ERRATUM IN A.—l. Page 18, line 9, for " charges which had been borne by the public for the benefit of the general heads of expenditure," read " charges which had been borne by the public for the benefit of the Governor under general heads of expenditure."
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1874. NEW ZEALAND.
SCHEDULE OF DESPATCHES FROM THE GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
Presented io holli Houses of the General Awambl// by command of His Excellency.
SCHEDULE.
6 g Date and Xumber. Subject. I Faosi the Acting Goverxob of New Zealand. 1 2 28 April, 1S73 (No. 35.) 7 May, 1873 (No. 36.) 7 May, 1873 (No. 37.) 3 June, 1873 (No. 40.) Transmitting a General Report of tho proceedings in respect of the Prosecution of the Masters of the Ships " Forfarshive" and GHenlom" Respecting the Murder of Timothy Sullivan, on the Upper Waikato ... ' ... 1 5 8 Further respecting the Murder of Timothy Sullivan... 7 4 Respecting the course taken by the Government in respect of the Muvder of Timothy Sullivan. 8 27 June, 1873 (No. 49.) 27 June, 1873 (No. 50.) 30 June, 1873 (No. 51.) 23 July, 1873 (No. 60.) 25 July, 1873 (No. 61.) 1 Aug., 1873 (No. 63.) 1 Aug., 1873 (No. 64.) 30 Sept., 1873 (No. 73.) 30 Sept., 1873 (No. 74.) 7 Oct., 1873 (No. 75.) 14 Oct., 1873 (No. 76.) 22 Oct., 1873 (No. 80.) 22 Oct., 1873 (No. 81.) 6 Nov., 1873 (No. 86.) Fboh the Goternob of New Zealand. 10 5 6 7 8 Requesting that the Officer in Command of the Station may be instructed to examine and report on the capabilities of Phormium tetiax. Respecting the proposed establishment of a Training Ship for the education of Boys for the Mercantile Marine of New Zealand. Respecting the Precedency of Superintendents and of ex-Ministers privileged to retain the title of Honorable. Respecting the advisability of extending The Colonial Attornies Relief Act" to New Zealand. Further respecting the Precedency of ex-Ministers privileged to retain the title of Honorable. Respecting the Colonial Treasurer's Financial Statement 10 11 12 9 12 10 13 11 12 Transmitting Report of Mr. James Mackay, Jun., on the circumstances of tho Murder of Timothy Sullivan. Transmitting a Letter from Mr. T. C. Williams to the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone, respecting the Ngatiraulrawa Tribe. Respecting the presence of Her Majesty's Ships on the Coast of New Zealaud 14. 15 13 15 14 Reply to No. 50, of 31st July, 1873, respecting the claims and counter-claims in dispute between the Imperial and the New Zealand Governments. Respecting the Reserved Bill as to the Governor's Salary and Allowances 16 15 1G 16 Respecting the small amount contributed by the Imperial Government towards the late Caliibrnian Mail Service. Respecting the increasing efforts of the Government to attract Immigrants to New Zealand IS 17 19 18 Rep'ying to No. 47 of 11th July, 1873, respecting the introduction duty free iuto New Zealand of the instruments i-equired by the United States e:pedUion for the observation of the Transit of Venus. Respecting the recent Native disturbance near Otaki... 20 10 17 Dec, 1873 (No. 88.) 29 Dee., 1873 (No. 95.) 21 20 Reply to Circuit No. 1 of 7th June.. 1873, respecting the proposed Convention between Great Britain and the German Empire, for the mutual exemption of subjects of either Power from military service, &v. Respecting the assistance rendered to the emigrant ship "Surat" by the French slr'p " La Vive." Reply to No. 69, of 10th October, 1873, respecting the fine imposed by the Government of New Zealand on the ship " Gleulo'a." Requesting information as to the management of State Forests in Gevmany, France, Norway, and Sweden; and the cultivation of Tobacco in Cuba and Manilla. 21 21 4 Jan., 1874 (No. 1.) 19 Jan., 1874 (No. 4.) 19 Jan., 1874 (No. 5.) 22 22 23 23 23
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SCHEDULE OP DESPATCHES— continued. .3 « q •« Date and Number. as Subject. t 24 23 2G 27 88 29 18 Feb., 1874 (No. 8.) 18 Feb., 1874 (No. 9.) 20 Feb., 1874 2 March, 1874 11 March, 1874 (No. 13.) 12 March, 1874 (No. 18.) April, 1874(No. 20.) , 8 April, 1874 (No. 21.) 13 April, 1874 (No. 25.) Respecting a proposed Presentation to Captain Jacquemart, of the " La Vire" ... Ecspecting the G-overnor's stay in, and return from, the Middle Island... Eespeeting the pardon and embarkation of the Convict Sullivan Further respecting the presence of Her Majesty's Ships on the Coast of New Zealand Eeply to No. 86, of 12th December, 1873, respecting the acceptance by the Telegraph Department of Telegrams labelled " via Teheran." Eeply to No. 2, of 5th January, 1874, respecting the Commodore's seat in the Executive Council. Eeply to Circular of 1st August, 1873, respecting Church Property in the Colonies 21 M 26 26 27 28 80 29 81 Further respecting the release and departure of the Convict Sullivan ... 29 32 Conveying thanks from the Government of New Zealand to the Postmaster-General, for permitting them to exhibit their notices to intending emigrants in the Post OfficeB of the United Kingdom. 30
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1874. NEW ZEALAND.
DESPATCHES FROM THE GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
No. 1. Copy of DESPATCH from the Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand to the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberlet. (No. 35.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord,— New Zealand, 28th April, 1873. At the instance of my Responsible Advisers, I have the honor to transmit a Ministerial Memorandum, with copies of the evidence taken at the Resident Magistrate's Court, on recent prosecutions before that Court of the masters of the ships " Eorfarshire " and " Glenlora," and newspaper reports of those proceedings. I have, &c, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. G. A. ARNEY.
Enclosure in No. 1. Memorandum for His Excellency the Administrator of the Government. Ministers have the honor to transmit herewith to His Excellency the copies of the evidence taken at the Resident Magistrate's Court in this city, on the occasions of the prosecutions of the masters of the ships " Forfarshire " and " Glenlora " for breaches of the Passenger Act. His Excellency is respectfully advised to forward these documents to the Eight Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies, and to draw the attention of the Imperial Government to the very perfunctory way in which', judging by the evidence, the Emigration Officers in the United Kingdom appear to fulfil their duties, from which the most serious results may arise. "Wellington, 10th April, 1873. Julius Vogel. Sub-Enclosure 1 to Enclosure in No. 1. Province of "Wellington, the "} Colony of New Zealand, > to wit. ) The information of Huntly John Harry Eliott, of the City of Wellington, a Government Emigration Officer, duly appointed under the provisions of " The Passengers Act, 1855," who Cometh before me, George Sisson Cooper, Esq., one of Her Majesty's Justices of the Peace in and for the Colony of New Zealand, this 31st day of March, 1873, and informeth mo that within the space of twelve calendar months last past, to wit, on a certain day between the 19th day of February last and the 11th day of March aforesaid, on the high seas, William Culbert, then being the master of the ship " Glenlora," now lying in the Port of Wellington, on the voyage of the said ship from the Port of London to Wellington aforesaid (such ship being a passenger ship within the meaning of the said Act, and the passengers on board such ship being divided into messes), unlawfully did neglect to comply with the provisions of the 35th section of "The Passengers Act, 1855," by not issuing to Edward Filer, then being the head man for the time being of a certain mess of such passengers, consisting of eight statute adults and one half statute adult, the weekly allowance of provisions which he was entitled to receive on behalf and for the use of all the members thereof according to the dietary scale marked B set forth in the said 35th section, that is to say, the allowance of wheaten flour, of beef, of pork, of preserved meat, of tea, of butter, and of vinegar, according to the rates for each statute adult mentioned in the said scale B, contrary to the form of the Statute in such cases made and provided. H. J. H. Eliott. Taken before me this 31st day of March, 1873, G. S. Cooper, A Justice of the Peace for the Colony of New Zealand. I—A. 1.
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Huntly Jofm Harry Eliott, Complainant, and William Culbert, Defendant. This is to command you to appear without fail on the Ist day of April next, at eleven o'clock in the forenoon, in the Resident Magistrate's Court, in the City of Wellington, before me or other the Magistrate or Justices of the Peace then and there present, to give evidence on the complaint of Huntly John Harry Eliott against "William Culbert, the master of the ship " G-lenlora," for breach of " The Passengers Act, 1855." Dated this 31st day of March, 1873. G. S. Coopeb, A Justice of the Peace for the Colony of New Zealand. To Darius Day, Tailor, "Wellington. This deponent, Edward Mler, on his oath states: —I am a carpenter, a passenger by " Grlenlora," and held a contract ticket. Arrived at Mauritius, lived on board hulk " Joshua Bates." For first ten days drew rations; afterwards Is. 6d. per day. Arrived in Mauritius November 15th, and sailed January sth ; drew rations for ten days only. On the third week after leaving Mauritius we were put on allowance of one pint of pickles instead of allowance of vinegar. I was head man of No. 4 mess, eight and a half in mess. Allowance was for mess. I complained of deficiency of pickles with the other captains of mess. He said they were not on board. On February 18th the captain stated that on account of picking up the crew he must put us on half allowance of meat. I produced my contract ticket. The short allowance continued till we reached "Wellington. "We had none before we arrived. A cask of pork was opened and was found bad, and thrown overboard. No meat was issued instead; there was no more on board. Arrived in Wellington on March 11th. On the Friday previous was the weekly issue (7). On that day got no meat. Flour was issued ; one-half pound to each adult. We had been receiving three pounds. We had half allowance of coffee next day, no tea, no butter; the quantities had been gradually diminishing. The butter we received on the previous issue day had been refused by the crew; it was black and dirty. The captain allowed married women with children one bottle of porter each for four days. The captain allowed half a pound of rice to each adult, because we could not eat the biscuits. I asked the captain for wine to strengthen my wife ; instead of that he gave us the porter. By Mr. Izard.] Made no complaints of provisions before leaving the Mauritius. The crew of the " Fox " was picked vp —ten of the crew and four Malabars. We were not put on short allowance until after this. We were becalmed off the Island of Bourbon for three days; we had fair weather otherwise. The captain said, when we were put on short allowance, that we might have rice and molasses or sugar, or oatmeal. The captain on the 18th told us that he was obliged to reduce allowance on account of the extra souls. Meat was served daily; the other provisions weekly, on Friday. Re-examined.] After four weeks from England, the biscuit got mouldy from being kept in bags. Defence. This deponent, Ernest Livingstone, on his oath states : —ls third mate of " Grlenlora." It was my duty to serve out provisions to head men. Sailed from Mauritius January 6th. Up to February 19th served rations up to scale of contract ticket. Eations were inspected previous to leaving Mauritius. I showed them the provisions in the storeroom, and they were satisfied. Picked up " Fox's " crew (14) ; they were rationed on scale of our crew. Had bad winds from Mauritius. Cannot speak to average length of voyage. Was present on 19th when complaints were made. There were ample provisions on board for an average voyage. Certain things were offered to the passengers in lieu of deficiency. I always served out provisions. I referred complaints to captain. By Mr. Reid.] We took in some stores at Mauritius ; I know what stores came on board the ship. The inspectors merely saw the stores; I showed them no list; the pork was not in this store ; salt meat was in this store ; salt meat was in fore-hold ; they did not go there ; the captain was not present; everything was in the store except water and salt meat. We bore up for Twofold Bay for provisions; the wind headed us, and we could not get there. About a week before we reached this, the quality of the biscuit was eatable; there may have been weevils in ; the sailors had their own stores of biscuits. The captain was always to be got at. I decline to answer whether he was drunk. I served the shipwrecked men from the crew's stores ; when put on short allowance, all hands were put on ; Lascars did not eat meat —they eat rice, biscuit, and sour vinegar ; we had about ninety-eight adults on board, without including the shipwrecked crew. Re-examined.'] I took the word of ten passengers that the supply was sufficient. The crew's biscuit was kept in tanks. This deponent, William Culbert, on his oath states : —ls master of " Q-lcnlora." Put into Mauritius ; subsistence money allowed. At Mauritius bought provisions as per account of A. Q-illan and Co., receipted ; also took on board provisions as per account of Renana Bros., from January 4th. General average of voyage from Mauritius to Wellington six or seven weeks. I was nine weeks and one day ; was becalmed several times. On February 19th diminished the rations because I was afraid of getting short. Tried to run for Twofold Bay when I found I was running short. The land was about 150 or 160 miles off. Offered passengers rice, molasses, sugar, oatmeal; gave married women some porter out of my own stores. There were provisions enough on board for an ordinary passage of six weeks; would not have got any clearance without it. By Mr. Reid.] Collector of Customs told so; got no official communication ; cannot say how much provision was on board ; the stores had been overhauled at the Mauritius. Had about 100 souls on board. In general we take in a little more than for an average voyage. The provisions bought at Mauritius were put on board. Ran about 100 miles towards Twofold Bay for five or six days after. Allowed a bottle of porter for two days to each of fourteen women. Medical stores were all
