(undated copy) Sir, I do myself the honor to acquaint you, for the information of His Excellency, that a body of the Puketapus came in to the town yesterday, in expectation of meeting the Taranaki natives; who were expected to come up and receive payment for their land, that has been lately surveyed, as reported in my letter of the 17th. inst.,- intending to advance a claim for a share of the payment for the land, as compensation for their pigs that were killed by the Taranaki people in satisfaction for their woman that was taken from them, when on a friendly visit to Puketapu; and from the preparations made by the latter tribe, it was pretty evident if they met the Taranaki people and that their claim was not regarded, that an engagement would have ensued; the ultimate result of which, especially if the Puketapus were conquerors, would have endangered our settlement; by subjecting it, under their excitement, to the despoilation of a tribe who have never evinced any symptoms of friendship to the Europeans. [unsigned copy.] Taranaki New Plymouth. September 2nd. 1847. Sir, I do myself the honor to acquaint Your Excellency that the arrangements with the Taranaki natives, for land adjoining that awarded by Mr. Spain, to the Company, and estimated to contain twelve thousand acres, 12.000, have been this day concluded,- the natives having executed the Deed, and received the first instalment. Having previously reported through the Colonial Secretary, that I had a Meeting with the Taranaki natives, at which they unanimously agreed to dispose of the said land,- it may be unnecessary for me, at present, to enter into the various details respecting the purchase; as the vessel sails early in the morning; but shall briefly confine myself to the principal circumstances connected with it; and shall despatch a Policeman with the further details and a copy of the Deed, direct to Auckland; and merely forward this hurried communication, in case Your Excellency may have left there for the Southern settlements. After a careful enquiry amongst the natives, I have ascertained that the Taranaki natives are the principal and only claimants to the land; and that the Puketapu natives,- who have for the last seven years, cultivated there, have done so only by sufferance; their right never being acknowledged by the owners of the land. [unsigned copy.]