MEMORANDUM ON THE NATIVE QUESTION BY THE SUPERINTENDENT OF TARANAKI, AND CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO RAISING A BODY OF MAORI TROOPS FOR FOREIGN SERVICE.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1863 Session I, E-18

E.—No. 18

MEMORANDUM ON THE NATIVE QUESTION BY THE SUPERINTENDENT OF TARANAKI, AND CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO RAISING A BODY OF MAORI TROOPS FOR FOREIGN SERVICE.

PRESENTED TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, BY LEAVE GRANTED, 24th NOVEMBER, 1863.

(Mr. Atkinson.)

AUCKLAND.

1863.

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MEMORANDUM on the peesent condition op the Noethebn Island of New Zealand, AS EEGAEDS THE EELATIONS OF THE TWO EACES INHABITING IT, AND ON A POSSIBLE SOLUTION OF THE EXISTING DIFFICULTIES. At tlie invitation of the Native Minister I offer my views for the consideration of the Government. My opinions as to the manner in which the Natives have been affected by the past action of the Government, and the probable results of a different course in the future, are based on a personal knowledge of the Native character, acquired during an intercourse with the Natives extending over twenty years, and in the course of which I had dealings with all the tribes between the Waipa and Waingaroa on the North, and Wairarapa on the South. The present condition of the Native race, as regards their relations amongst themselves, is a very near approach to absolute anarchy; for, although they have elected a king, and imitate some of the forms of civilised Governments, there is no power adequate to ensure the execution of the orders either of the king or his officers. The only circumstances in which the King shows any appearance of strength is that his name is a convenient symbol for opposition to the Queen's authority, and to all attempts on our part to establish law and order amongst them from without. I attribute this state of decided opposition to the Queen's authority to a variety of causes, of which the principal are : 1. The love of complete independence and freedom from all restraint, inherent in all savage races, and more especially in those of the highest natural endowments. 2. Jealousy of the increasing numbers and growing power of our race, greatly increased by a want of confidence in our ultimate good intentions towards them, resulting from want of frankness and sincerity on the part of the Government. 3. The mixture of blandishment and ill-disguised fear with which they have usually been treated by the Government. 4. The fact that, though professing to consider the natives as subjects of the Queen, little or no attempt has been made to enforce the law in cases where Natives only were concerned, which has given the best and most intelligent Natives good reason to consider that the Government would run no risk whatever to protect Her Majesty's Native subjects ; and that if they wanted real Government, they must establish it for themselves. 5. The character of the new institutions which it has been attempted to introduce, and which the Natives regard as chiefly intended to bribe the greatest possible number of their leading men into quietness, until we shall have increased sufficiently to deal with them in other ways. There are, of course, many different lines of policy which might be adopted in the present position of affairs. Many persons believe that a war commenced for the purpose of punishing the tribes who have been in arms against the Queen, and of demonstrating at last and completely our superior strength, even though it should lead to general hostilities throughout the North Island, and great losses of property, is the only possible way of establishing a firm Government, and that due notiee having been given of our intentions beforehand, it would be right to confiscate from the tribes which should fight against us, territories of sufficient value to cover fully all the cost of the war. It is not, however, my purpose to enquire whether the above opinions are correct or not, as neither the colony nor the mother country is prepared to take upon itself voluntarily the responsibility of such a war. Putting, therefore, such a course as this entirely out of the question, we may either continue something like the wavering and insecure line of policy hitherto adopted, conceding everything that is demanded to avoid war, and keeping up an empty pretence of authority, which we cannot or dare not enforce ; or we may totally change this, and dealing with the facts as they are, acknowledge the actual independence of the Maoris beyond the limits of our settlements, and give them assistance in establishing institutions of real self-government. An opportunity was given by the Home Government in framing the Constitution Act, for carrying out a system of policy based on such a recognition of the actual independence of the Maoris, and had it been taken advantage of, I believe that they would by this time have made great progress towards a regular and efficient administration of law. When the Colony was divided into Provinces, no Province should have included within its limits portions of land in which the Native title had not been extinguished ; lands not alienated to the Crown, should, as far aa possible, have been brought under the operation of the 71st Clause of the Constitution Act. The Natives within the British Provinces should have had every facility given them for exercising the rights and privileges of British subjects ; whilst those on the unalienated lands should have been encouraged to form themselves into Native Provinces, a revenue being placed at the disposal of each Native Province, in proportion to its inhahitants, and to the Customs revenue derived from the Native population. What was not done then, should, I think, be attempted now in a modified form, although the circumstances are in many ways far less favourable for the trial.