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consumed previously. The vessel was chartered. Knew nothing of provisions put on board in London. Medical stores were under control of doctor as long as he lived. I had nothing to do with them. Beeach op tiie Passengeb Act Eegttlations. Captain Culbert, of the ship " Grlenlora," was charged with breaches of the 35th section of " The Passengers Act, 1855," by not issuing to the passengers, between the 19th February and the 11th March, the amount of provisions set forth in scale B. Mr. Izard, who appeared for the defendant, said he did not intend to raise any technical objection to the prosecution, or to dispute the averments in the charge. "What he would endeavour to do would be to convince the Bench that prior to the 19th February the full allowance of provisions was served out to the passengers. During the voyage from London she met with heavy weather and met with an accident, in consequence of which she had to put into the Mauritius. During her detention there the passengers were properly provided for, and on the departure of the vessel her stores were examined by the officials of the port, and pronounced to be in a proper condition as regarded quantity and quality ; but the voyage from Mauritius was unduly protracted, and lasted several week-s longer than the time usually calculated upon. In addition to that, when the ship had been out from the Mauritius about a week, she fell in with the crew of a vessel that had bepn wrecked, and in consequence of having to provide for this extra number of people, the allowance of provisions had to be reduced. He thought that the Bench would perceive that under these circumstances, which would be deposed to in evidence, the charge for infraction of the regulations could scarcely be maintained. As he had already stated, he would not dispute the fact that since the 19th February the passengers and crew had been put on short allowance, but he considered the circumstances connected with the latter portion of the voyage should be accepted as a satisfactory reason why no penalty should be imposed. Mr. Held, for the prosecution, accepted the admission as tantamount to a plea of guilty. Mr. Izard had no intention of pleading guilty to the charge. What he wished to argue was, that under the circumstances the Bench was entitled to say that there had been no infraction of the regulations, because he was prepared to prove that the proper quantity of provisions was put on board the vessel before she left the Mauritius, and that the necessity for placing the passengers on short allowance was caused by contingencies which it was not customary to anticipate—such as providing for the wants of a shipwrecked crew. Mr. Reid explained that a vessel leaving England ought, according to the Statute, to be provisioned for a voyage of 150 days, and corresponding margin should have been made when the vessel left the Mauritius. It was not a sufficient answer to the charge to state that the defendant had to provide food for a shipwrecked crew, because the only inferenco to be drawn from such a statement was, that he had made some absurd calculation as to the duration of the voyage, and had tied the allowance of provisions down to the exact pound for that period. There ought to have been an extra supply on board for emergencies of any character, and therefore the statement in regard to the shipwrecked crew could not be accepted in mitigation. There were two other charges—one relating to the quality of the biscuit supplied to the passengers, which was so bad that they had to beg a bag of biscuit from the crew, —and it was agreed that the evidence in one case should decide the three. The following evidence was then called :— Edward Filer, a passenger by the ship, and head man of a mess, said that when the " Grlenlora " arrived at the Mauritius they lived on board for ten days, and were then removed to the hulk " Joshua Bates." They were at the Mauritius from November 15th to January sth. The third week after they left Mauritius the whole of the provisions were reduced to quarter allowance. First complained to the captain of the short allowance of pickles, and was informed that it could not be helped, but that it would be made all right upon arrival in Wellington. The next complaint was about the meat, in answer to which the captain came down and told the passengers that in consequence of picking up the crew of the German ship he would be unable to give them the proper quantity of meat, and next day they were put on half allowance. Towards the end of the passage they got no meat at all. The captain got up a cask of pork, which was the last meat of any description on board, but it was so bad that it had to be thrown overboard, and on the 7th March, the last weekly issue day, they got no meat at all. On the same day there was a deficiency of flour, which was reduced to half a pound for each adult. There was no tea, no butter, and the coffee was reduced. The butter which was served out to the passengers on the previous day was some that had been refused by the crew; it was black and dirty. In lieu of these provisions, the women with children were allowed a bottle of porter each day, and the rest of the passengers rice. Cross-examined by Mr. Izard.~\ There was no complaint made of the quantity or quality of the provisions supplied before reaching the Mauritius. After leaving the port they picked up the crew of the " Der Fuchs," numbering fourteen hands, and the passage was prolonged by calms. When the passengers were put on short allowance, the captain offered an extra allowance of oatmeal, sugar, molasses, and rice, and stated that this course was necessary by the length of the voyage and the addition to the number of persons on board the ship. There were no complaints made about the shortness of the provisions until after leaving Mauritius. Re-examined by Mr. Reid.~\ The biscuit was bad throughout the voyage ; it got mouldy a month after leaving England, in consequence of being placed in bags instead of tanks. The biscuit supplied to the crew remained good because it was kept in tanks. Mr. Izard called the following evidence for the defence : — Earnest Lavington, third mate of the ship, said it was his duty to serve out the provisions. Up to the 19th February the provisions were served out according to the quantities stated in the contract tickets, and on leaving Mauritius the provisions were inspected on board and passed. The crew of" Der Fuchs," picked up after leaving the Mauritius, were served with rations at the same rate of allowance as the crew of the " Glenlora." When it
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became neceasary to put the passengers on short allowance, they were told that it was in consequence of the protracted nature of the voyage and the number of extra people to feed. There would have been sufficient provisions for the voyage but for the causes stated. He-examined, by Mr. Beid.~\ The persons who examined the provisions opened nothing. They merely saw what was in the storeroom, but did not go down in the hold to look at the beef. They tasted the water from the main tanks. Did not know who the persons were who examined the stores; they might have been agents of the vessel. The captain wished to put into Twofold Bay for fresh provisions, but the winds became unfavourable, and the voyage to New Zealand had to be continued. The biscuit became mouldy towards the end of the voyage, and had weevils in them, but they were fit to eat. The biscuit supplied to the crew contained no weevils, and complaints were made to the captain by the passengers in regard to the condition of the biscuit. He could not always be seen, because he was sometimes confined to his cabin by illness. Did not know from what kind of sickness the captain suffered. Mr. Beid.~] In plain language, was not often the captain lying drunk in the cabin ?—I did not como here to be my captain's accuser. The Hench7\ Tour reply, or refusal to reply, is more damaging to Captain Culbert than a straightforward answer would be. You will not say that he was drunk, —will you swear that he was not drunk ? —I decline to answer the question. Examination continued.^ When the stores ran short, all hands were put on short allowance. The rations for the shipwrecked crew were supplied from the ship's crew stores. Mr. Beid.~] Then the passengers' stores were not diminished by providing for the shipwrecked crew ? —-The stores on board the ship were becoming so scarce that no distinction was made between passengers' stores and ship's stores. The Lascars ate no meat. Their rations consisted of rice, sugar, biscuit, and butter. There were ninety-one adults on board, not including the shipwrecked crew. Cross-examined by Mr. Izard.^\ The biscuit supplied to passengers and crew was all of the same quality when the ship left London, but the crew's kept in better condition than the passengers', because they were kept in tanks. Captain Culbert said that, up to the time of the arrival of the vessel at Mauritius, the provisions supplied were served out according to contract. While at the Mauritius fresh provisions were supplied for use of crew and passengers, and for the continuation of the voyage a large quantity of stores were supplied by the firm of Gilan and Co., sufficient in quantity to last an ordinary voyage to New Zealand, which usually occupies six or seven weeks, but the " Glenlora's " voyage lasted fully ten weeks, consequent on the ship being becalmed. He did not know that the whole of the goods charged for by Grilan and Co. were put on board the vessel. He saw them enumerated in the bill of items, and he took it for granted that they were put on board. The vessel was out from the Mauritius the ordinary length of the voyage before the allowance of provisions was shortened, and when he found the provisions running out, he endeavoured to bear up for Twofold Bay, but the wind became unfavourable, and the voyage had to be continued. The deficiencies in the provisions were made up by supplying other articles to the passengers. The provisions were examined by emigration agents at the Mauritius, and passed as satisfactory. Cross-examined by Mr. Reid.~\ The Collector of Customs would have refused to clear the ship unless the Commissioners had reported satisfactorily. "Witness was on shore when the examination was made, and he did not receive any official communication from them. The ship had about one hundred and twenty-five adults on board, and it was usual to carry a margin of stores to make allowance for delays or accidents. He thought he had sufficient to last the voyage to New Zealand, but the shipwrecked crew, fourteen in number, made a material alteration in his calculations. Lost about 200 miles in endeavouring to make Twofold Bay. The porter was served out to some of the single girls as well as to the married women. The medical stores, which were given out by the doctor up to the time of his death, were also replenished at the Mauritius, and were supplied by witness during the remainder of the voyage. Re-examined by Mr. Izard.~\ Up to the 19th instant the provisions were supplied in full quantity. Personally he had nothing to do with the shipment of stores in London, but on his own authority as captain of the vessel he procured further supplies at the Mauritius. Mr. Izard said the evidence proved very clearly that up to the time the vessel arrived at Mauritius the provisions were of good quality, and also that the proper quantity was supplied. During the detention of the vessel at that port also, the wants of the passengers wore attended to, and it was owing entirely to such occurrences as the unusual prolongation of the voyage and the necessity of providing for fourteen persons additional to those belonging to the ship, that it had become necessary to shorten the allowance of provisions. It was scarcely consistent with fact to say that there was not sufficient provisions on board the vessel, in the face of the evidence that the ship had to provide for fourteen persons outside of those properly belonging to the vessel. As a matter of fact there would have been sufficient even then had the vessel's progress towards her destination not been retarded by unfavourable weather. He would submit that, under these circumstances, no fine ought to be imposed in the case. Mr. Reid thought it would have been much better for the defence if it had rested upon the persuasive eloquence of his learned friend rather than upon the evidence of the master of the vessel and the third mate. It had been proved very clearly that the captain absolutely did not know what provisions he had on board the ship when he left Mauritius. He had performed his duties in a most slipshod and perfunctory manner, and had taken no trouble whatever to ascertain the correctness of the people who pretended to examine that he might go to sea. The third mate, who had charge of the stores, seemed to be as well informed as the captain. Then what were the facts alleged in mitigation of the charge ? During the first week of the voyage from the Mauritius the ship picked up fourteen persons from a wrecked vessel, four of whom did not consume meat at all, and the question for the Bench to consider was, what proportion did the provisions consumed by the other ten persons bear to the supplies of which the one hundred persons on board the vessel were deprived. The offence in this case
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was aggravated by two considerations, the first of which was that the captain, who ought to have some knowledge of the necessaries for a long voyage, put into the Mauritius and neglected to provision the vessel so as to leave some slight margin upon what was likely to be the actual consumption on the voyage to New Zealand; but this was not to be wondered at, for he did not seem to know what the ordinary duration of the voyage was, and then he had lost time hesitating about putting into Twofold Bay. He felt bound to press for a penalty in this case, so that the verdict might operate in showing masters of vessels that it was part of their duty to see that a proper quantity of provisions was placed on board their ships, and the terms of the law complied with. The present case differed very much from the one heard a few days ago, and he hoped the Bench would impose such a penalty as would force upon captains of vessels trading to the port, the necessity for a proper observance of the law. The Bench said it seemed impossible to get hold of any broad facts in this case. The complaint was that the passengers had been subjected to the annoyance and hardship of existing upon a short allowance of provisions for a considerable time, and it seemed to be urged with very good grounds, when it was considered that the voyage from the Mauritius was not a very protracted one, namely, sixty-four days. A master of a ship should certainly have taken in provisions to last a much longer period than that. Then taking into account that the extra persons taken on board from the wrecked vessel bore so small a proportion to the amount of provisions short supplied to the passengers on board the " Glenlora," the excuse urged under that head was very slight. The biscuit appeared to have gone bad through being kept in bags, a defect in the provisioning of the ship which might easily have been avoided ; and on the whole, the excuses were of the lamest description. No one seemed to be capable of stating what amount of provisions were put on board the vessel, and it was questionable whether she had sufficient on board originally, for though the vessel was detained at the Mauritius, her passengers were maintained by subsistence money. The present case was of a much worse character than that of the " Forfarshire," for there everything appeared to have been done that could possibly be done by the master of the vessel. Defendant would be fined £25 and costs in each of the three cases, making an aggregate fine of £75 and costs.
