Letter from William Fox, Principal Agent, N.Z. Co, to the Honble, the Colonial Secretary dated 7th. September 1849, relative to the practice of leasing lands from the Natives in the Wairarapa Valley. New Zealand Company's Office, Wellington 7th. September 1849. Sir, I have the honor to call your attention to the continuance of the practice which, notwithstanding the Proclamations of the Local Government, still continues, - of taking leases of pasture lands from the Natives in, and adjacent to, the Wairarapa Valley. Two cases have recently come to my knowledge; one, of a party taking a Run on the Coast beyond the Wairarapa, at a very high rent likely to increase the avidity of the Natives; and to induce them to stand out for an extravagant price, when asked to sell, - the other, - of a party entering on a Run near the Lake, since the issue of the Proclamation; but whether agreed for previously to, or since, the Proclamation, I am not aware. Independently of the difficulties which the continuance of this practice throws in the way of the acquisition of a district of the utmost importance to the New Zealand Company, and this settlement, it operates most unfairly on such of the settlers in the Wairarapa, as from motives of loyalty and public spirit, decline (as several have) to treat with the Natives for new Runs, or extensions of those acquired by them before the Proclamation; while they see parties who set the Government and its edicts at defiance, stepping in between them, and the occupation of lands which they hoped, by legitimate means, to obtain possession of; if they could be placed at the disposal of the Company. Under these circumstances, I feel it to be my duty to request you to bring the matter before His Excellency, the Lieut. Governor; and to urge my request that he will cause immediate proceedings to be taken, under the Native Purchase Ordinance, against such parties as I have referred to. It will probably be necessary to send some one into the Valley, to collect evidence, - which I am informed may be easily got at, (if gone about with discretion), from the Natives themselves. On learning that His Excellency is willing to act on this application, I shall be prepared to specify more particularly the parties and localities to which I have referred. I have the honor to be, Sir Your most obedient servant (Signed) William Fox. To:- The Honble The Colonial Sec.