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The greatest obstacle, an obstacle so great that it will be difficult to obtain even consideration for any new proposal, is the rooted distrust to the Government which has taken possession of the minds of Maoris, and has been manifested of late in various ways. The only hope that I can see of removing or lessening this distrust, is by a clear and full statement to them of the view which we take of the present condition of affairs, and of the probable results to both races of a general war. In this statement we must freely admit our own weak points,—such as the great loss of property that would ensue from a war, and its great costliness; but it must also be clearly shown that war once entered on, there will be no alternative but to continue fighting until the Maori is thoroughly conquered, and we can pay expenses by confiscating large tracts of land. It must then be explained that we perfectly admit that without a war, which we intend to use every effort to avoid, the Natives are virtually independent and free to choose their own form of Government; but that it is necessary for both races that they should establish an efficient Government of some kind ; and that we will allow them their full share of the revenue for its support. Many other matters would suggest themselves on consideration that it would be right to say at such a time, and in order to undo as far as possible the evil effects of past insincerity. Another obstacle to the adoption of any general scheme at the present time, is the critical position of affairs at Taranaki. I would propose to obviate this by retiring for the present from the occupation of Tataraiinaka, my reasons for which recommendation I shall presently give. The following is a rough outline of the conditions and limitations under which the independence of the Natives should be admitted. 1. The majority of every tribe (of sufficient size and importance) to choose its own chief Magistrate (or King) and form of Government, and to administer the revenue allotted to it. ' 2. Any number of tribes to be free to combine under one Sovereign and Government. 3. All laws of the Native Councils (or acts on specified subjects) to be reserved for the Governor's assent. 4. All Europeans offending within the limits of the Maori Provinces to be subject to the laws of the Province, and vice ve>-sa. 5. In no case the punishment of death to be inflicted without the warrant of the Governor. 6. No land to be purchased from any Native in the Native Provinces without the consent of the Government of the Province, unless in such Province a law shall have been enacted and carried into effect for the iudividualisation of the title of land. 7. Except within European boundaries, no native shall be paid any salary by Government, nor shall any expenditure for Native purposes take place except as provided. 8. Both races shall be free to travel anywhere. 9. The title of the "Waitara land to be publicly reinvestigated and finally determined. As to the character of the Maori race, and its fitness for self-government, I believe the Natives have, like ourselves, talent, energy, industry, ambition, and courage, that we cannot develope their good qualities for them, but that they may probably develope them for themselves, if we will recognise them as men, instead of attempting to nurse and rule them as children. The attempt to rule them by paid Assessors and forced attempts at expensive cultivation, will as surely fail with the Maoris as it does with any race of strong intellectual powers—as surely as it fails with our own race; and the action of a paternal Government on the Anglo-Saxon as contrasted with self-government is well shewn by the lingering progress of this colony under irresponsible Government, and its astonishing vitality and progress since the Constitution Act came into operation. The Natives have given in one of the road districts of this Province, where they hold individual titles, a proof of their capacity, by meeting the settlers of the districts, a smaller number than themselves, rating with them a Eoad Kate of Sixpence an acre, and electing two Europeans and one Native as Commissioners to expend the money. The strongest proof in my opinion of the natural good sense of the New Zealander is afforded by the fact, that with all his energy and all his ability, instead of reducing the Maoris to the state of the Natives at Paraguay, under the Jesuits, the Bishop of New Zealand has only succeeded in deservedly diminishing his own influence. If some such terms as I have suggested were accepted, I believe it would be found practicable to consolidate this settlement, on the North side, should the Waitara purchase be pronounced good, by the purchase of the intervening land, if otherwise, a compact boundary on that side exists ; on the South, the Tataraimaka Block and Tuakai Eange might probably be exchanged for the Tapuae Block ; further I believe no difficulty would be found, in making it a condition of agreement that all plunder taken on both sides in the late war should be returned or paid for. If some such radical change as I propose is not attempted, but things are allowed to drift on without any vigorous effort to bring about a good understanding with the Natives, founded on a sound basis of fact, I see little hope of avoiding a general war, by any possible amount of concession or delay. The Natives all over the Island are fully prepared to rise at once if a disturbance involving loss of life takes place anywhere, and the state of feeling of the two races is such that such an occurrence may take place anywhere, at any time, and take the settlers in other parts of the Island by surprise ; added to this, is the special cause of irritation in this Province, that the Tataraimaka Block has been re-occupied before Waitara title was reinvestigated, and it was with the view of avoiding the difficulties and complications thus arising, that I recommended His Excellency and the Native Minister that the Tataraimaka Block should not be re-occupied till the spring. . . . '. It may be said that the disposal of this especial cause for irritation is easy by retiring from the occupation of Tataraimaka or Waitara.

