessity to go - More caution about warning publicans must be done next time - Henry Russell is working night and day to upset all the past transactions in land since the Lands Act came into force. He has got a Mr. Lacelles from the Thames here, as his lawyer - and a man named Maunsell as his interpreter - They hold regular runangas, in the different Pas. This is a much more serious question than the upsetting of two or three titles. It will - if not stopped - with a firm hand lead to a among the Maoris, Let that once get head and I prophecy that the day will come we shall have to employ the Waikato Kingites to fight or present friendlies, if not worse all will be against us. Every thing has been going on well at Taupo up to this time - but I do not know what all this sending up people from Wanganui and prospectors etc. from Auckland into that only partially organized West Taupo will lead to. They are commencing to haggle and quarrell allready - I wish I had Mitchell to help me in that part of Taupo District. I cannot stand the travelling in new places, I suffer very much at times - G. Mair does not understand that part of the work. Preece is better but he is better employed where he is - Mitchell has now got a good appointment in Melbourne. I hope the Native Department will be reorganized and the Lands Court amalgamated with it - even if I am turned out with others - People are cooling down here very much about the railway. It should have commenced many think inland. I remain My dear Sir Yours very truly S. Locke