No. 2. Copy of DESPATCH from the Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand to the Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberlet. (No. 36.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord, —- New Zealand, 7th May, 1873. It is my duty to inform your Lordship of an event which has recently occurred in the Upper Waikato district of a distressing character, the importance of which, in connection with the relations subsisting between the Natives of that district and Her Majesty's Government, cannot at this moment he fully estimated. On the 24th ult. a settler named Timothy Sullivan was murdered by a party of Hauhau Natives. Sullivan was at work on Messrs. Douglas and Walker's farm, fascining part of the Moanatuatua swamp, in company with two other men named Jones and Rodgers. About noon Jones's dog barked, and the men on looking up descried four Natives. The number engaged in the outrage which followed is now considered to have been ten, but the Europeans seemed to have discerned only four Natives, with guns, coming towards them. They took alarm and ran, pursued by the Natives ; but Sullivan, being unable to keep up the pace, dropped behind, and was immediately shot. One of the Natives seemed to have stopped at Sullivan's body, while the others continued the pursuit after Jones and Rodgers, until they were recalled by the Native who had stopped behind. Soon afterwards it appears that a settler proceeded to the spot, where he found Sullivan's body mutilated, the head taken off and carried away, the trunk ripped from the neck downwards, and the heart taken out and removed. The scene of this outrage appears to lie a little outside of the boundary line by which limit is designated between land confiscated to the Crown and land the property of Native owners, over which Tawhiao claims territorial dominion. It appears also that soon after Jones and Rodgers had re-crossed the boundary line, their Native pursuers were recalled. The land itself has been passed by certain of the Native owners through the Native Lands Court, and the title ascertained in ordinary course of law as now provided by Statute, a Statute commonly accepted and acted upon by Natives throughout the Colony. But it probably is the case that these Natives by whom Sullivan was murdered form part of the section of the tribe who were joint owners of the land, and who may have stood aloof, declining to accept the jurisdiction of the Native Lands Court. The immediate cause of the murder is, at least partly, attributable to some such source of discontent, for Mr. Mackay, the Native Commissioner, who, on the part of the Government, is making^inquiries on the spot, reports, " The cause of the outrage appears to be the sales and lease of tribal
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" lands by the Kupapa's (leading chiefs) of Ngatihaua, to the exclusion of the " Hauhau portion of the tribe." If I could feel certain that this murder had no political significance, I should treat it as an event of domestic concern to the Colony only, in so far that I should not trouble your Lordship with any special Despatches on the subject. But the mutilation of the body by Natives, and removal of its members, as above mentioned, generally implies that the Natives have some object beyond the mere killing; and it appears probable, from the conduct of those connected with the murderers, especially since the event, that their purpose is to raise the Natives of the district, including the immediate adherents of the King, against the Europeans. Long before the event happened, an attack of the kind had been contemplated, although the immediate scene to be selected for the purpose was apparently not determined upon. Warnings were, it must be admitted, given to Europeans. Thus, one settler named Kirkwood says that he was warned two weeks before by an elderly Hauhau that Europeans would be killed, not in fighting, but murdered ; the Hauhau, pointing to Walker's station (on which Sullivan was killed), saying it would be " there; " then pointing to the station of Mr. Firth, an extensive landowner, who stands, I believe, in amicable personal relations with the Natives, the Hauhau continued, "or there; " and pointing to the station of a Mr. Buckland, "or there;" so it seems also, one Native, Tanika te Hura, was requested by another Native, Matenga, to tell Jones to be careful, and Jones was accordingly warned on the 23rd, the day before the murder. A Mr. H. T. Owen also says he was warned on the 23rd; and in the same mysterious way (as 1 have since learned) some chiefs in this Province were informed, so long as two months before the murder, that they might look for some killing of pakehas in the Upper Waikato. And some of the chiefs appear to think that the murderers of Sullivan have been encouraged, if not incited to the act, by certain Natives, except by one chief of great influence about Tawhiao, with the object of embroiling the King party with the Europeans. The conduct of the murdering party since the death of Sullivan is also suspicious. Nine Natives were afterwards seen carrying Sullivan's head into the Native settlement of Te Koukou. On the Sunday after the murder a Native arrived at Mangamutu, carrying the head with him, on his way (as it is alleged) to Te Kuiti, Tawhiao's own residence; and two of the Natives who arc mentioned as being of the murdering party are said to have carried the heart of Sullivan to Paea Te Aho, or the "Princess Sophia" (as she has been called), the relative of Tawhiao, and are stated (according to one account) to have placed that heart on the threshold of her house door as an offering, and an incitement to hostility against the Europeans. If, however, the object of these people has been to embroil the King party with the Europeans, and especially with the Government, they have as yet signally failed. Sophia would have nothing to do with their horrid offering, and the murder of Sullivan is denounced by the Natives on the Waikato as in other parts of the Colony. Still, the Government could not be insensible to the difficulty which must surround any attempt to apprehend the reputed murderers by sending a body of Armed Constabulary into the King district for that purpose. It was known that the murdering party and their immediate adherents were planted, armed and waiting to be attacked. Resistance was certain, the lives of many innocent persons would probably fall in any struggle that followed, and if the King Natives should throw themselves into the contest, the whole of the nourishing settlement of the Upper Waikato would be in danger. On these, as on more general grounds of policy affecting the mode in which offences committed by Natives might most discreetly be treated, it was considered prudent, before resorting to force, to appeal to Tawhiao himself to surrender the murderers to be dealt with by our law, or, failing such a concession from Tawhiao, to ascertain the views of the leading chiefs of the King party, and to obtain, if possible, the assurance that the murder of Sullivan was repudiated, and the murderers would not be protected by them. And this brings me to the course which the Government have pursued, upon which I purpose to inform your Lordship in a separate Despatch. I have, &c, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. G. A. ARNEY.
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No. 3. Copt of DESPATCH from the Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand to the Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. (No. 37.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord, — New Zealand, 7th May, 1873. In my Despatch No. 36, of even date herewith, I intimated that I would inform your Lordship of the course which the Government of the Colony has taken, and is still taking, in dealing with the case of the murder of Timothy Sullivan by a party of Natives on the 24th ultimo. Placed, in the Seat of Government, at a long distance from the "Waikato, and depending on telegrams wholly for information, the Government at once directed an experienced Native Commissioner, Mr. Mackay, to repair to the spot. Mr. Mackay repaired thither, and placed himself in communication with Tana Te Waharoa, Hote te "Waharoa, Erueti, Ropata Mohi, and other influential Native chiefs, through whom he was able to communicate indirectly with the chiefs immediately about Tawhiao. The principal of them are Manuhiri and Rewi. Manuhiri is a chief of years and of long-standing influence, an influence, however, which has not been favourable to Her Majesty's Government; and we are informed that when told of the murder of Sullivan, Manuhiri did not condemn it, but would not attend to the speaker, saying, merely, it was not his business. Erueti also reported that the Tekaumarua (or council of twelve) of the King had been coming to inquire into the matter, but had changed their minds, at the same time indicating that the adherents of the King did not approve of the murder of Sullivan. Ropata Mohi also declared that if the murderers were taken, the King would not interfere; and Mr. Mackay was afterwards informed by another Native chief that Manuhiri condemned the murder, as did all the people of the King. At length Mr. Mackay wrote a cautiously-worded letter to Tawhiao, assuring him that his proceedings were being taken at the request of the Government, that peace might be maintained, and that the guilty should alone atone his offence, but asking Tawhiao to declare his opinion of the person who murdered the pakeha. Not receiving an immediate answer, Mr. Mackay ventured on the bold step of going in person, accompanied by friendly chiefs, to Tawhiao's own place. The progress and arrival of Mr. Mackay at Tawhiao's residence, his treatment, and all that has happened thereupon, so far as we are yet informed, your Lordship will best gather by reading the two telegrams from Mr. Mackay, copies of which accompany this Despatch. Your Lordship will not fail to recognize in Mr. Mackay a man of remarkable courage and firmness, who, instead of being discomfited by the attack upon his life, seeks, and even trusts, to make that attack conducive to the good of the Government and of the Colony by leading up to the object which he is especially charged to accomplish, that of prevailing with Tawhiao and the King party to submit unauthorized murders (viz., those homicides which Tawhiao himself repudiates) to trial before the Courts of Justice. Rewi, who has taken Mr. Mackay under his personal protection, is a chief whose influence, we have reason to hope, perhaps to believe, is exercised in favour of Her Majesty's Government. He is chief of the powerful Ngatimaniapoto, on whom the power of Tawhiao mainly rests; and we are informed by telegram from Major Mair, from Alexandra, that, on taking Mr. Mackay to his house, Rewi is reported to have made use of an expression to the effect that, "If Ngatimahuta " (Tawhaio's tribe) wanted to kill the pakeha, they had better come to him." Rewi lives also on terms of friendship with the young chief Tv Tawhiao (the Maori King's son), whom I met at Kawhia on the Ist ult., as mentioned in a former Despatch, and he is, we hope, disposed to relax that exclusive isolation imposed upon himself and his followers by the policy of Tawhiao and Manuhiri. If Rewi should be induced to guarantee that Ngatimaniapoto will not interfere in arms to prevent the capture of Sullivan's murderers by the authorities of the Crown, one main obstacle to the immediate action of the Government will be removed. Up to the present time, and beyond the limits of the King district, we have no reason to believe that this outrage is countenanced by any influential section of the Native race. I forbear troubling your Lordship with the numerous telegrams which report the indignation expressed by individual chiefs, and their
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offers to go and demand the murderers of Tawhiao. But we learn from a telegram of Colonel Lyon, commanding the Armed Constabulary in Waikato, that on the sth May a large and influential meeting of Natives came off at Tamahere, convened by Ngatihaua, at which many of the Waikato chiefs (Kupapa) were present ; that the meeting was unanimous in denouncing the doings of the Hauhaus ; and that six of the most influential chiefs had been chosen to proceed to Te Kuiti, and demand from Tawhiao the murderers, the chiefs thus deputed asking the Government to countenance their proceedings and give them time for carrying out their object. Since that date a telegram has arrived from three of those chiefs, in the name of the komiti (committee), proposing to act accordingly, but asking that a year of time be given to them to carry out their scheme. In a former Despatch I adverted to the deliberation with which Natives act; and your Lordship will notice that, if the Government of New Zealand have felt the importance of moving in this business with caution, their Native allies do not think the object one that can with any certainty be effected on a sudden. In the Tauranga district, also, at a recent meeting held for another purpose, at which 500 Natives were present, when all was very orderly, where no spirits were allowed on the place, and only political matters were discussed, general indignation at the Waikato murder was expressed, all admitting it to be a "kohuru," or murder in the criminal sense of that word. Meanwhile, the settlers on the Waikato have demeaned themselves with moderation and forbearance, ready, if necessary, as expressed in one of Mr. Mackay's telegrams, "to have a stand-up " fight " with the King Natives, rather than live in uncertainty whether an outrage of this sort may not at any time be repeated with impunity, but anxious that the Government should mature their plans for action, rather than risk, by undue precipitation, a settlers' war. In conclusion, I desire to assure your Lordship that the Government, while thus feeling their way, are yet conscious that decisive action must ultimately be taken, in the interest no less of the Native than of the colonist, to vindicate the law. It is supposed that Purukutu, one of the leaders of this Hauhau gang, has established himself for the present, with about sixty armed companions, in the Maungatautari Ranges (being a range of hills which the Natives chose as their last strong stand-point at the close of the Waikato war), in the hope, possibly, that the Government would accept this outrage as a challenge, and proceed to attack him in warlike array. But it is, I think wisely, resolved to treat the outrage upon Sullivan as an ordinary case of murder, to be dealt with by the Courts of Justice, and I am yet sanguine that, with the aid of Native chiefs themselves, these offenders will be tracked wherever they may be, and will be, all or some of them, at length captured without further disturbing the peace of the Waikato settlements. I have, &c, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. G. A. ARNEY.
No. 4. Copy of DESPATCH from the Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand to the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. (No. 40.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord, — New Zealand, 3rd June, 1873. By the last mail it was my duty to inform your Lordship of the murder of Timothy Sullivan by a party of Maoris, of whom Purukutu was and is reported to be the leader; the scene of the murder being the farm of Messrs. Walker and Douglas, in the district of the Upper Waikato. I also informed your Lordship of the course which it had been deemed prudent to adopt. 2. Since I last wrote to your Lordship no active measures have been taken, in so far that an armed force has not been sent into the King district to apprehend the murderers, but all the information we have since received satisfies me that the importance of the event has not been over estimated, while the course pursued by the Government has not merely been the wisest, but has been the only course which has yet been open for them to adopt.
