The principal Chiefs and claimants responded to this request, by declaring in most emphatic terms, that it was their firm and mature resolution, to part with their lands to the Government; and that they anxiously desired to participate in the various advantages they would derive from the settlement of a numerous European population amongst them. The Deed of Sale was then read over; the natives fully assenting to the boundaries, and other conditions therein specified, excepting two, - named Reihana, and Ngawaka; who, although agreeing to the general provisions of the Deed, requested, before attaching their signatures, to retain some large Reserves they had previously applied for, as communicated in my letter of the 10th. April; but which, from their extent, and position, I could not grant. I therefore gave these natives to understand that as ample Reserves were already provided for them, I could not now allow of those unnecessary ones, after my explicit determination to the contrary. George King, the Chief of Putikiwaranui, in addressing the Ngatiapa, remonstrated against such untimely applications being made for Reserves; when, to his knowledge, the district had been entirely surrendered to the Government at the previous Meetings, and public deliberations of their tribe. After a short discussion among the natives, I again read over the boundaries of the purchase, to which the whole of the claimants unanimously assented. Reihana and Ngawaka, coming forward amongst the first, to sign the Deed, remarking as they did so, to some few around them (who objected to their making such demands), that they merely wished to exact as much land as they could before holding the pen; which act, they very properly regarded as signifying their irretrievable consent to the final transfer of their land. On the 16th. the whole of the men, women and children of the Ngatiapa tribe, with the Officers and gentlemen who attended yesterday, made their appearance at an early hour, on the parade ground, where a tent with other conveniences were provided by Lieut. Smith, of the Royal Artillery, and the Officers of the 65th. The natives, having ranged themselves in the order in which they should be paid, I diverted their attention, especially those who were not present on the previous day, to the Deed of Sale, which was read over by Mr. Ronaldson, a young man connected with the Rev. Mr. Taylor's establishment; who afterwards assisted in writing on the Deed, the names of those natives who were only able to make their marks. The signing being finished, Abrahan Tipae, the Chief of Wangaehu, reminded the Ngatiapa of the necessity of adhering to the engagements now entered into, of