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MINUTE ON THE NATIVE QUESTION

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The Tataraimaka Block was purchased by the Crown, and has been occupied for years by th settlers ; the Governor has claimed it as his own, has occupied it, and can re-occupy it again. I se a difficulty, but not a great one, in retiring from it. As regards the Waitara, the late and present Governors have both declared that the investigation of title to the land claimed by Teira should be completed, this has not yet been done, and to give up the Block without a public investigation would bo construed into nothing but a sign of our inability to hold it. One point that will certainly be raised by the Natives, in the event of negociations taking place under existing circumstances is, that the occupation of Tataraimaka before the AVaitara question was disposed of, was premature, and that it must therefore be abandoned. Failing that objection, transit across the Tapuae Block to Tataraimaka will be forbidden. This can only be met by sending supplies coastwise, which would necessitate the service of a small steamer with a friendly port to rim into in bad weather. Waitara out of our hands, the nearest port of refuge would be sixty miles off. Admitting however, that Waitara could be made use of, is the Government prepared to go on for an indefinite time to maintain a coast service for 4,000 acres of land ? In conclusion I may state, that my sense of the extremely precarious condition of our relations with the Natives at the present time is such, that I believe not a day should be suffered to pass by without taking the preparatory steps for the course which I propose, and I prefer to transmit this very hasty and very imperfect sketch of my views, than to spend time now in elaborating it, as the scheme may be matured at leisure after the first overtures have been made. Charles Brown, Superintendent. Superintendent's Office, New Plymouth, 2nd May, 1863.

CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO THE ENROLMENT OF NATIVE TROOPS FOR FOREIGN SERVICE.

No. 1. ME. CHARLES BROWN TO THE HONORABLE THE COLONIAL SECRETARY. New Plymouth, New Zealand, Sth February, 1858. Sir, — I have the honor to enclose for transmission through ITis Excellency the Governor, a communication to the Eight Honorable the Secretary of State for the Colonies recommending the raising of Troops in New Zealand from among the Native subjects of Her Majesty for service at the Cape of Good Hope or in India. I hope the proposition will meet with the approval and support of His Excellency's Government, as one likely to benefit the Natives themselves, and to benefit the Colony by the removal of the most troublesome, till the Colonists have a greater numerical superiority, and are able to maintain the supremacy of our rule, laws, and customs, for the benefit of both races. Among the Natives themselves I am known and respected from Whaingaroa on the West Coast to Wairarapa on Cook's Straits. About twelve years ago I joined a war party of over a thousand men, arming many of them myself, to defend Waitotara from a threatened attack by Taupo and other tribes. During my tenure of office as Superintendent I obtained the restitution of a gun from a Native (Karipa) that no influence of the General Government had been able to obtain ; and the records of the Colonial Office will shew that I induced an armed party of Ngatiruanui natives who were coming into New Plymouth, and were at war with the Natives in this locality, to leave their arms at the Southern boundary and come into New Plymouth, for trading purposes, unarmed, on my personal guarantee of their safety. I have, &c, Charles Brown, Captain of the New Plymouth Battalion of New Zealand Militia. The Honorable the Colonial Secretary, Auckland.

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BY THE SUPERINTENDENT OF TARAN_\ XI.