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3. Whatever may have been the real motives or the assigned excuse of Purukutu for the murder itself, it is evident that he is supported by a band of followers who would be likely, perhaps would be glad, to convert the defence of Purukutu into a contest with the Waikato settlers and with the Government. In my Despatch No. 37, of the 7th ultimo, I intimated that Purukutu was supported by some sixty armed followers. Later information leads me to believe that the number of his adherents was not exaggerated, for an important and reliable chief, Hone Te One, has since written to Mr. McLean, naming several chiefs by whom it is alleged the murder was planned, and announcing that their party numbered one hundred men. 4. It is further probable that Purukutu is not really discountenanced by Tawhiao, but that, if attacked, he would have been speedily defended by the whole strength of the tribe to which Tawhiao belongs. The equivocal conduct of Tawhiao and of Manuhiri, as disclosed in my former Despatches to your Lordship, has been followed by behaviour which shows plainly that those chiefs would not assist in the capture of the murderers, much less surrender them to the officers of justice, unless constrained to do so either by a warlike force or by the combined influence of powerful chiefs, whom they might be unable to resist. Mr. Mackay has been escorted safely back from the King district, under the orders of P^ewi, but he failed to obtain an interview with Tawhiao ; and in answer to plain questions since proposed by letter to Tawhiao, inviting him to declare whether he would either deliver up the murderers or, if not, whether he, Tawhiao, would stand aside and allow the police and their escort quietly to arrest the murderers, merely evasive answers have been returned. In one of those answers it is, indeed, stated that Purukutu was to be fetched to Te Kuiti (Tawhiao's residence), but in a remarkable conversation which Mr. Mackay has had with Eewi, since Mr. Mackay's return from the King district, at Rewi's own place, that chief expressed his belief that Tawhiao meant only to protect Purukutu. Meanwhile Manuhiri, who made such demonstrations of grief or anger at the attack upon Mr. Mackay's life, has since, in his letters both to Mr. McLean and Major Mair. invented excuses to palliate, if not to justify, the attack upon Mr. Mackay. And, whatever be the motives of those chiefs, assuming that Tawhiao is not actuated by any active hostility to the settlers on the Waikato, but merely resolves to resist the authority of the Queen and of her Courts of Justice, I am brought to the same conclusion, namely, that if the Government had hastily sent an armed force into the King district to apprehend Purukutu and his associates in the murder of Sullivan, a conflict would have ensued in which the lives of innocent people might have been sacrificed, and which might even have resulted in a settlers' war. 5. No course could be wise that should be calculated to precipitate such a catastrophe. The Government have therefore continued to deal with this outrage upon the principle explained to your Lordship in my former Despatches, to put it aside as a vapouring challenge of a few disloyal Natives, but to seek the first available opportunity for apprehending and punishing the murderers. Meanwhile, we have every reason to believe that the good-will of surrounding tribes is being, by this forbearance, more and more conciliated, and that, if the King Natives should attack either of the European settlements, we may rely on the support of influential chiefs and of their hapus sufficient to crush them. In my former Despatches I mentioned some of the evidences of this disposition in the Native mind. Since then, those assurances of support have been increased, and the powerful Ngapuhis, of tried loyalty, whose prowess has in former years been felt by Waikato, have tendered their services to the Government in case those services should be needed. Meanwhile, precautionary measures have been taken. The small force of Armed Constabulary in the Upper Waikato district has been increased, and a strong earthen redoubt is being raised upon a well-chosen site within the boundary of the Queen's land, near the scene of the recent murder, to be garrisoned by a mixed force of Constabulary and Maoris. Women and children have for the present come in from a few outlying farms, although we have reason to believe that the deliberate action of the Government, far from encouraging the Hauhaus, is filling them with distrust, if not alarm, and is detaching more and more of their supporters from Tawhiao and Manuhiri. 2.—A. 1.
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6. There is yet one precautionary measure of another kind which is under consideration. The Native Land Acts, by which Courts have been established to enable Native owners of land to ascertain their ownership and to individualize (if they think fit) their titles, are in some respects defective. These Acts have come frequently under my judicial cognizance, and their procedure has appeared to me a little too summary to meet the idiosyncrasies of Maori character. Mr. Commissioner Mackay, however, acting under instructions, has not failed to draw Eewi's attention to the fact that the New Zealand Parliament would have listened to any petition from Purukutu if he had felt wronged by his co-owners dealing with his lands under those Acts, and reminded him how, upon the petition of some dissatisfied Ahuriri Natives, the Parliament has lately passed an Act under which an experienced Judge of the Supreme Court, aided by a Judge of the Native Lands Court so well known to the Native race as Judge Maning, as also by distinguished Native chiefs for his assessors, has been patiently inquiring into the petitioner's complaints. The Government have under consideration the improvement of those now embarrassing enactments, and they may possibly introduce a Native Lands Act Consolidation Act in the coming Session of the General Assembly. 7. The excitement which for a time prevailed in the Upper Waikato district has subsided, and the settlers are following their ordinary pursuits. I have therefore every confidence that when Sir James Eergusson, who is expected shortly, arrives, His Excellency will assume the government of the Colony with its peace undisturbed and its prosperity advancing. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. G. A. AENEY.
No. 5. Copy of DESPATCH from Governor the Eight Hon. Sir J. Fergtjssox, Bart., to the Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. (No. 49.) ■ Government House, "Wellington, My Lord, — New Zealand, 27th June, 1873. At the desire of my Advisers, I have the honor to ask your Lordship to request the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to instruct the Officer in Command of the Australian Station to officially examine and report on the rope and twine made from New Zealand Phormium. 2. The Government of New Zealand will undertake to supply the rope, &c, in such quantity as the officer appointed to make the examination may require. 3. My Advisers observe that Phormium rope was supplied to a vessel called the " Eesaca," belonging to the Government of the United States, and also to a vessel called the " Vettor Pisani," belonging to His Italian Majesty. In both cases the captains, it was understood, intended to report officially the results of the trials they intended to institute. I have, &c, JAMES FEEGUSSON, The Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. Governor.
No. 6. Copy of DESPATCH from Governor the Right Hon. Sir J. Fergussok, Bart., to the Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimbbblbt. (No. 50.) Government House, "Wellington, My Loud, — New Zealand, 27th June, 1873. I have been requested by my Advisers to inform your Lordship that they are very anxious to establish a training ship for the education of boys for the New Zealand Mercantile Marine, and I have the honor to request that you will have the goodness to bring their case to the favourable consideration of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, with a view to their Lordships granting to the Colony one of H.M. ships on similar terms to those upon which the " Nelson " was given to the Colony of Victoria, and is now used for a like purpose with great
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success. In supporting this request, my Advisers would have me represent that the geographical features and position of New Zealand fit it for a maritime Colony, and that it is most desirable that, instead of its continuing to be a drain upon the stock of seamen at home, a provision should be made for keeping up a supply by training the colonial youth, so that, in course of time, the Colony may hope to be able not only to provide for its own requirements, but even assist the Mother Country in time of need. 2. I am informed that the Agent-General of New Zealand in London has lately, by direction of this Government, been in communication with the Admiralty; that he has suggested that H.M.S. " Rosario," now stationed here, should, at the expiration of her present commission, be granted to the Colony as a training ship for boys; and that he has been informed that, inasmuch as vessels of the " Rosario" class are much required, she will return to England on completing her present commission, and consequently that their Lordships were unable to comply with the request of the Colony in the matter. 3. I am informed that the object which the Colony has in view was misunderstood by the Agent-General, who represented it to the Admiralty as being for the training of naval volunteers and not of mercantile seamen. 4. I beg to add that I believe that the grant even of a ship of an obsolete class would be gratefully accepted by the Colony, and that it would be usefully and beneficially applied. I have, &c, JAMES EERGTJSSON, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. Governor.
No. 7. Copt of DESPATCH from Governor the Right Hon. Sir J. Fergusson, Bart., to the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberlet. (No. 51.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord, — New Zealand, 30th June, 1873. I regret to have to ask for instructions with regard to the precedency to he accorded to the Superintendents of the Provinces of New Zealand, a question which has been brought before me immediately on my arrival. 2. I am informed that some difficulty has lately occurred in at least one instance, owing to the uncertainty of the rights in this particular of Superintendents of Provinces. 3. In Mr. Labouchere's Despatch No. 27, of the 27th November, 1855, the then Governor was informed that " at the Seat of Government, in Auckland, the " rank of the Superintendent cannot be placed higher than that of the Commis- " sioners or Government Agents of Provinces or districts in the table contained "in the Colonial Regulations. But in the other Provinces, there being no " Lieutenant-Governor, the Superintendent should have precedency over all other " persons." 4. The Seat of Government now being at Wellington, the spirit of the abovementioned Despatch would imply that there the Superintendent of that Province would take rank as a Commissioner or Government Agent of a Province; that is, in the words of the Despatch already quoted, "after the high officers of the •• General Government or Legislature." But a portion of the General Government is still located at Auckland, the Chief Justice presiding over the Supreme Court there; and during a part of each year the Governor has continued to reside at the old Government House, and to hold Executive Councils there during such residence. It is therefore a question whether, during such residence, the Superintendent should not be placed after the high officers of the General Government there present, even although at other times he should have precedency "of all other persons," including the Chief Justice. 5. A similar question might arise at Dunedin, where the Province of Otago has hired and furnished a residence for the Governor, which it is desirous that he should occupy at some period of the year, necessarily performing there the functions of Government. 6. Members of the Ministry in many cases reside, during considerable portions
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of the year, in the Provinces to which they belong; and when the General Assembly is in recess, it is often as easy to collect a quorum for an Executive Council in Provincial capitals as at Wellington, while the occasional presence of the Governor in those capitals is desired both by his Ministers and by the inhabitants. 7. As such Provincial capitals increase in importance, it is hardly probable that the position of Superintendents will diminish in consequence. But the question is one which the Governor cannot determine acceptably in the altered circumstances of the case, and I have therefore the honor to ask for your instructions with regard to it. 8. I would ask your Lordship to lay down a definite rule in this Colony as to the precedence of ex-Ministers who have received from Her Majesty the permanent privilege of bearing the title of " honorable," and of wearing the uniform of their rank. That which was prescribed for gentlemen similarly distinguished in New South Wales in the Duke of Buckingham's (separate) Despatch of Ist January, 1868, viz., that " they should take precedence according to the dates in " order of the first appointment of each to the Executive Council, after existing " Executive Councillors," would, I believe, be suitable to this Colony. I have, &c, JAMES EERGUSSON, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. Governor.
No. 8. Copy of DESPATCH from Governor the Right Hon. Sir J. Eergusson, Bart., to the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. (No. 60.) Government House, Wellington, My Lobd,— New Zealand, 23rd July, 1873. At the request of my Advisers, I have the honor to transmit to you a copy of a letter received by the Government of New Zealand from one John A. Beale, on the subject of extending to New Zealand the operation of the Imperial Act, intituled the " Colonial Attorney's Relief Act," 20 and 21 Viet. c. 39, together with three copies of each of the New Zealand Statutes relating to admissions to practise as solicitors at the New Zealand Bar, and to request that your Lordship will be so good as to recommend Her Majesty to be pleased to make an Order in Council, under the 20th and 21st Viet. c. 9, extending the provisions of the Act to New Zealand. I have, &c., JAMES EERGUSSON, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. Governor.
Enclosures. Letter from Mr. J. A. Beale, 19tli April, 1873. Enclosure 2 with. 5 sub-enolosures. Enclosure 3.
No. 9. Copy of DESPATCH from Governor the Right Hon. Sir J. Eekgttsson, Bart., to the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimbebxey. (No. 61.) Government House, "Wellington, My Lord,— New Zealand, 25th July, 1873. Since I addressed you by the last mail, in my Despatch No. 51, of 30th June, 1873, with reference to certain doubtful points of precedency which had been brought to my notice by my Advisers, it has been suggested to me that the rule laid down by His Grace the Duke of Buckingham, for the precedency, in the Colony of New South Wales, of gentlemen who have received the permanent privilege of bearing the title of " honorable," and of wearing the uniform of their rank, viz., "that they should take precedence according to the dates in " order of the first appointment of each to the Executive Council, after existing "Executive Councillors," would not be entirely satisfactory, inasmuch as it might happen that a gentleman who had occupied, at different times, some office in the Ministry, would, upon the completion in the whole of a period of three years' service, and upon his retirement, become eligible for the permanent honorary distinction, and upon obtaining it would take precedence of any other who had previously obtained it, and whose service in the qualifying rank had been continuous, it might be, in the office of Premier.
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2. I have therefore to ask your consideration whether it would not be more satisfactory to determine that gentlemen thus distinguished shall take precedence in the order in which the said privilege may have been conferred upon them. I have, &c, JAMES FERGUSSON, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. Governor.
