Napier June 18, 1869 Dear Sir, I suppose before this reaches you that the result will be known as to how the affairs of the country are to be managed. I have asked Major Green to telegraph to you that the natives would not go with Col.Lambert, because the government wanted only about seventy five -- or if they could get them even ten. Renata's people would not go at all, Renata said show me the enemy and I will go not otherwise Pene and Karaitiana's people said, if you send fifty Europeans and fifty Maoris, so that we can protect the place against attack we will go not otherwise, for as to the twenty or thirty workmen you have there we don't look upon them as soldiers, Col.Lambert and Hamilton are gone. I have written a letter signed A. B. in todays Herald showing the state of things here -- I send you enclosed the letters I got from Taupo also originals of Bigg's letters. I should like them back again. There are great diversions of opinion here as to how the division will be -- A general feeling with many is that there will be a coalition Ministry formed to save a dissolution. I see the ballot is likely to pass. If it should pass the Upper House, I trust it will be under Hares system. That Mr.Reynolds is a convert to Buchanan and to the question of the ballot -- I trust the day will come when the manner of selecting the legislative Council will be changed. I think they should be elected by a higher franchise, or by the House of Representatives from their own body from time to time with retired heads of departments of some note or a mixture of the two -- What does Mr.Gisborne intend to do with his Pakaututu run, as Paora Hapi, Paora Torotoro, and Tareha are claiming it and the rent and it is in the confiscated block -- There is a great mania for flax and its manufacture springing up here. I have written a leader for the Herald on the cultivation of flax -- It has often been said that Native affairs were at their worst but they were never in the fearful disorganized and general disturbed state they are now.in, more especially since this most disastrous affair at Opepe there is no word to express the mistake made -- Buchanan told me yesterday he did not know a word to express the blunder I think the letter A. B. today will about show the state of things here -- We want prompt measures, and theymust be with aneye on the general state of the question throughout the Island. The party directing should (figuratively) stand on the top of Ruapehu and take all in at once. No more patch work -- I should certainly say that Taupo ought to be occupied and strongly -- I wish you could carry out the idea of buying the forty mile bush through to Wairarapa and settle it -- Let Mr.Bright hare it -- I hear that Patara Kereopa's friend is an assessor at Taranaki. I remain, Yours truly, S. Locke