E.—No. 18

Enclosure to No. 1. ME. CHARLES BROWN TO THE RIGHT HON. THE SECEETAET OF STATE. New Plymouth, New Zealand, 8th February, 1858. Sib,— I have the honor to submit for the consideration and approval of Her Majesty's Government that troops be raised from among Her Majesty's native subjects in this colony for service at the Cape of Good Hope or in India. The Natives are now a source of uneasiness to the Colonial Grovernment and settlers, 'and are likely to require for some time the presence of a considerable body of English troops to maintain the peace of the colony if some new direction is not given to the energies and aspirations of the native youth, who find themselves from a variety of causes —in which the disparities' of the sexes and their own native customs, habits, and superstitions bear a great part —unable to keep pace with the Europeans, and barely even of maintaining their own positions. The proposition I make would, I conceive, if adopted, give a congenial occupation to many of the Natives, teach them our language, break them off their native habits and customs, promote their civilisation, and greatly relieve the Home and Colonial Governments of the increased anxieties their presence in the colony would occasion. In my late official capacity I found the Native Police more obedient under discipline than would be readily imagined, considering the proximity of their native friends and relations ; and in my intercourse with the Natives, now extending over many years, I have found them trustworthy, truthful, patient, and reasonable—honesty the rule, dishonesty the exception, active in travelling and in the use of their arms, and able to undergo great hunger and fatigue. I believe them capable, under good officers, of making excellent troops, more especially in a warm climate, as I think the race originally a tropical one. Upwards of five thousand men might be raised if the influences that might be brought to bear were made use of, and a judicious distribution of commissions made to chiefs and sons of chiefs who might lend their assistance. The embodiment, however, of one regiment would be an advisable limit to commence with what to a great extent must be considered an experiment, and on this point, as indeed the whole subject, I would defer to the opinion of his Excellency Sir George Grey, who had it under consideration while Governor of New Zealand, at the time the Native Force Ordinance was passed, making provision for the maintenance of discipline in any troops raised in the Colony, and who can best judge of the fitness of such troops for service at the seat of his present Government, the Cape of Good Hope. Should my proposition be acted on, I beg to offer my services in raising and commanding a portion of the force. i I have, &c, • Charles Brown, Captain of the New Plymouth Battalion of New Zealand Militia. The Eight Honorable the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 2. THE HONORABLE THE COLONIAL SECEETAET TO MR. CHARLES BROWN. Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, 22nd March, 1858. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 8th ultimo, enclosing for transmission to the Eight Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies a communication, recommending the raising of Troops from among Her Majesty's native subjects in New Zealand^ for service at the Cape of Good Hope or in India. In reply, I have to inform you that that communication and a copy of your letter have been forwarded by the Governor to the Secretary of State. I have, &c, E. "W. Stafford. C. Brown, Esq., New Plymouth.