No. 10. Copt of DESPATCH from Governor the Right Hon. Sir J. Fergusson, Bart., to the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberlet. (No. 63.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord, — New Zealand, Ist August, 1873. I have the honor to forward for your information three copies of the Annual Financial Statement, delivered on the 29th ult., hy the Hon. Mr. Vogel, C.M.G., the Colonial Treasurer and Premier, which I venture to think will be found of great interest as illustrative of the condition and progress of New Zealand, and also of the plans upon which the Government are seeking to develop its resources. 2. For the first time, the account of the revenue is closed at the end of the financial year, the receipts at the Treasury up to the 30th June only being taken as the revenue of the year; and the system of control and pre-audit recently established enables the Treasurer to state, almost immediately after the close of the year, the result of its transactions. But the estimated balance of assets carried over will not in the present instance exceed £4,500. 3. The debt of the Colony, for loans contracted originally either by the General or Provincial Governments, now entirely assumed by the former, amounts to £10,369,706, causing an annual charge for— Interest and Sinking Fund of ... ... £632,132 The Estimated Revenue, 1872-73 ... ... 1,076,562 Actual Revenue... ... ... ... 1,119,402 The Estimated Expenditure, 1872-73 (including Supplementary Estimate) ... ... ... 1,077,303 Actual ... ... ... ... 1,113,398 Showing an increased Revenue over that of 1871-72 of 111,987 And one over the Estimate ... ... ... 42,840 And Surplus on the Year of ... ... 3,835 Up to 1870 there had been an annual deficiency, which had in great part been met by the issue of Treasury Bills. Prior to the year 1869-70 these had accumulated to a sum of £500,000, and the further deficit of that year amounted to £136,000. The latter sum was covered bya fresh issue of Treasury Bills, but the present Treasurer arranged for their gradual redemption. At the close of the year 1871-72 there remained £90,000 ; during 1872-73 there has been paid off a moiety of £45,000; and the remainder it is proposed to defray out of the revenue of this year. It is intended that the £500,000 outstanding from an earlier date shall not form part of the permanent debt of the Colony, but shall be renewed for a short time only, and be gradually extinguished. I cannot however forget, in viewing with satisfaction the extinction of this old debt owed by revenue out of the current income of the Colony, that the public has been since 1869 relieved of the heavy burden of the " Defence " expenditure, i.e., of the Armed Constabulary and other charges connected with the pacification of the Northern Island, and that a sum of £150,000 is still, and will be for two years more, defrayed under this head by means of loans. 4. The Estimated Expenditure for the year 1873-74 inclusive of an increased charge to the Immigration and Public Works Loan of ... £56,000 And the Redemption of Bills ... ... 45,000 Will amount to ... ... ... 1,131,688 The Estimated Revenue to ... ... 1,180,500 5. The Total Value of Imports during 1872-73 was ... 6,102,811 1871-72 ... 4,483,442 Exports 1872-73 ... 5,435,080 1871-72 ... 5,875,828 But the decrease in the latter is caused by a great, though perhaps temporary, falling off in the produce of gold, amounting to £813.335.
Enclosure.
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6. The Treasurer next announced the success which had attended the gradual reduction of the rate of interest on the public debt, showing that a considerable sale of 4 per cent, bonds had taken place at the minimum price of £90 10s. fixed by Government. It is intended that in future, loans shall be invited upon permanent bonds, without sinking or drawing funds, at 4 or 4^- per cent., at the discretion of the Agents. 7. The Government seek to provide for the spontaneous development of the Provinces by means of local works, confining the expenditure of the General Government upon public works to the gradual accomplishment of arterial communications, and leaving to the Provincial Governments the construction of light branch railways and tramways, of roads, bridges, harbour works, reclamations, buildings for educational and charitable purposes, gold fields works, &c. It is proposed that for such purposes the Provinces shall be empowered themselves to raise loans. This, to a certain extent, is a proposal in reversal of that determined in 1865, when the Provincial loans were assumed by the General Government; but it is now proposed that they shall only borrow upon specific securities, such as tolls and rates; and in certain cases, as for railways, upon reserved blocks of land; and that in no case shall the General or Provincial revenues be liable for any of these specially authorized loans. 8. With regard to the lines of railways undertaken by the General Government, there will probably be completed by the end of the present financial year 125 miles in addition to those already opened, viz., by the General Government, 31 miles; Provincial Government, 48 miles; and there will remain, authorized but not finished, 639 miles. Having regard to the increasing demand for public works, the Government do not intend to construct any more railways besides those already authorized, without retaining land in security for the loans applicable to their construction, and to the nominal value of twice their estimated cost. 9. When, two years ago, it was resolved by the Government to undertake a general scheme of public works for the development of the Colony, it was proposed to expend on such works and on immigration a sum of £8,500,000, and a loan was authorized of £4,000,000, of which £1,000,000 was guaranteed by the Imperial Government. In view of the greater increase of the public debt for the prosecution of this scheme, it is proposed that, under the provisions of the Imperial Guarantee Act Amendment Act, debentures upon the unexpended balance of £800,000 of the guaranteed loan shall be lodged in the Bank of England and held in reserve as security for temporary advances obtained by the Agents in London, and to be available in the event of a scarcity of money. Of the £8,500,000, £4,000,000 has been raised, and the Loan Bills for the present year will amount to £1,500,000, besides a sum of £500,000 for the purchase of Native lands, which will be resold by the Government or reserved in security for railway loans. 10. The pressing want of public buildings in various parts of the Colony will be in part met by loan expenditure, but " any loan for such a purpose it is intended " shall be made repayable within a not very long period of years." 11. It is intended to revise the tariff by substituting ad valorem for measurement duties, at rates varying from 15 to 10 per cent. I have, &c, JAMES EERGTTSSON, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. Governor.
No. 11. Copt of DESPATCH from Governor the Eight Hon. Sir J. Eergusson, Bart., to the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. (No. 64.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord, — New Zealand, Ist August, 1873. I have the honor to transmit three copies of a report from Mr. James Mackay, the officer who was directed to proceed to the Waikato district, for the purpose of inquiring into the circumstances of the murder of Timothy Sullivan. 2. This report gives a clear statement of those circumstances, and a graphic * See Appendix to Journals, 1873, Qt. No. 3.
Enclosure I.*
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account of his adventurous visit to the Chiefs of the " King " district. It illustrates forcibly the relative position of the European settlers and Natives along the 11 frontier." 3. There is no considerable change in the position of affairs since my Despatch No. 52, of the sth July. Little disposition has been displayed in the General Assembly, which has met since then, to raise a serious discussion upon Native affairs ; and the reference which was made to them by some speakers, in the course of the debate on the Address, was marked by moderation and prudence. I have, &c, JAMES FEEGUSSON, The Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. Governor.
Enclosure 2. Parliamentary Debates.
No. 12. Copy of DESPATCH from Governor the Eight Hon. Sir J. Fergttsson, Bart., to the Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. (No. 73.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord, — New Zealand, 30th September, 1873. I have the honor to transmit, in duplicate, a letter from Mr. Thomas Williams, covering printed copies of a letter to the First Lord of the Treasury, on the subject of alleged injustice done by the Government of this Colony to a Maori tribe called Ngatiraukawa. 2. I also enclose a Memorandum from the Native Minister, together with Eeports from the Under-Secretary to the Government, who are both of them conversant with the subject. 3. It is only necessary for me to observe that the case in question has been long since settled by the legally constituted tribunals whose duty it is to decide upon an immense number of cases of disputed title, and whose decisions are recognized, by both Europeans and Natives, as being just and impartial. I have, &c, JAMES FEEGUSSON, The Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. Governor.
Enclosure 1. Letter from Mr. Williams, 12th September, 1873. 2 Sub-enclosures. Letter to Mr. Gladstone, Mr. TraverB 1 memoir of Te Rauparaha. Enclosure No. 2. Memo, by Mr. McLean, and 2 Sub-enclosures, memoranda by Mr. Clarke and Mr. Cooper.
Enclosure in No. 12. My Lobd,— Taita, Wellington, New Zealand, 12th September, 1873. I have the honor of forwarding herewith four copies, in print, of a letter to the Eight Hon. W. E. Gladstone, being an appeal from myself on behalf of the Maoris of the Ngatiraukawa Tribe; also two copies of a memoir of Te Eauparaha, Chief of Ngatitoa, by Mr. W. T. L. Trayers. I trust that my having addressed my letter to the Eight Hon. W. B. Gladstone, and my having published the same, may not be considered out of order. I have the honor to state that my father, the Eev. Henry Williams, at the request of Governor Hobson, the first Governor of New Zealand, carried the Treaty of Waitangi to the Native Chiefs on both sides of Cook Strait. As I believe that Her Majesty's Treaty has been wholly disregarded by the Government of this country, in their treatment of the Ngatiraukawa Tribe with respect to their title to their land, and that great injustice has been done to the tribe ; and as every effort that has been made to obtain substantial justice for them in this country has signally failed, I have taken the liberty of laying the whole matter, as fully as I am able, before Her Majesty's Government, and of praying that a full investigation may be granted into their case. I have the honor to request that you will cause two copies of my letter, also a copy of Mr. Travers' memoir of Te Eauparaha, to be laid before the Eight Hon. W. E. Gladstone. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. Thomas J. Williams.
No. 13. Copt of DESPATCH from Governor the Eight Hon. Sir J. Fergtjsson, Bart., to the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. (No. 74.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord, — New Zealand, 30th September, 1873. I have the honor to inform you that I have been requested by my Advisers to submit to Her Majesty's Government the following considerations
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with respect to the presence of Her Majesty's ships on the coast of New Zealand. 2. That, after the withdrawal of the troops, it was understood by the Commissioners who went to England to confer with Her Majesty's Government, and especially by the present Premier of the New Zealand Ministry, Mr. Vogel, who had some correspondence on the subject with your Lordship, that Her Majesty's Government, without giving any pledge, because such pledge would be inconsistent with the general conditions of the service, would endeavour to allow two ships to show themselves frequently off the coasts of New Zealand; but that, except when vessels have met for the purpose of relief, two of Her Majesty's ships have not for a long time been stationed on this coast. 3. That they are aware of the duty imposed on the squadron in connection with the " Labour Traffic " amongst the Pacific Islands, and, believing that such duty is rather likely to be increased than diminished, they desire, upon the appointment of a new Commodore, to urge the claims of this Colony to the presence of two men-of-war, notwithstanding the requirements in other quarters. 4. They wish most respectfully to point out that there are certain duties due to New Zealand, with the performance of which no other duties should be allowed to interfere. They have a very strong opinion of the advantage of Her Majesty's ships being seen off the coast, for a purpose of which the importance has been recognized by Her Majesty's Government, namely, "to prevent any impression " amongst the Natives, that the removal of the troops implies an abandonment of "the Colony by the Queen." 5. I shall inform Captain Goodenough of this representation so soon as he shall have assumed command of the station, although I cannot anticipate that, with the force at his disposal, he can afford to leave more than one ship here, as has generally been the case. I know, however, that the ship now here is about to cruise round the North Island. 6. It is perhaps right for me to mention that the French Admiral's flag-ship, an iron-clad frigate, is at present visiting the harbour of Auckland, having been recently repaired at Sydney. I have, &c, JAMES FERGUSSON, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. Governor.
No. 14. Copy of DESPATCH from Governor the Right Hon. Sir J. Fergusson, Bart., to the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. (No. 75.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord, — New Zealand, 7th October, 1873. I have the honor to acknowledge your Lordship's Despatch No. 50, of 31st July, 1873, informing me that Her Majesty's Government had decided to affirm the claims and counter-claims with respect to certain charges on account of Her Majesty's troops formerly stationed in New Zealand, which had been in dispute between the Imperial and Colonial Governments, and enclosing copies of correspondence with the War Office upon the subject. 2. My Advisers are satisfied with the adjustment of these accounts thus communicated, but they are " not prepared to concur in the understanding attached " by the Secretary of State for War to the present settlement, that the Government " of New Zealand are thereby debarred from making any future claims with respect "to such charges, should due grounds for such present themselves." I have, &c, JAMES FERGUSSON, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. Governor.
No. 15. Copy of DESPATCH from Governor the Bight Hon. Sir J. Fergusson, Bart., to the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. (No. 76.) Government House, Wellington, My Loud, — New Zealand, 14th October, 1873. I have the honor to transmit a Bill, which I have reserved for the
Enclosure 1. Governor's Salary Bill, 1873.
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signification of Her Majesty's pleasure, for the alteration of the Governor's salary and allowances. It is my opinion that the terms proposed are satisfactory. 2. Soon after my arrival in June, my attention was called by' my Advisers to a correspondence which had passed between my predecessor and the then Ministry, with reference to the allowances of future Governors.* Sir George Bowen transmitted to your Lordship, on the 21st of February last, a copy of a Memorandum which Ministers had addressed to him, and of a Minute of his own in reply. He deprecated therein any alteration of the allowances previously provided, so as to affect my position, inasmuch as my appointment had been made and notified to the Colony before the proposal of Ministers. I did not, however, think it expedient to avail myself of this proviso on my behalf. 3. Hitherto the provision for the Governor has been as follows : — Salary fixed by Act of 1865 ... ... ... £4,500 Allowances Annually Voted ... ... ... 1,600 Allowances for Travelling ... ... ... 600 £6,700 Under the second head were paid — Private Secretary ... ... ... ... £383 Aide-de-Camp ... ... ... ... 300 Clerk of Council ... ... ... ... 250 Orderlies, Messengers, Forage, Gas, &c. But owing to the allowances being drawn under such various heads, there was sometimes an excess upon some of them, which, though of no considerable amount, has led to remarks in and out of Parliament, and, not unnaturally, to exaggerated statements. 4 The Ministry proposed to raise the salary of the Governor to £5,000, and that a sum of only £1,150 should be voted for the pay of the Staff, Clerk of Council, and office expenses, placing the tenure of Government House on the footing of what is known as the Queensland Act. A Bill was accordingly introduced to give effect to this arrangement, but as it appeared that there were other expenses connected with the house which had been accustomed to be charged to the public, and generally an excess upon the travelling expenses, Mr. Stafford, the leader of the Opposition, proposed that a sum should be fixed so as to include all payments whatsoever, and to this the Ministry asked my assent, naming £7,500 as likely to be sufficient. 5. The whole arrangement would be as follows :—Salary £5,000, allowances £1,500, paid monthly, and to be apportioned at the pleasure of the Governor, provided that £300 be paid to the Clerk of the Executive Council; travelling expenses, £1,000, the Governor's expenses under this head having averaged nearly that sum of late years; total, £7,500. Provision will also be made for keeping up the grounds at Government House, at £350, which I think adequate. The house and grounds at Auckland will be kept in repair during the absence of the Governor, and the Provincial Government of Otago maintain one for his use at Dunedin. 6. There has hitherto been kept for the use of the Governor a rough farm of about 600 acres on the opposite side of Port Nicholson, where there is a small cottage for his own use, and others for workpeople, with a kitchen garden, orchard, &c. This place, called Lowry Bay, was purchased during the administration of Mr. Weld, who intended to build a handsome country house for the Governor ; but the idea was abandoned, and the continued tenure of it has been rather tolerated than sanctioned by Parliament. It has been, however, maintained by the Government, though not in good repair. An Act has now been passed, by which the public Avill be at no further cost in connection with it; but as I regard such possession as being very desirable, seeing that the grounds about Government House are confined, and that there are there no kitchen garden ground or buildings for a dairy, laundry, poultry-yard, &c, I have expressed a wish to retain possession of it. The cost of repairing and adding to the existing buildings, fencing, draining, &c, estimated at from £1,500 to £2,000, will be advanced by the 3—A. 1.
