New Plymouth 30th. Dec. 1854. My dear Sir, By the last Mail I sent you the best account I could obtain of the late sanguinary affray between the Ngatiruanui and Waitara Natives. On the afternoon of the day I wrote to you Mr. Skinner again visited them; and appeared to have prevailed on them to forego any further hostile proceedings, the Ngatiruanuis promising to return to their homes by the same route they had taken in coming up. On the following day however some information was brought up which raised our fears that they had changed their minds and on the next morning (Christmas) Mr. Skinner with Mr. Reimenschneider rode to their encampment and there found a great number bent on proceeding Southward by way of the coast, and as this would have been opposed by the Ngatiawas and might have led to more disastrous results every argument was brought to bear against such a determination by Messrs. Skinner and Riemensch-neider they could avail themselves of; and I am glad to say with success as before they left (about noon) the party broke up their encampment and set off on their march by the inland road through the forrest to their own district. Before starting they expressed themselves desirous that the quarrel should then end and wished Mr. R. to acquaint their opponents of their feeling towards them and their anxiety to receive from them a like declaration. Mr. R. has informed me that having seen some of the other party they replied on receiving this message "that they had been thinking the best way would be for the Ngatiruanui on their return to write to them to say that they wished the quarrel to be at an end when they would write them in reply that they had the same wish." We have heard no more of them since their departure. Ihaia came to the town on Thursday with about tweanty armed followers. He appears to be taken notice of by our friendly natives and his present position in connexion with Rawiri's party who have taken his part makes it very difficult to determine how to act towards him. When I first wrote informing the Officer administering the Government of Ihaia's having shot another Native I suggested that as he refused to give himself up to be dealt with by our laws he should be suspended from or struck off the list of Assessors. Yesterday I received from the Colonial Secretary an intimation that His Ex. approved of that suggestion. I think there can be no doubt that he should be so dealt with; at the same time it might not perhaps be prudent to take a step that might not only make him an enemy but perhaps weaken the friendly feeling of others who have been somewhat discontented of late by our refusals to interfere on behalf of Rawiri's family. Perhaps it will be better to defer for a time the acting on the Colonial Secretary's letter, so that the opinion of Mr. Turton, and perhaps the Assesors may be taken on it. I shall be most anxious to have your advice in this matter. By the steamer yesterday Major Nugent the Native Secretary arrived and I learn from Mr. Turton he comes here for the purpose of making enquiries into the late disturbances amongst the Natives. I forgot to mention that Katatori was very anxious for the Ngatiruanui's to return home coastwise evidently wishing to embroil them with the people of Rawiri and their friends at the Ua, Waiwakaiho kawau and Taranaki; but he does not appear to have acted with that treachery that has marked the conduct of Wiremu King. Pray present my kind regards with compts. of the season to Mrs. Strang and accept the same yourself from Mrs. Flight and my little girls as well as from Yours very faithfully Josiah Flight. D. McLean Esq., J.P., Wellington. P.S. Mr. Ritchie has been appointed Deputy Registrar of the Supreme Court with a Salary of £25 attached. This is a slight addition. He has nt yet what he deserves.