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No. 3. COPT OF DESPATCH FROM GOTEHXOB GORE EKOW:NE, C. B., TO THE MIGHT HONORABLE H. LABOUCIIEUE, M.P. ■ Government House, Auckland, 20th March, 1858. SlB,— J have the honor to forward a letter from Mr. Charles Brown, formerly Superintendent of the Province of New Plymouth, in which he recommends the raising of troops from among the Natives of New Zealand for service at the Cape of Good Hope or in India, and offering himself to raise and command them. 2. I have had the subject long under consideration, and consulted several persons best capable of giving me correct information. I will now state the conclusion at which I have arrived. 3. I have no doubt that the Natives of this country will make excellent soldiers in the field. They are brave, enduring, and in bush fighting superior to our own troops. No light troops can exceed them. On the other hand, they are changeable, capricious, and torn by tribal animosities. I doubt, and so also does the Native Secretary, whether they would serve for the same pay as that given to the soldiers of the line ; but this could only be proved by experiment. 4. Having served with irregular troops in the East, and had them occasionally under my command, I am satisfied thai; (the material being good) the whole efficiency depends entirely on the officer who commands them. It is not sufficient that he. should possess the respect of his men ; ho must have intimate acquaintance with them, and be able to rely on their attachment to him, and the officers under him. Such men were the late Colonel Skinner, whose influence for good or evil was unlimited, and General Jacob, who, I believe, still commands the Scinde Horse. When the officers have this moral influence, irregular troops are invaluable, and when they have it not, they are too often a curse to the country in which they are quartered. 5. There is a gentleman in New Zealand, Mr. Drummond Hay, who has served with irregular troops in Algeria, and is, I think, perfectly fit for such a command. He is the only person I know of at present who is qualified for such an arduous duty. I consulted him upon the subject long since, and he expressed an ardent desire for such a service, but his intimate knowledge of the Natives led him to see many difficulties. Among these he enumerated that of inducing men of one tribe to serve with those of another, or under non-commissioned officers of another ; the doubt that they would accept the usual pay; the possibility of their growing weary of service and becoming discontented; the suspicions which would be roused if the letters to their friends in New Zealpjid were unsatisfactory ; the desertions which might then take place ; the necessity for immediate embarkation after they were enrolled. 6. Having stated these difficulties, I beg to say that I do not think them insuperable, and if Her Majesty's Government approve, I shall be glad to try the experiment. 7. In order to make it successful, however, I must be armed with full and distinct instructions from you, and be able to publish in Maori the conditions of service, including pay, allowance, and pension, time of service, gratuity for good couduct, wounds, &c., the supply of uniform, and the payment of passage back to New Zealand, as well as from it. 8. I would submit that paj, pension, and allowances shoald be precisely the same as in the line, and that, instead of bounty, uniform and kit complete should be supplied at Her Majesty's expense, that service should not exceed seven years, after which free passage should be granted back to New Zealand. Pensions to be given as in the line after a longer service. In reference to officers, I would submit the name of Mr. Drummond Hay, who should have rank not lower than that of Captain, with promise of promotion after a definite time. Believing, as I do, that everything depends on the special fitness of the Commanding Officer, I should be inclined to leave him unfettered in the selection of his officers, both European and Native. The former I should limit to three and a'doctor, besides the Commanding Officer; the latter should have rank and pay liko the Native Officers of irregular corps in India. It would not be safe to have a less number than the above of European officers, because, a knowledge of the Maori language being indispensable, vacancies could only be supplied from New Zealand. The advantages to be offered to the officers should be specified in detail. I should also be empowered to take up transport without delay, for many reasons would prevent my wishing to have such a force idle in New Zealand. 9. Finally, I would recommend the Cape of Good Hope as the destination of the corps, for the Maoris are with good reason much attached to Sir George Grey, and would readily serve imder him, especially if he were appointed their Colonel. 10. Should you approve the experiment, (for experiment it will be,) I will use every exertion to make it successful, and would suggest that, as a commencement, I may be instructed to raise a " Eoyal Maori Corps," to consist of not more than 600, and not less than 300 rank and file, and as the difficulty of communication is so great, perhaps all the Commissions might be left for me to fill up. 11. A larger number of women must be permitted to accompany their husbands than is usual with the Queen's troops. If settlement on the frontier is contemplated, they ought not to be limited, as the families are very small in New Zealand. I have, &c, T. Goee Browne. P.S. —A copy of this despatch has been forwarded to Sir George Grey, at the Cape of Good Hope, who will probably communicate with you on the subject. T. G. B.

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E.—No. 18

No. 4. ME. CHARLES SBOWS TO HIS EXCELLENCY SIE GEORGE GREY, K.C.I!. New Plymouth, New Zealand, 8th February, 1S58. Sib,— I have the honor to transmit for the information of your Excellency, a copy of a communication to the Eight Honorable the Secretary of State for the Colonies recommending the raising of Native troops in this Colony for service at the Cape of Good Hope or in India. As your Excellency's opinions on the subject are referred to in it in your former capacity as Governor of this Colony, and in your present one of Governor of the Cape of Good Hope, I have taken the liberty of forwarding direct the enclosed; also that your Excellency may have an early opportunity, should you deem it desirable, of affording the Home Government the benefit of your valuable views, and opinions on the subject, which I imagine long since received the full consideration of your Excellency in all its details, and which I have revived at this time, considering it a favorable one for developing the capacity of any of Her Majesty's subjects to defend the Empire. I have, &c, Chables Bbowx, Captain of the New Plymouth Battalion of New Zealand Militia. His Excellency Sir George Grey, K.C.B., &c, " &c, &c", Cape of Good Hope.

No. 5. MB. C. J. BOYLE TO ME. CHARLES BEOWX. Government House, Cape Town, 5th July, 185S. Sib, — T am desired by His Excellency the Governor to acknowledge your letter of the 8th of February last, transmitting a copy of a communication to the Eight Honorable the Secretary of State for the Colonies, recommending the raising of Native Troops in New Zealand for service at the Cape of Good Hope or in India. In reply I have to inform you that His Excellency has written home a despatch upon the subject, in which he states his belief that the New Zealanders would make excellent soldiers, and thai you yourself could be relied on as a good and energetic Officer, and that for many reasons it would be advantageous to enrol such regiments ; but that, as there are already so many races in this Colony, His Excellency would deem it unadvisable expressly to raise a New Zealand Eegiinent for service at the Cape of Good Hope, although there would be no objection to such a Eegiment being raised for general service and coming here for the usual time in the ordinary course of military relief. I have, &c, Chables J. Boyle, Private Secretary. C. Brown, Esq., Taranaki, New Zealand.

