New Plymouth July 6, 1857. Dr, Sir, The Wonga Wonga being about to leave I hasten to write this short epistle. Having accepted the appointment of "Native Land Purchase Commissioner" I now wait for your instructions, as intimated in the correspondence from the Government. The present cannot be deemed to be an official document as I have not been duly appointed you will therefore please Sir to excuse the hurried manner in which it is penned to be in time for the Steamer, as I am anxious to hear from you by the Steamers return. I have seen your last letter to Ihaia with which they seem pleased, and I am happy to say expresses the Opinion I have always had upon the subject. News of the Waikato meeting has reached our Natives, a Chief from that quarter by name Nugent, has written to Wm. King requesting him and Katatore to join them in proclaiming a King, but Wm. King has sent an answer declining to have any thing to do with the movement. I fully expect the Provincial Govt. will frequently be requiring my services, for different arrangements with Natives, I should therefore feel obliged for information on this subject, to know if there is any objection to my rendering assistance at any time in Provincial matters, a question has just arose which the Superintendent applied to me for my services but I referred him to the Genl. Govt. before he took any steps relative to the same which he consented to do, the question was that of leasing the land at Ngatiruanui of the Natives for runs, Mr. Imley, Mr. Good and others having reported that the Natives were anxious to do so. The Superintendent applied to me to go down and ascertain if the Natives were willing to lease the land, but having accepted the appointment under the Genl. Govt. I declined considering it more advisable for the Provincial Govt. to ascertain first the desire of the Genl. Govt. upon the subject which they have consented to do. Te Puni's Natives have fenced in the land inland of the Devon road on to the Hua block, I should thank you to inform me what arrangment you are disposed to come to with them, as they purpose to plant Potatoes on that Land and if anything could be done to get them to an arrangement before hand it would be better. Hoping to hear from you by the return of the Steamer, I remain Sir, Your obdt. Servant, Robert Parris. To D. McLean Esq., Auckland.