Wairoa April 24th 1865 My dear Sir Since I wrote my last of the 22nd another meeting has taken place between the natives of each side and they were very nearly coming to blows. it appears that Te Kopus people were rather suspicious of the intentions of the Hau Haus and were holding their guns with their hands on the locks which rather frightened the other party who commenced their prayer to their Atua and also got ready for a fight - I am glad to say that most of them have left Matiti today, but I cannot yet find out whether they are going direct home or to Pa-Whakairo Mr. Locke perhaps may have heard something more - I would wish to call your Honors attention to another subject. it appears that the natives on the other side living near Carrols have been selling grog in a most open manner, Mr. Hamlin will tell you what he saw, I really do not know what to do to stop it as I was told pretty plainly by Hamana today that the natives could sell on their own land I wish you would kindly advise me in the matter, as it becoming a most serious evil. I am convinced although it would be very dificult to prove, that a great deal of the liquor goes through Carrol but as I have no I can do nothing in the matter. I have spoken to him and warned him on the subject some time back - Only last night, Sunday, Kurauria and a few others were mad with drink and caused a great deal of alarm in the place by shouting and firing their guns all night long - It is very little good te Kopu doing anything in the matter as they wont listen to him, and I am inclined to think that Carrol has been telling them that they can do what they please on their own land. I do not intend saying anything more to him on the subject till I can get that he is at the bottom of it all - It is most shameful of the Napier people supplying Grog in such quantities regardless of the safety of individuals living in an unprotected way in out districts - The Hau Haus were about two thirds of them drunk during their stay here and it is really very dangerous - I have written to Major Lambert about the D.F. here I dont know my position relative to them. I cannot be their commanding Officer as I am R. M. and as such have really no authority over them - They have fortunately behaved with a few exceptions very well indeed otherwise I dont know what I should have done with them - I should like if possible to discharge those who misbehave as I find that I could replace them with better men - could I get your authority to that effect. I have put a few natives on for a few nights as a Patrol, I did it with the advice of Mr Locke, I wrote to Mr Cooper, on the subject. April 26. Some people have just arrived from Turanga and report things as getting a little quieter, some of the Hau Haus are returning to their old religion and they express a determination not to interfere with settlers but they wont have the Missionaries there - everything is going on well here. I am my dear Sir Faithfully yours S. Deighton