No. 6. copy of DESPATCH feoii sir e. b. lytton, baet., to goveenok goee bbowite, c.b. Downing Street, 26th July, 1858. Sib, — With reference to your despatch No. 20, of the 20th of March last, respecting a proposal made by Mr. Charles Brown, for raising in New Zealand a body of Native troops for service, either at the Cape of Good Hope or in India, I transmit for your information copies of a correspondence which has passed upon the subject between this office and the War Department. I have, &c, E. B. Lytton.

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Enclosure 1 in No. 6. MB. MEBIVALE TO SIR. E. HA"WES, K.C.B. Downing Street, 6th July, 1858. Sib,— I am directed by Secretary Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton to transmit to you the copy of a letter from the Governor of New Zealand respecting a proposal made by Mr. C. Brown, formerly Superintendent of the Province of New Plymouth, and now a Captain of Militia in that district, for raising a body of Native- troops for foreign service, either at the Cape of Good Hope or in ] ndia. You will observe that, should this proposal be adopted, it is intended as a preliminary step, and before a larger force be embodied, to raise a "Royal Maori Corps," of not more than 600 nor less than 300 rank and file; that the Governor asks for the fullest instructions as to the conditions of service, and that he suggests that the selection of officers, European and Native, should be left to the officer in command of the Regiment, which, for the reasons specified, he recommends should be employed at the Cape of Good Hope. I am to request that you will submit these papers for the consideration of the Secretary of State for War, and move him to inform Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton whether he considers it desirable to entertain this proposal. I am, &e., Herman Mebivale. Sir B. Hawes, K.C.B.

Enclosure 2 in No. 6. SIE II. STORKS TO MR. MERITALE. War Office, 16th July, 1858. Sib, — I have laid before the Secretary of State for War your letter of the 6th instant, forwarding a despatch and its enclosure from the Governor of New Zealand on the subject of a proposal to raise a body of Native troops for service at the Cape of Good Hope. I am desired to request that you will acquaint Secretary Sir E. B. Lytton in reply, that Major-General Peel considers that the account given by the Governor of the character and disposition of the Maoris is not sufficiently encouraging to justify a trial of this experiment. He would however, be glad to be furnished with any report on the subject which may lie received from Sir George Grey, to whom it appears that Governor Gore Browne has communicated a copy of his despatch, as, from the experience Sir George Grev has had both at New Zealand and at the Cape of Good Hope, any opinion he may form with regard to this proposal would be peculiarly valuable. I have, &c, H. R. Stoeks. H. Merivale, Esq.

Enclosure 3 in No. 6". MB. MEBIVALE TO SIB B. HAWES, K.C.B. Downing Street, July, 1858. Sib, — In reply to your letter of the 16th instant, I am directed by Secretary Sir Edward Bulwer Lvtton to request that you will state to the Secretary of State for War, that no report has yet been received from Governor Sir George Grey on the expediency of raising a corps of Maoris in New Zealand for service at the Cape of Good Hope, but that whenever such a report may arrive it will be forwarded to the War Department. I am, &c, H. Mebttaie. Sir B. Hawes, K.C.B.

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No. 7. THE SUPERINTENDENT OF TAEANAKI TO THE HON. THE COLONIAL SECEETAET. Superintendent's Office, New Plymouth, 17th October, 1863. Sib — In reference to my memorandum of the 2nd of May last, on the subject of the Native Question in this Island, I have the honor to bring under the notice of the Government the enclosed correspondence with the General Government and with His Excellency the Governor of the Cape of Good Hope, in the year 1858, which bears on the same subject as my memorandum above referred to. I have, &c, Charles Brown, Superintendent. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Auckland.

Vide Supra.

No. 8. THE HON. THE COLONIAL SECBETAEY TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OP TAEANAKI. Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, 23rd November, 1863. Sir — 1 have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 17th ultimo, enclosing correspondence on the subject of employing the Natives of this Colony for military service at the Cape of Good Hope or in India. In reply I have to thank your Honor for your suggestion; but to state, that the Government do not consider it under existing circumstances practicable. I have, Ac, William Fox. His Honor the Superintendent, New Plymouth.

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PAPERS RELATIVE TO NATIVE TROOPS.