E.—No. 2a.

owners had met, and, beincr a runanga chosen for that year, agreed that they would still decline selling portions of their land within certain limits. Many of these people had previously sold very large tracts of land to the Government, to meet the wishes of the Europeans. Their letter to the Government was written and signed by the Chief William King. It is submitted that the letter itself is a respectful letter ; and this unfortunate! circumstance has taken place, that in the printed translation of the letter those respectful words at its conclusion are omitted, " My love, is this letter to you." A correct translation of the letter is herewith enclosed, as there is at least one other important omission in the printed translation, which is that which, it is believed, has been always laid before the Government. The object the natives had in making such an arrangement amongst themselves as is disclosed in this letter of William King's, is explained in their own language, in another native letter : — " It was settled so in consequence of your bad system of purchasing land. For we had lost numbers of our people through this same land purchasing." Whenever the Government shall have laid down some equitable system of land purchase, and when calm is once move restored, then the tribes who are for selling will sell their lands under a properly regulated system. G. Gkey. Auckland, New Zealand, 86th October, 1803.

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FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE WAITARA.