Letter from Ngatiapa asking for arms and ammunition.

"This is a letter from all the Ngatiapa, residing between Rangitikei and Wangaehu, to Dr. Featherston, the Superintendent of Wellington.

Father Featherston, salutations. Mr. Buller has arrived, and we have had a meeting with him. We have heard your message respecting Rangitikei: Enough, we the Ngatiapa have consented, we are true to the agreement we made with you. We will not depart from our terms.

Now listen, if the hand of the Ngatiraukawa should touch the sheep or the cattle of the Pakeha, the difficulties will greatly increase, because then fighting will be sure to arise. Don't have any misgivings about your own people the Ngatiapa. We are of the same mind as the Wanganui people; Hoani Hipango, for example, and Hemi Nape, both of whom died in your service.

Here is another matter. We are glad on account of Mr. Buller's visit and the opportunity we have had of meeting him. he visited our new Pa at Turakina, and we then applied to him to obtain from the Goverment, guns and powder for the protection of our three Pas.

Don't suppose that we want to use this ammunition against the Ngatiraukawa. Not so; because the Rangitikei dispute is now entirely in your hands; we want it for our own protection against the cannibal people, the Hauhaus.

Let our friend Mr. Buller distribute the guns and powder, because he is acquainted with all of us. Let Mr. Buller also furnish this letter to you. Ended.

From all the Chiefs of Ngatiapa.