Sir Richard Bourke, K.C.B., Governor of New South. Wales, writes James Busby, Esq., of date April 13, 1833:—You will proceed to New Zealand in Ms Majesty's ship Imogene, commanded by Captain Blackwood, who has been requested, not only to afford you protection in case of any untoward event, but the countenance and support which the presence of one of his Majesty's ships of war is calculated to afford as well, upon your first arrival in the country, as during your conference with the chiefs. If your proposal to reside, in an accredited character, in New Zealand shall be received by the chiefs with satisfaction, which from the tenor of your address to his Majesty, there is little reason to doubt, you will confer with them as to the most convenient place for establishing your residence and claim their protection. If you find it necessary to offer such chiefs or grant any presents of considerable value, they shall be furnished on your application.

He is informed he cannot be clothed with legal power to arrest British subjects offending against the law, as an act to that effect had not been passed. He is counselled to rely upon his influence with the chiefs for enforcement of his measures. Transports, felons, and offenders from other colonies to be arrested and forwarded to Sydney. He was also exhorted by his mediation to prevent inter-tribal conflict and warfare.

Mr Busby, the new British Resident at New Zealand, arrived at the Bay of Islands in H.M. ship Imogens, May 5. Owing to the stormy state of the weather the ceremony of landing did not take place till Friday, the 17th, when the party landed and proceeded to the missionary village, a short distance from the beach. They were received by three white-headed chiefs, who, as the editor of the Sydney Gazette expresses it, rising in succession, welcomed them in a short speech, delivered with so much gesticulation as to resemble a dance. The main body of the chiefs and warriors then advanced with great noise and clamour; they were then arranged in a dense, but regular, body, when they commenced the war-dance of the country, wielding their muskets with great force, and going through evolutions; the tendency of their movements being to create a feeling of their power and force; after which they quietly seated themselves, when six or eight of the chiefs delivered in succession a short speech of welcome. The latest speakers making a way, the party advanced through the troops, preceded by one of the chiefs wives, in a kind of dance. As soon as the natives had passed they commenced firing their muskets and making a dreadful shouting. Amidst the smoke and noise the party made their way to an enclosure in front of the chapel, which is situated about the centre of the missionary village, where a table had been placed for the Europeans. Captain Blackwood was seated at Mr Busby's right hand, and there was a space for the Rev. H. Williams at his left, he, however, remaining standing. In the meantime a crowd of natives came pouring in, and Mr Williams and the other missionaries were employed in arranging them in a semicircle in front of the table, with their chiefs before them. When the chiefs had taken their places, Mr Busby rose and produced the following letter from the King, which he read, and a translation of which Mr Williams read in the New Zealand language:—

Lord Viscount. Goderich, one of the principal Secretaries of State to his Majesty the King of Great Britain, to the Chiefs of New Zealand.— Friends,—I am commanded by the King to acknowledge the receipt of the letter which you addressed to his Majesty, and which you entrusted to Mr William Yate to forward to England. The King is much gratified to find that the cause for alarm which appears to have existed at the time when page 24your letter was written has entirely passed away, and he trusts that no-circumstances may occur in future to interrupt the tranquility of New Zealand, which is so necessary to the maintenance of a close commercial intercourse between its inhabitants and those of Great Britain. The King is sorry for the injuries you inform him that the people of New Zealand have suffered from some of his subjects. But he will do all in his power to prevent the recurrence of such outrages, and to punish the perpetrators of them according to the laws of their country, whenever they can be apprehended and brought to trial; and the King hopes that mutual goodwill and confidence will exist between the people of both countries. In order to afford better protection to all classes, both natives of the island of New Zealand and the British subjects who may proceed, or be already established there, for purposes of trade, the King has sent the bearer of this letter, James Busby, Esq., to reside among you as his Majesty's Resident, whose duties will be to investigate all complaints made to him. It will also be his endeavour to prevent the arrival among you of men who have been guilty of crimes in their own country, and who may effect their escape from the place to which they have been banished, as, likewise, to apprehend such persons of this description as may be found at present at large. In return for the anxious desires which will be manifested by the British Resident to afford bis protection to the inhabitants of New Zealand against any acts of outrage which may be attempted against them by British subjects, it is confidently expected by his Majesty that, on your parts, you will render to the Resident that assistance and support which is calculated to promote the object of his appointment, and to extend to your country all the benefits which it is capable of receiving from its friendship and alliance with Great Britain.—I am, your friend, Goderich.

"Colonial Office, Downing street, June 14, 1833."

While his Majesty's letter was reading all the Europeans present rose and took off their hats, and remained standing and uncovered until it was finished. After this, about 15 of the chiefs delivered their sentiments in succession; and although their speeches contained little more than a welcome, they were delivered with abundance of animation and gesture. A blanket and several pounds of tobacco were then delivered to each of the 22 chiefs who were present.

After the assembly broke up, the Europeans of the party adjourned to the house of Mr H. Williams, where he entertained 50 persons with a cold collation, and in the meantime the native kitchens began to pour forth their contents. The strangers were seated round the plot, in front of Mr Williams's house, and the natives belonging to the missionary establishment, to the number of 30 or 40, began to bring in the viands. The potatoes were brought in small baskets, made for the occasion of a kind of flax, and which are never used a second time.

The joints of beef were carried in the hand, and the procession moved forward, everyone singing or shouting, and holding his or her portion as high as possible. The stranger natives were quiet spectators of the scene. They went and came in this order five or six times, and no sooner delivered their burdens than each tried to outstride his neighbour to obtain a fresh one After all the potatoes, beef, flour, and porridge had been brought in this manner, the leading natives of the mission divided them into portions, according to the number of the tribes. None of the strangers, however, moved from their seats till one of the stewards went round with a long rod and pointed to each tribe the portion allotted to it. Most of the beef and potatoes they carried to their canoes, and out of 600 who partook, in a very short time the greater part had departed to their homes.—Hobart Town Courier, July 26, 1833.

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Declaration of Independence proclaimed early in 1835. The ''Alligator went with Captain Lambert, and three different flags were presented to a number of the chiefs, and they chose one of their own, with the understanding Great Britain would acknowledge it and afford it protection. These flags being spread out before them, one was selected, and Mr Busby was established as. Resident from the time of giving the flag.—Captain R. Fitzroy, in Select Committee.