Napier July 30th. 1867. Sir, Since Your Honors departure nothing of political consequence has occurred - the prevailing topics are money and the measles - the former is still very scarce and the latter very prevalent, but not of a dangerous description. I regret to inform you that Capt. McLeans House was burnt down on the same day as you left for Wellington - it was however insured for £500 - 0 - 0. Mr. Campbells Hotel and 2 Houses on the White Road have also been burnt. You will see the particulars in the Herald of 23rd. Inst. Mr. Miller behaved very well. The fire Engine was not brought into play owing to insufficiency of piping. The Rev. E. Reigner has succeeded in obtaining the land this side of Waitangi purchase money I hear is to be £1000. The natives are very anxious to sell land anywhere and everywhere - to raise funds to meet their liabilities. Mr. Locke is to be married on Thursday 1st. Proxo. Most of Mr. Rhodes family are laid up with the measles several elderly persons have got them amongst whom I may mention Mr. Kennedy and Mrs. Oliver - both of whom are dangerously ill. Every person here is very pleased with the manner in which Mr. Stafford mentioned Your Honor in his memo: when treating on the action taken by you in the Omaranui affairs ''as if there could be any other opinion than one''. The Waitangi Bridge will be finished to-morrow, and the piles and most of the stringers are fixed for the Meanee Bridge and a great number of piles driven for the breastwork. Mr. Harding has failed in fulfilling his contract for printing - he had the Acts in hand for nearly 2 weeks - I had to write to him every day - at last I laid the matter before Mr. Rhodes - and under his direction I saw Mr. Wood & he agreed to do the printing at just the same price with a very immaterial difference. Your Honor will see when signing the Acts the dissimilarity between Mr. Woods (sheep and scab amdt. act) which I was obliged to get him to print in order to be able to send the whole by the Mail Steamer on the 1st. proximo - and Mr. Hardings other acts both in quality of paper - type and general appearance. 3 Diggers came from Auckland lately and started inland next day in search of gold. I had a long conversation with the 2 Sweeneys - and they are so hopeful of final success that they intend to start up again in about 2 months -they say the snow is too deep to attempt anything yet - in their exploring they went so far as to turn the courses of creeks - they found the colour of gold in almost every place they searched - they say they believe there will be a great extent of fine washing stuff to be found if properly looked for. Will Your Honor please recollect to get Hapukas and Tarehas salaries placed to your credit as conv. it is a very useful fund. I enclose a report of a meeting of shipowners in reference to boiling down Stock. You will find it interesting. Mr. Wood published it in the Herald of the 30th. Inst. I am afraid the prospect of Napier being supplied with Water - by means of Artesian Wells is a failure - in sinking 2 wells on the Reserve opposite Mr. Gills Hotel - they bored thro' one rock and then broke the pipes in the next - sunk the next at Moretons Public House - 1/4 of a mile on the White Road - broke pipes - next at Clive Square - the same happened there and lastly tried on the beach between the two lagoons - with a like Result. The Govt. were at no expense in the matter as Mr. Weber agreed - no water - no money. There is nothing more that I can at present recollect to inform Your Honor of. I have the honor to be Sir Your most obt. Svt. Geo. Thos. Fannin. Mr. Rourke I presume in accordance with Your Honors directions forwards your letters. Aug. 1st. Tareha has agreed to sell the Papakura Block for £9000 - £300 cash down and the remainder big instalments extending over a term of 3 years Mr. A'Deane has not returned the Acts - likelihood of another heavy flood raining for 2 days. Your obt. Svt. Geo. W. Fannin.