• Vide Appendix toJournals.House of Representatives, 1873, A.— No. 18.
Enclosure 4. Ministerial Residence and Lowry Bay Sale Act, 1873.
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Treasury, and the interest at 5 per cent, will be paid by the Governor as long as he shall think it worth his while to retain possession of the place. It will thus be in the option of any future Governor to retain or relinquish it. 7. On the whole, I believe that under these arrangements the Governor will be sufficiently provided for, while there will be no room for complaints of encroachment and unauthorized expenditure on his behalf. 8. Although there is an apparent increase of £400 upon the former salary and allowances, I do not think this addition will do more than cover various charges which had been borne by the public for the benefit of the general heads of expenditure. But it is always inconvenient that there should be the necessity for requisitions made by him for accommodation of any kind, which the Ministry are to grant or refuse at their discretion. This will frequently occur when the furniture, &c, of Government House is provided by the public. Hereafter, only the reception-rooms and offices are to be so furnished; but all new furniture for any other part of the house, and all repairs of the old, will have to be found by the Governor. The very handsome provision already made will, however, relieve myself and my successors, for many years to come, of any considerable liability under this head. 9. I cannot omit to mention that there has been evinced on the part of the General Assembly a desire to provide on a liberal scale for the comfort of the Governor, while they have thought it expedient that expenditure on his behalf should be defined and prescribed. 10. I would recommend the Bill, which I transmit, for Her Majesty's assent, and submit for your Lordship's approval generally the arrangements which I have explained. I have, &c, JAMES EEEGUSSON, The Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. Governor.
No. 16. Copy of DESPATCH from Governor the Eight Hon. Sir J. Fergttsson, Bart., to the Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. (No. 80.) Government House, Auckland, My Lord, — New Zealand, 22nd October, 1873. ' The Premier, as Postmaster-General, has addressed to me a Memorandum respecting the small extent to which the Imperial Government contributes toward the cost of the Mail Packet Service which was for some time maintained between Great Britain and New Zealand by way of California. He urges that the Imperial contribution was in a much less proportion than has been fixed as fair towards the cost of the new service undertaken jointly by the Governments of New South Wales and New Zealand; that it appears to have left a certain margin of profit to the Imperial Government; and that some help ought rather to have been given to a Colonial Government through whose enterprise an additional means of communication between the Mother Country and the Colonies has been opened. 2. I think it best in this case to forward a copy of the Ministerial Memorandum, as well as of that of the Secretary of the Post Office, on whose calculations the former is partly founded. 3. It can hardly be necessary for me to refer to the great energy which has been displayed by the Government and Legislature of New Zealand in the prosecution of every scheme which offers a prospect of advancement and development, or to remark that it is to the Mother Country that almost all the profitable earnings of the Colony revert beyond what she can herself absorb. But I can assure your Lordship that the liberal co-operation of the Imperial Government in such enterprises as may benefit in common the Colony and the Empire, is received by the former with grateful appreciation. 4. I have approved of a copy of Mr. Vogel's Memorandum being sent to the Agent of the Colony in London, who will be able, if your Lordship pleases, to afford any further information which may be desired upon the subject. I have, &c, JAMES FEEGUSSON, The Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. Governor.
Enclosure 1. Memo, by the Premier, 17th Oct., 1873. Enclosure 2. Memo, by Mr. Gray, 16th Oct., 1873.
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Enclosure in No. 16. Memorandum by the Hon. J. VoeEi. The Postmaster-General has the honor to call His Excellency's attention to the little assistance which the Colony has received with respect to the Californian service. Although New Zealand commenced the service, and was subjected to all the difficulties incidental to the initiation of a new enterprise of the kind, it is yet substantially placed in a very much worse position in respect to the past, than the Colony of New South Wales, in conjunction with New Zealand, will be placed in respect to the new service about to be commenced. The Home Government have paid to New Zealand, on account of the postage receipts for the letters sent by the route, the sum of £1,534 only. Whereas, if it had applied to this Colony the same principle as will regulate its contribution to the new service after the end of this year, New Zealand would have received, it is estimated, about £17,116. The amount paid to New Zealand is the absolute profit, after defraying the whole of the expenses from San Francisco to New York, including allowance of the British inland rate, and for all charges from London to San Francisco, including allowance for outward British postages, and including also a charge for the cost of transmitting the mails by the Atlantic steamers, although the greater part of the mails were, it is believed, forwarded by a steamer to which the Imperial Post Office did not make any extra payment. The Colony was more liberally treated during the existence of the Panama service; for in that case, the Imperial Government carried the mails free, to and from Aspinwall. The Postmaster-General ventures to ask that His Excellency will represent, as strongly as possible, to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, the hardship which it appears to Ministers the Colony will sustain as a return for its enterprise in initiating a service- which must prove exceedingly important to the Imperial Government, and which has already been very largely used for Imperial purposes, and to urge that the Colony may be more liberally dealt with. It is proposed, if His Excellency does not object, to send a copy of this Memorandum to the Agent-General, and to request him to see the Secretary of State for the Colonies on the subject. The Postmaster-General will be glad if Hia Excellency can see his way to make such a representation to the Secretary of State as will induce him to lend a favourable ear to the representations of the AgentGeneral. Wellington, 17th October, 1873. Julius Vooel. Memorandum for the Hon. the Postmaster-General. It is estimated that the postages which would be due this Colony from the Imperial Post Office, if payment were based on the arrangement to be brought into operation on the Ist January next, would amount to £17,116. From this sum may be deducted about £6,000, estimated to have been paid by the London Post Office for the territorial and sea transit of mails between San Francisco and the United Kingdom; as well as a sum of £1,534 credited this Colony in April last, representing, after defraying all charges, the surplus accruing to the London Office on account of the San Francisco service up to Juno, 1872. Although the cost of the transit of the newspaper and book portions of our mails from San Francisco to England, and the cost for conveying the newspaper and book portions of the English mails from New York to San Francisco, was made a charge on this Colony, it should be remembered that the Imperial Post Office, by the proposed new arrangement, now undertakes to defray the cost of conveying mails from San Francisco to London and from London to San Francisco; and were this in force during the period of the late service, the accounts would have stood thus: — Estimated postage ... ... ... ... £17,116 Less amount credited Colony ... ... ... 1,534 Balance due Colony ... ... ... £15,582 General Post Office, Wellington, 16th October, 1873. W. Gray.
No. 17. Copy of DESPATCH from Governor the Right Hon. Sir J. Fergusson, Bart., to the Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. (No. 81.) Government House, Auckland, My Lord,— New Zealand, 22nd October, 1873. My Advisers are desirous that I shall inform your Lordship of the yet increasing efforts and more liberal offers which they are making in order to attract industrious population to the Colony. Although a continuous stream of immigrants is passing to the Provinces, according to their individual selection, the number falls short of the demand, and the Government, the Legislature, and the public are agreed that no needful expense shall be spared to procure a supply of labour adequate for the present requirements of the Colony. I have the honor to enclose a copy of a telegram lately despatched to the Agent of the Colony in London, giving him large powers and liberal means for his purpose, the principal features of which are, —
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The grant of free passages to suitable immigrants. The advance of expenses of travelling to the port of embarkation, and of outfit, if necessary. The provision of lodging in London while awaiting the preparation of ship. The immediate hire of large steamers expressly for the conveyance of immigrants to New Zealand. 2. I have also to enclose copies of the Regulations for Nominated Immigrants, and of an Act, passed in the Session which has just closed, for giving free grants of land to immigrants who pay their own passages. 3. I desire to remark that I have observed, since my arrival in this Colony, no jealousy of the introduction by Government of persons who will compete for employment with the existing labouring classes, which appears to me to prove the abundance of employment, and the easy condition of those who depend upon wages. 4. My Advisers request me to represent to Her Majesty's Government, through your Lordship, that if, as they hope, their efforts to attract to the Colony a portion of the growing population of the United Kingdom are recognized to be a fulfilment of a duty and a benefit to the Empire at large, they may receive such encouragement and assistance as it is in the power of Her Majesty's Government to afford, without showing partiality to one Colony, or infringing any rule. They desire, especially, permission to have their official notices to intending immigrants affixed within the premises of Post Offices within Great Britain and Ireland, of course at their own expense, and under such conditions as may be imposed. They would further request that their Agent in London may be permitted to have a list of the depositors in the Post Office Savings Bank, to each of whom he would send a copy of the terms offered by the Government of New Zealand. 5. There is some difficulty in bringing these to the notice of large numbers of persons who might be induced to emigrate, and who would be desirable acquisitions to the Colony. Many who are attracted by advertisements in the newspapers most read by the working classes are not of the best type, and perhaps many little educated persons in remote districts would be useful additions to the labouring class in the Colony, while they could be well spared in any land. Moreover, it may be anticipated that some who are attracted by the cheapness and facility of a passage to the United States of America, but deterred by the climate of Canada, would prefer to dwell under British Government in the almost perfect climate of this Colony, if assured that they could reach it with equal or greater ease. 6. I would ask a favourable consideration of these requests, but by no means as a favour to this Colony which would not be extended to any other. I have, &c, JAMES FERGUSSON, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. Governor.
No. 18. Copy of DESPATCH from Governor the Right Hon. Sir J. Eergttsson, Bart., to the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberxey. (No. 86.) • Government House, Wellington, My Lord, — New Zealand, 6th November, 1873. With reference to your Despatch No. 47, of 11th July, 1873, transmitting copies of correspondence with the Foreign Office, respecting the proposed establishment, by the United States Government, of stations for the observation of the transit of Venus, I have the honor to inform you that my Government gladly comply with the request of General Schenck, that the instruments required for the observations should be admitted into the Colony free of duty, and that all Government officers have been directed to afford the expedition any assistance in their power. I have, &c, JAMES EERGUSSON, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. Governor.
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No. 19. Copy of DESPATCH from Governor the Right Hon. Sir J. Eergusson, Bart., to the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. (No. 88.) My Lord, — Christchurch, New Zealand, 17th December, 1873. I avail myself of the first despatch of a mail by the new service via California to inform you respecting a slight disturbance among the Native population near Otaki, which may possibly be exaggerated in newspaper reports. 2. I have the honor to state that during last week some acts of violence were committed by the members of a tribe called Muaupoko, by way of the forcible ejectment of members of the tribe Ngatiraukawa from lands occupied by the latter, but adjudged by the Native Land Court to belong to the former in settlement of a dispute of very long standing. The total amount of land awarded was 50,000 acres, but the portion immediately in question had, I understand, been understood to be excepted, on special grounds, from the operation of the award. A chief named Hunia, who has served on our side under Major Kemp, burned the huts and destroyed the crops on this portion, Avhereupon some fighting with firearms ensued, which was at first reported, but is now contradicted, to have been attended with loss of life. The connection of one of the tribes with Waikato rendered the affair more serious than in itself it would have appeared; and some unruly members of the tribes declared an intention of forcing on hostilities. However, the Government officers of the district, acting under instructions from the Native Minister, the Hon. Mr. McLean, have procured the submission of both parties to a reference to a Commission of Government officers. 3. The Native Minister informs me that he has had much reason to be satisfied with the conduct and assistance of Major Kemp. In consequence of these occurrences, I had postponed from day to day my departure by land for Dunedin, but all cause for apprehension is now removed. 4. The altered circumstances of the Government in dealing with any Native disturbance may be estimated by the fact that the Native Minister, who was at the moment on a tour at Turanganui, in Poverty Bay, was able, without delay, to consult with his colleagues and subordinates, and to give his instructions by telegraph, keeping informed the Premier, who is at Dunedin, and myself here; the relative positions corresponding nearly to those of Inverness, Edinburgh, Hull, and London, and the scene of disturbance, being near the West Coast, as Glasgow. Besides this, the highly efficient state of the Armed Constabulary, and their judicious distribution, furnish, if need be, the means of interference and of the arrest of the turbulent in any but the isolated district which I have formerly described. 5. No Europeans were in any way concerned in this affair. I conjecture that the rehearing which the case is now to receive, is and was desired by both parties to the dispute. I have, &c, JAMES EERGUSSON, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. Governor.
