Napier Novr. 24 th, 1863 Dear Sir, According to your instructions I went to Oeu to endeavour to settle the dispute - On my arrival there I found that the natives had all left for Patangata. I inspected the land they had cultivated and fenced in but as far as I could make out they had not tresspassed but very little if any over the boundary - but their tents had been erected on Mr.Curlings side of the line, and their bullocks etc. had of course fed on his land. I then rode over to Patangata where I met Maika, Hemi and others who on my telling them the purpose for which I came, told me that they had received a letter from Mr.Cooper on the subject (to whom Mr.C. had written at the same time that he wrote to you) who recommended atat Paraoni should settle the affair, but they appeared to prefer seeing you at Napier, respecting the land, and after that to settle any other dispute there might be between them and Mr.Curling at the Waipawa court - to which I agreed - I asked them what land they claimed, they then described the boundaries of the old claim, I explained to them that that land had been all bought at the first purchase at the Waipukurau with the exception of three hundred and eight acres of bush to which land they had every right to do what they pleased with, I went on to explain that they had got eighty acres of land and fifty pounds more than they had any claim to in 1859 - their answer was that the dispute was not fully settled at that time the money and land being given to them for the purpose of making them hold their tongues Maika putting his finger accross his mouth to show his meaning - After some further conversation in which I made Maika look rather ashamed at acknowledging to having received a bribe - I said that looking at the extra money and land as a mouth stopper that his argument was wrong, for in fact it was intended as a 'stopper', that is, it was understood at the time the question was for ever settled - for in fact the land had been previously bought and therfore allowing them their arrangement the money was given rather than that they should have any reason to complain of the Europeans wishing to impose upon them - M then decided that they should meet you on your return from Auckland to settle the question - There has been fresh alarms here one that Wi Tako and some of his people are on their here through the forty mile bush, the other that the Waikatos are coming by way of Waipuna - Major Whitmore has sent some of the defence force there, and has written to Mr.Parsons, and other to come in, I cannot find out that there is much foundation for the rumours more than that some natives have arrived at Petene to a tangahanga, and that a few more have settled at Titao-kura for the purpose of cultivating, I am going to take a ride up there today - 'For who knows the thoughts of Waikato hoe kopapa' - This carrying on two weeks at once puts me out sometimes, being obliged to leave my men at Wainui - I have not seen my name in the Gazette as having been omitted I hope that though your interest I shall be able to get it put to rights, otherwise it will be a slur on my name as long as I stop in New Zealand. I should not mind so much if I had never got it - I heard that old Worgan is going to the Wairoa they are endeavouring to upset Hunter Brown it seems both with the natives and Europeans. We have very unpleasant weather here for the shearing there is no news stirring - I remain, Dear Sir, Your obt. servt., S. Locke Donald McLean Esqre. Auckland P.S. I have just heard that there are some natives who have been engaged in the war now at Moeangiangi digging up potatoes. S.L.