Napier Decr. 30th, 1871 Dear Sir, My reason for troubling you is to ask you if you could let me have the amount of Tareha's order soon as I am endeavouring to clear off all old scores and to buy either the house I live in or a place on the Plains - I am trying to clear off with Read the accounts I contracted with him to keep Surveyors going on East Coast I have been paying him ten per cent for that money and instead of taking a per centge from contract surveyors as Fenton said I forgave three of them all and paid their interest as they were trying to start a little farm etc. Old Hapuku grinned all over his face when he heard his pension was raised to a hundred a year. There will be a good deal of trouble with the Porangahau people before the Tamaki sale is quite concluded -Henare Matua is doing his worst. I shall meet them again soon. The surveys of reserves is still going on quietly. A strong feeling is growing up amongst the Maoris that they should be absorbed as it were in management of road Boards and local govt, or have their lands left out. Wishing you a happy new year, I remain, Yours very truly, S.Locke P. S. I enclose letter from Ngatiraukawa and other chiefs a letter in reference boundary between Ngatiraukawa, Ngatimaniapo to and Ngatituwharetoa - and another from te Aranui re meeting at Wa o tu - I cannot get any one to take Omahu school yet - There has been one offer Capt.Bower but he asks £150 a year. S.L.