New Plymouth Feb. 27, 1861. My dear Sir, I duly received yours of the 20th. inst. after returning from Ngapuhi, and am glad to hear that the Natives of that part are peaceably inclined. There is a lull at present, but whether its the indication of a coming storm I confess I am at a loss to understand. One thing is quite certain, that the Natives of this part are heartily sick of it, as you will gather from W.K. Matakateus proposal. I have just heard that some of W. Kingi's natives of Waitara are desirous of coming over. You should furnish me with definite instructions for such cases, for the time it takes to communicate with you at Auckland might create great difficulty not kowing what is best to be done. Imprisonment I consider to be out of the question, if the secession of the Natives is to be encouraged. there is no doubt it is a very difficult question, when our fellow settlers are of opinion that nothing short of a War of races will suffice. I have had the pleasure of the company of Mr. Serancke for an hour on his way to the North. I shall feel great pleasure in having the compny of the Nat. Secretary if it is only 24 hours. It is a great shame that none of the Government authorities come to see us. Yours truly, R. Parris.