No. 20. Copt of DESPATCH from Governor the Right Hon. Sir J. Fergttsson, Bart., to the Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. (No. 95.) My Lord, — Dunedin, New Zealand, 29th December, 1873. In reply to your Circular Despatch No. 1, of the 7th June, 1873, with respect to a proposed convention of the German Empire for the exemption of the subjects of either power from military service, &c, I have the honor to inform you that my Advisers are of opinion, and request me to represent to your Lordship, that when a German has been naturalized and admitted to the privileges of citizenship in a British Colony, he should not be relieved of the duties of that position, especially when, as is generally the case with Germans in New Zealand,
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he has been brought out at the expense of the Colony. Moreover, in New Zealand there are special circumstances which render it inexpedient that any portion of the European inhabitants should be excused from local military service. A portion of its territory is still occupied by a semi-civilized race not altogether satisfied with the altered state of things, and it is chiefly to the increased preponderance of the European population, liable as it is to militia service, that the Colony may fairly look for gradual relief from the burden of its permanent defensive force. It is still possible that the occurrence of a Native outbreak might render the services of the able-bodied male population, or at least of the Militia of the North Island, indispensable. My Advisers do not believe that in such a contingency Germans would plead their nationality as an excuse for abstaining from taking part in the defence of their homes or of the country in which they have settled; but they do not think that any portion of the community should be entitled to do so. They would have me also point out that in New Zealand, aliens are allowed by law to hold land, and that it is, therefore, of doubtful justice to exempt them from the usual obligations of citizens in respect of judicial and municipal functions. 2. I would therefore ask Her Majesty's Government to consider the propriety of excepting from the operation of the proposed convention, subjects who may have settled in Colonies, at least in respect of local military and municipal service. 3. There are none of the Nations with whose Governments similar conventions have already been entered into, from whom any great number of immigrants are likely to settle in British Colonies; but already the numbers of Germans in this and other Colonies are considerable, and would be largely increased but for the impediments at present created by the German Government. I have, &c, JAMES EERGUSSON, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. Governor.
No. 21. Copt of DESPATCH from Governor the Right Hon. Sir J. Eergttsson, Bart., to the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. (No. 1.) My Lord, — Dunedin, New Zealand, 4th January, 1874. I have the honor to inform you that yesterday morning, upon the receipt of a telegram from the local authorities, that an emigrant ship named the " Surat " had been wrecked upon the coast about fifty miles south of this place, Captain Jacquemart, commanding the Erench man-of-war "La Vire," at once undertook to proceed from Port Chalmers, where his ship was at anchor, to render assistance. It appears that the crew and passengers, the latter amounting to 300, had been landed without loss of life, being able, however, to save but few of their effects. A small steamer reached the spot about the same time as "La Vire," by means of which the whole of the passengers were placed on board of the latter, though not without difficulty, as rather a high sea was running. They were safely landed in Port Chalmers to-day, the utmost kindness having been shown them by the captain, his officers, and crew. Captain Jacquemart had before his departure declined to be furnished with provisions and other supplies for the relief of the shipwrecked persons, and entertained them handsomely from his own supplies. 2. I went to Port Chalmers this afternoon, and on board of "La Vire," for the purpose of thanking the Captain for his prompt and generous assistance, but for which the passengers must have suffered considerable hardship if not loss of life. ■ 3. Her Majesty's Government may perhaps deem Captain Jacquemart's conduct worthy of their acknowledgment to the Erench Government. I have, &c, JAMES EERGUSSON, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. Governor.
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No. 22. Copy of DESPATCH from Governor the Right Hon. Sir J. Fergusson, Bart., to the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. (No. 4.) My Lord, — Invercargill, New Zealand, 19th January, 1874. In reply to your Lordship's Despatch No. 69, of 10th October, 1873, transmitting a copy of a letter addressed to Earl Granville by Messrs. Shaw, Savill, and Co., upon the subject of a fine imposed by the Government of New Zealand upon one of their vessels, I have the honor to enclose, for your Lordship's information, papers printed in the Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, D. 1, 1873, which contain a full account of the circumstances which led to the prosecution of the " Glenlora." 2. It will be seen that in each case short issue of rations, in contravention of the 35th clause of "The Passenger Act, 1855," was distinctly proved, and that although the plea urged by Messrs. Shaw, Savill, and Co., that the necessity for short issue arose from the presence on board of the shipwrecked crew of the "Fuchs," and was advanced in the defence, it appears to have been entirely disposed of by the evidence of the third mate, whose duty it was to serve out the provisions, and who distinctly swore that the shipwrecked persons were provisioned out of the crew's stores, which are always kept and issued separately from those put on board for the emigrants. 3. The captain of the ship, who was imbecile from habitual drunkenness, and who had been superseded in the command by the chief officer, was unable to give the Court any information as to the stores shipped in London, and it appears clear that he had miscalculated the quantity necessary for the passage from the Mauritius to New Zealand, even had his careless navigation not tended, as it did, to prolong the voyage materially. 4. Your Lordship will probably be of opinion that it is upon the Colonial Government, if upon any one, that the present claim for reimbursement should be made, they being the contracting parties with Messrs. Shaw, Savill, and Co., but that there is no good ground for any such claim. 5. I think it right to add, as there appears, in the Memorandum of the Minister for Immigration upon the case, an expression implying censure upon the Agent-General of the Colony, that that officer defended himself in the subsequent correspondence, and that the arrangements made for the immigrants who arrived since I have been in the Colony have been generally excellent. I have, &c, JAMES FERGUSSON, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. Governor.
No. 23. Copy of DESPATCH from Governor the Right Hon. Sir J. Fergusson, Bart., to the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. (No. 5.) My Lord, — Invercargill, New Zealand, 19th January, 1874. The Government of New Zealand are contemplating a scheme for the conservation and extension of the forests, which hitherto have been greatly wasted; and with a view to the establishment of a scientific system, they are desirous of procuring information as to the system adopted in countries where the State forests are managed as a valuable branch of the national property. 2. I have the honor to request that you will have the goodness to obtain for our use, through the Foreign Department, copies of the Forest Regulations of Germany, France, and Sweden and Norway ; and I would state that the value of this information would be enhanced if it could be made available during the next Session of the General Assembly, which may commence about the end of June. 3. I would further ask your Lordship to do me the favour of obtaining in like manner copies of the Government Regulations of the Spanish Government in Cuba and Manilla, for the growth, manufacture, and sale of tobacco, and of the Nether-
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lands East Indian Government in Java; with any account which those Governments would be so good as to furnish of the system of culture. 4. The Government are contemplating the direct encouragement of tobacco culture in the Province of Auckland, for which it appears to be well adapted, and which might supply the want of a special industry calculated to induce the progress of that Province at an equal rate with others. I have, &c, JAMES FERGUSSON, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. Governor.
No. 24. Copy of DESPATCH from Governor the Right Hon. Sir J. Fergtjsson, Bart., to the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimbekley. (No. 8.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord, — New Zealand, 18th February, 1874. At the request of my Advisers, I have the honor to inform you that the Provincial Government of Otago are anxious to present Captain Jacquemart, of the French ship "La Vire," with a service of plate in recognition of the prompt assistance which he rendered to the shipwrecked passengers and crew of the immigrant ship " Surat," of the particulars of which I informed your Lordship in my Despatch No. 1, of 4th January, 1874. 2. I understand that, by the rules of the French naval service, Captain Jacquemart is not permitted to receive such a testimonial without permission of his Government. 3. I have therefore the honor to request that you will be so good as to move the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, with a view to obtaining the requisite permission from the French Government. 4. The plate has been forwarded to the Agent-General for New Zealand in London, with instructions to hold it in his possession until communicated with by your Lordship on the subject. I have, &c, JAMES FERGUSSON, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. Governor.
No. 25. Copy of DESPATCH from Governor the Eight Hon. Sir J. Fergusson, Bart., to the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimbekley. (No. 9.) Government House, Wellington, My Loud, — New Zealand, 18th February, 1874. I have the honor to inform you that I have to-day returned here after an absence of three months, which I have spent in the Provinces of Canterbury and Otago, paying also, from the former, a short visit to Westland, upon the occasion of its proclamation as a Province, under an Act of the last Session of the General Assembly. 2. I had been led to expect that my residing for some time, during the Parliamentary recess, in the Provincial capitals would be generally acceptable, and comfortable residences were provided by the Provincial Governments, besides an ample supply of horses for my conveyance about the country. 3. I have thus been able to see at leisure these important and prosperous districts, and to become acquainted with their leading men to an extent that would be impossible by residing during the greater part of the year at the seat of Government. I was able to make arrangements for the despatch of business at my temporary residences, which obviated inconvenience. 4. The Provinces of Canterbury and Otago present striking evidences of their great capabilities and speedy development, and the Provincial administration
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of both, though differing considerably in character, appeared to me to be enlightened and vigorous. With the improvements of the means of interior communication, which a few years will accomplish, a greatly increased rate of progression may be anticipated, and a constantly extending field for industrial employment. 5. At the end of January I left Invercargill in my yacht, on a visit to the Sounds on the south-west coast, from which my return has been delayed beyond my intentions by the extremely unfavourable winds which I encountered. 6. I propose, during the months of March, April, and May, to reside for some time in Auckland, and to visit the Provinces of Hawke's Bay, Taranaki, Nelson, and Marlborough; also the peculiarly Native districts. I also intend to inspect the local military forces of the North Island. I have, &c, JAMES FEEGUSSON, The Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. Governor.
No. 26. Copy of DESPATCH from Governor the Eight Hon. Sir J. Fergtjsson, Bart., to the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimbebxey. (No. 10.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord, — New Zealand, 20th Eebniary, 1874. I have the honor to inform you that some little excitement has been caused in the Colony, and some strongly worded articles in newspapers have appeared, with reference to the pardon and embarkation for America of one Sullivan, who was convicted of murder in the year 1866. It has moreover been represented that the Government have shipped off this person to America in order that the Colony might be rid of him, and it has been stated in newspapers that some persons who disapproved of that course have telegraphed to America in order that his landing there might be prevented. 2. As a matter of fact, the man in question, who had embarked on board of the mail steamer from Dunedin for San Francisco, having been recognized on board, quitted the vessel when she called at Auckland. But my Advisers think it possible that some complaint, founded upon the allegation above mentioned, may reach Her Majesty's Government, and desire that I should inform your Lordship of the facts of the case. 3. In 1866 a series of murders were committed upon travellers in the neighbourhood of the gold fields in Westland and Nelson, and upon the disappearance of four persons near the town of Nelson, suspicion of their murder was. attached to four men, who were arrested. But the bodies of the missing persons not having been found, a proclamation was issued by the Governor, promising a pardon to any one but the actual murderers who would give evidence leading to their conviction. A copy of this proclamation was placed within that part of the prison where the suspected men were confined. Accordingly, one of them made a full statement of the murder of the missing persons by the gang to which he belonged, and indicated the place at which the bodies would be found. Upon the trial of his three companions, they were convicted and subsequently executed. He was an important witness for the Crown. 4. His confessions, however, were so unreserved, that he also detailed the circumstances of the separate murders of two other persons by the same gang while he was connected with it; and with reference to one of these, he was himself put upon his trial upon his own confession, and sentenced to death, that sentence being commuted by the Governor to penal servitude for life. Upon his trial he made no defence, relying, apparently, on the proclaimed promise of pardon, although he was duly warned that it did not apply to other crimes than those expressly mentioned. 5. Since the time of his conviction, he has frequently petitioned the Governor for pardon on the faith of the proclamation, and some persons have constantly interested themselves on his behalf, especially those whose duty it was to prepare the case for the Crown against his accomplices. His petitions had not, however, 4—A. 1.
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during the seven years been entertained, chiefly, I believe, owing to the horror which had been caused to the public by the disclosure of the series of crimes in which he had been concerned. 6. Upon Sullivan's addressing a fresh petition to myself, I made myself acquainted with the facts, and referred the petition to the Executive Council, who recommended his pardon, which I granted, with an entire approval of their advice. I may mention the chief grounds for that opinion. All those who received or listened to Sullivan's confessions, were impressed with the belief that they were full and unreserved. They were confirmed in every particular, as far as could be ascertained. They resulted in the destruction of a most dangerous gang, and in the suppression of similar crimes. It did not appear that Sullivan actually killed any one, for his companions distrusted his resolution, and employed him to keep watch while they seized and despatched their victims. There was reason to believe that they had used their knowledge of his previous history, he having been a convict in Tasmania, to entrap him into joining their gang, and that he was an unintentional accomplice in the first murder that subsequently took place, being, possibly, thereafter retained by fear of discovery. Finally, there was much reason to fear that future promises of pardon would fail to induce confessions, if the spirit of the promise made to this man were permanently disregarded. 7. The pardon being granted, it became known to the Government that Sullivan, if discharged in the Colony, would be exposed to great danger from the friends of the criminals whom he had betrayed; he entreated protection and assistance in leaving the Colony; and he continued for several months to reside in Dunedin Gaol, voluntarily performing hard labour, as formerly, with a view to disarm suspicion. He was, of course, free to proceed to any other country, and desired to go to South America; but it was found impossible to procure for him a conveyance direct thither, and at last it was decided to send him by way of San Francisco. That attempt has been frustrated : but 1 beg to assure your Lordship that there has been no condition attached to his pardon, of his proceeding to any particular country; that the Government interfere with his movements solely from a needful regard to his personal safety; and I may further state, that lam informed that the man is a skilful tradesman, who, wherever he may go, is likely to seek and follow gladly industrial occupation for his own maintenance. 8. It is not surprising that in the account of this man's crimes, given by irresponsible persons, great exaggerations should be made, and he may be represented in America, as he has been here, as having been, in fact, the worst of the gang. His accomplices, whom his evidence contributed largely to bring to justice, not unnaturally endeavoured to produce that effect, but, as I believe, without truth. I have, &c, JAMES FERGUSSON, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. Governor.
No. 27. Copy of DESPATCH from Governor the Right Hon. Sir J. Fergusson, Bart., to the Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. (No. 12,) Government House, Wellington, My Lord, — New Zealand, 2nd March, 1874. In reply to your Despatch No. 85, of the 12th December, 1873, with respect to the presence of Her Majesty's ships on the coast of New Zealand, which I have communicated to my Ministers, I have the honor to inform you that they would have me readily acknowledge on their part that no express rule has been laid down on the part of Her Majesty's Government as to the stationing of a fixed number of vessels of war on the coast of New Zealand, but they submit that the tenor of the correspondence is such as to imply that the removal of Her Majesty's troops would not be followed by that of Her Majesty's ships. 2. The Native Minister especially represents that the occasional appearance of a man-of-war on the shores of districts sparsely inhabited by Europeans, had a most salutary result during past years ; and even now, the arrival of a cruiser at
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such spots (rare as it is) gives assurance to the settlers, and encouragement to the Natives most friendly to the Europeans. The Native Minister instances the late cruise of H.M.S. " Basilisk," which was interrupted by orders from the Admiralty to repair to New Guinea for the purpose of completing the discoveries made by Captain Moresby, during which several places on the East Coast were visited, where a man-of-war had not touched for a length of time. The Native Minister considers that this cruise was productive of a marked effect for good. Her Majesty's naval forces have always been looked upon as the chief type of Her Majesty's supremacy, and so long as the exigencies of the service do not interfere, the Native Minister would respectfully urge that this feeling should not be lost sight of. 3. In communicating these views to your Lordship, in which I have reason to concur, I must bear testimony to the desire shown by the Commodore to provide for this service, and to the immediate steps which he took to replace H.M.S. " Basilisk ;" but it is evident that while the greater part of the Australian squadron is required for special service in the Pacific, its present small numbers cannot afford that Her Majesty's ships shall be present as frequently as formerly upon the Australian and New Zealand coasts. I have, &c, JAMES EERGUSSON, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. Governor.
No. 28. Copy of DESPATCH from Governor the Eight Hon. Sir J. Eergusson, Bart., to the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. (No. 13.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord, —■ New Zealand, 11th March, 1874. In reply to your Despatch No. 86, of 12th December last, transmitting a copy of a letter from the India Office, stating that the Telegraph Department administrations of South Australia and New Zealand prohibit acceptance of telegrams for Europe labelled via Teheran, I have the honor to transmit a Memorandum from the Premier, who is also Commissioner of Telegraphs, with enclosures, explanatory of the alleged prohibition. 2. I would add that I believe the Government of New Zealand are alive to the advantages of alternate telegraphic lines. I have, &c, JAMES EERGTTSSQN, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. Governor.
Enclosure in No. 28. His Excellency is referred to Mr. Lemon's memorandum. The matter complained of seems to have arisen through a mistake. Mr. Lemon's recollection does not tally with the statement made by Captain Holt. Mr. Lemon believes he explained to Captain Holt that it would be better not to mark the telegram " via Teheran," because he had no authority to accept a telegram of the kind. In fact, the Company had overlooked placing the New Zealand Telegraph Department in possession of the necessary information to enable such a telegram to be forwarded with confidence: for example, Mr. Lemon did not know the rate by Teheran. The Telegraph Department has no desire to favour any particular line, and fully recognizes the advantages of alternative rates. The Company forwarding by Teheran may rely on its interests being protected, and receiving fair consideration, if it places the Department in possession of the terms, &c, for using its lines. Wellington, 9th March, 1874. Julius Yogel. Sub-Enclosure 1 to Enclosure in No. 28. I attach hereto a copy of a letter received by me from Mr. Knevitt, the Agent of the Java Cable Company at Adelaide, and also copy of my reply. Prior to the receipt of Mr. Knevitt's letter, no intimation had ever been received by this Department as to the forwarding of telegrams by any special route, or that such could be effected if the sender of a telegram so desired it; consequently no instructions have ever been issued from this office to the telegraph offices throughout New Zealand, not to receive telegrams with the words " via Teheran." "VVe are under no agreement to work with the Java cable, as stated by Mr. Holt in his letter, as my
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reply to him. "When Mr. Holt tendered the telegram, with instructions written on it to forward " via " Teheran," the telegram was not forwarded as so addressed in the first instance, but altered by Mr. Holt, at my request, for this reason : —At the time the telegram was tendered to be sent " via Teheran" I was not aware that the Java Cable Company undertook to forward telegrams by that route, and consequently did not feel myself justified in accepting telegrams so addressed. Mr. Knevitt, in first communicating with me when the cable route was about to be opened, simply sent me a tariff of charges for telegrams from New Zealand for England, and never mentioned anything as to any special route that could be selected by the sender of a telegram after its arrival in India. Mr. Andrews states that circulars were sent from his Company to the merchants in New Zealand, " drawing their attention, &c," and that telegrams " would traverse this Company's line if marked ' vid " Teheran,' or the Eastern Company's line if marked vid ' Malta,' thus giving the sender .... " the chance of two routes." I would remark that had the Company in question forwarded one of the circulars arbove alluded to to this office, that doubtless the telegram offered by Messrs. Brogden, marked " vid Teheran," would have been accepted as addressed, and forwarded accordingly. C. Lemon, New Zealand Telegraph, Head Office, "Wellington, General Manager. 21st February, 1874. Sub-Enclosure 2 to Enclosure in No. 28. Sib,— Adelaide, 23rd December, 1873. I have the honor to inform you that I have been instructed by telegram to the effect that the India Office complain of your Department having refused to forward European messages if marked by the sender " vid Teheran." By Articles 14 and 40 of the Home Telegraph Convention, the sender has the privilege, in the case of there being more than one route for the transmission of his message, of directing by which route his telegram is to be forwarded. There are three telegraph routes to Europe from India, and it is undoubtedly to the advantage of senders of messages to specify no particular route, but to leave his telegram to be dealt with as laid down in the first paragraph of Article 14 of the Eome Telegraph Convention, copy of which I had the honor to forward you some time since. Will you have the goodness to favour me with a reply as to the correctness of the remarks put forward by the India Office, that I may telegraph it to London. I have, &c, Samttel Rnevitt, C. Lemon, Esq., General Manager, Agent to the Company. New Zealand Telegraph Department. Sub-Enclosure 3 to Enclosure in No. 28. New Zealand Telegraph, Head Office, "Wellington, Sib,— 16th January, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 23rd ultimo, and in reply beg to inform you that until recently I was not aware that your Company undertook to forward telegrams "vid Teheran," or any other route but the one employed by you. The only application ever made to this office to forward a telegram "vid Teheran" was from Messrs. Brogden and Sons, and on that occasion, being uncertain about the matter, the instruction given to forward "vid Teheran" was withdrawn. I would take this opportunity of asking you if, in the event of a telegram being directed to be forwarded by a special route, and which becomes interrupted prior to the arrival of the telegram with you, would it necessitate that telegram being held over until communication were restored, or would it be forwarded by some other ? I mention this, as the last portion of Article 14, "Eome Convention," does not appear to be very clear on the subject. While on this subject, I may inform you that an extra charge made by you for forwarding a telegram vid Siberia, in April last, when the cable between Penang and Madras was interrupted, amounting to £2 10s. 6d., from Messrs. Standish and Hammerton, of New Plymouth, remains uncollected, those gentlemen refusing to pay the extra charge. I would esteem it a favour if you would inform me if this amount will be refunded by you. I have, &c, C. Lemon, S. Knevitt, Esq., Adelaide. General Manager.
No. 29. Copy of DESPATCH from Governor the Right Hon. Sir J. Fergusson, Bart., ■to the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. (No. 18.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord,— New Zealand, 12th March, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge your Despatch No. 2, of the sth January, 1874, transmitting a copy of a letter from the Admiralty, intimating their Lord-
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ships' wish that Commodore Goodenough should resign his seat in the Executive Council of New Zealand, in which your Lordship concurs. 2. I shall doubtless shortly receive the Commodore's resignation, and in the meantime I have informed the Council of your Lordship's communication. They have requested me to state to your Lordship that in recommending me to offer the appointment to the Commodore, they were chiefly actuated by a desire that respect should be shown to the highest officer in Her Majesty's service, and that they had in view precedents of similar appointments of officers commanding the troops in the whole of the Australasian Colonies to the Executive Council of this Colony, if not to those of others. I have, &c, JAMES EERGUSSON, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. Governor.
No. 30. Copy of DESPATCH from Governor the Right Hon. Sir J. Eergusson, Bart., to the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. (No. 20.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord, — New Zealand, 2nd April, ] 874. I have the honor to inform you, in reply to your Circular Despatch of the Ist August, 1873, enclosing a copy of the preamble and of six sections of a Bill introduced into the House of Lords by my Lord Blachford, with a view to make better provision for the transmission of property given in trust for Colonial Bishops, that this purpose is provided for in New Zealand by certain Colonial Acts passed in 1858, 1868, and 1872, copies of which I inclose. 2. I am informed by the Attorney-General that numerous parcels of land have been granted to the Bishop of New Zealand and his successors on divers trusts, and that some have been granted under the Land Regulations in force under the Royal Instructions and Charters of 1840 and 1846. 3. My Ministers do not anticipate that any difficulty will arise in providing for the transmission of such property as is referred to in your Lordship's Despatch. 4. I have caused a letter to be addressed to each Bishop of the Church of England in New Zealand, transmitting a copy of your Lordship's Despatch and of its enclosures, with a request that he will give information as to the real and personal property given to him, showing whether it has been given under local Ordinances, deed of trust, or otherwise; and that he will state whether he desires that any communication shall be made to your Lordship in reply to the second of your inquiries. 5. But, as some time may elapse before I receive replies from their Lordships, I think it right to reply so far without delay. I have, &c, JAMES EERGUSSON, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. Governor.
Acts of Assembly, XVII. of 1858, VII. of 1868, and IV. of 1872.
No. 31. Copy of DESPATCH from Governor the Right Hon. Sir J. Eergttsson, Bart., to the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. (No. 21.) Government House, Auckland My, Lord — New Zealand, Bth April, 1874. I have the honor to inform you that the convict Joseph Thomas Sullivan, the particulars of whose case were stated in my Despatch No. 10, of 20th February last, having received a pardon conditionally on his leaving and not returning to New Zealand, emharked for London on the 31st ultimo, as a passenger on board of the ship " Hindostan." He has taken the name of Clark. 2. The prison authorities and police, to whom this man is well known, consider that it is very unlikely that he will engage in any kind of crime, but that,
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arriving in London unknown to any of the criminal class, he will either endeavour to find industrial employment, or carry out his present desire of proceeding to the Western States of North America, where he would have gone from New Zealand but for his discovery when about to embark. 3. The man has been furnished with money for his temporary subsistence or further journey. I have, &c, JAMES EERGUSSON, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. Governor.
No. 32. Copy of DESPATCH from Governor the Right Hon. Sir J. Eekgtjsson, Bart., to the Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. (No. 25.) Government, House, Auckland, My Lord, — New Zealand, 13th April, 1874. With reference to your Despatch No. 7, of the 23rd January, I have the honor to request that you will have the goodness to convey to the PostmasterGeneral the thanks of the Government of New Zealand for his promise on their behalf in respect to exhibiting their official notices to intending emigrants within the premises of the Post Offices in Great Britain and Ireland. I have, &c, JAMES EERGUSSON, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. Governor. By Authority: Geobge Dibsbuet, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB74. Price 2s 6d.~]
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/AJHR1874-I.2.1.2.1
Bibliographic details
SCHEDULE OF DESPATCHES FROM THE GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE., Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1874 Session I, A-01
Word Count
22,115SCHEDULE OF DESPATCHES FROM THE GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE. Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1874 Session I, A-01
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