FURTHER DESPATCHES FROM THE GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1883 Session I, A-01a

A.—la

1883. NEW ZEALAND.

FURTHER DESPATCHES FROM THE GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

SCHEDULE.

No. 1. His Excellency the Goveenoe to the Seceetaey of State for the Colonies. (No. 48.) My Loed, — Government House, Wellington, 4th July, 1883. With reference to your Lordship's Circular Despatch, dated the 18th April last, concerning such Naval and Coast Defence Forces as may have been established in this and certain other of Her Majesty's Colonies, I have the honour to state that my Ministers concur in the suggestions of the Lords Commissioners of Admiralty, forwarded by your Lordship, and that I shall be happy to co-operate with the Naval Officer in command of this station in carrying out the wishes of the Admiralty in this matter. I have, &c, Wm. F. DEUMMOND JEEVOIS. The Eight Hon. the Earl of Derby.

No. 2. His Excellency the Goveenob to the Seceetaey of State for the Colonies. (No. 51.) " My Loed, — Government House, Wellington, 14th July, 1883. I have the honour to transmit herewith a letter (together with a translation) from Te lleene Tangaroa, a Chief of the Ngatiwhatua Tribe of Maoris, who live in the northern part of this Island. 2. The letter is of no importance in itself, except as the evidence of good feeling from a branch of a powerful tribe who have always maintained a loyal attitude, and who have, to a great extent, adopted European civilization. 3. I need scarcely add that there is no cause for the supposition that the Government have any intention of abrogating the Treaty of Waitangi. I have, &c, Wm. F. DBTJMMONI) JEEVOIS, The Eight Hon. the Earl of Derby,

No. in Series. Original Number and Date. Subject. Pago. 1 1882. July 4 (No. 48) The Government concur in proposed Inspection of Naval and Coast Defence Forces Forwarding letter addressed to the Queen, by Te Keene Tangaroa Forwarding Petition from Mr. J. Fitzpatrick, for a Pension Forwarding copies of "The New Zealand University Act, 1874, Amendment Act, 1883 " Eeporting on a Petition from Maori Chiefs at Waitaki Forwarding a Eeport by the West Coast Commisssioner, Sir W. Fox 1 2 3 i July 14 (No. 51) July 14 (No. 52) Aug. 11 (No. 54) 1 2 3 5 6 Aug. 11 (No. 55) Aug. 11 (No. 61) 4 4

A.—la

2

Enclosure. Shelly Beach, Kaipara, Auckland, New Zealand, sth May, 1883. To Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen, — Greetings to you and your sons and your daughters, and to your grandchildren. Long life and good health to you, and may God protect you all. We still observe and respect your woids in the Treaty of Waitangi, which were uttered by Governor Hobson in the year of our Lord 1810. This declaration is still borne in mind by us, and has not been forgotten, namely:— " Her Majesty Victoria, Queen of England, regarding with her favour the chiefs and tribes of New Zealand, and anxious to secure to them their rights (chieftainships), and their lands, and the enjoyment of peace and good order among them, has deemed it necessary to send hither a Chief to treat with the natives of new Zealand for the recognition of the government of the Queen over all parts of this country and islands, because a great many people of her nation have already settled here, and more are coming. Her Majesty is therefore desirous to establish the Government to avert the evil consequences which must result to the Maoris and Europeans from the absence of laws." Subsequently, Governor Hobson came to Auckland, and Apihai te Kawau and Ihikiera te Tinana went to the Governor's bouse, and had an interview with him. Apihai and Ihikiera said, " Friend, you shall be our parent, and we will be your children." The Governor replied, " Yes ; I will be your parent, and the Queen will be the parent for all of us, for both races, the Pakeha and Maori." This understanding was then confirmed by our fathers, and they both returned to Orakei, and addressed the tribe as follows: —"Adhere, adhere to the sovereignty of the Queen." Now, this injunction is still and always has been regarded by us; although wars have been waged in this Island, yet this tribe (the Ngatiwhatua) took no part whatever in any of them, but held inviolable the declaration of allegiance made by our fathers. We now send our greetings to the Queen of England, the parent of both races inhabiting New Zealand. We are still obeying the exhortation left by our fathers to their descendants, when they said, " Adhere, adhere to the sovereignty of the Queen, and to the faith in God." For there are two laws in existence in this world, Divine law and human law. These laws shall be sealed in our hearts, lest they be broken by the troubles of this world. We have heard it suggested that the Treaty of Waitangi should be abrogated, and that a new treaty should be made. Now, we object to enter into a new treaty. The Ngatiwhatua Tribe approves of the Treaty of Waitangi, because it contains the words of our fathers and your Majesty's laws. Hearken you ! We are living in peace and on friendly terms with our European neighbours in the Kaipara district. A great number of years have elapsed since there was any trouble in this district. Sufficient. From To Her Majesty the Queen. .____ mra _ imm , m _ mmm ___ M _„ Te Keene Tangakoa.

No. 3. His Excellency the Govebnor to the Seceetaey of State for the Colonies. (No. 52.) My Loed, — Government House, Wellington, 14th July, 1883. I have the honour to transmit herewith a copy of a memorandum from the Premier, Mr. Whitaker, covering a letter addressed to him by Sir George Grey, K.C.8., forwarding a petition from Mr. John Fitzpatrick, formerly sergeant in Her Majesty's 99th Eegiment, to the Lords and other Commissioners of the Eoyal Hospital, Chelsea, praying that a pension may be granted to him, on account of disability caused by wounds received when on active service in the field. 2. I have the honour to request that, should your Lordship see fit to do so, these papers may be laid before the authorities at Chelsea Hospital. I have, &c, Wm. F. DEUMMOND JEEVOIS. Tho Eight Hon. the Earl of Derby.

Enclosure. Memorandum for His Excellency. The accompanying petition from John Fitzpatrick, formerly a sergeant in the 99th Foot, lias been received from Sir George Grey ; and it is respectfully forwarded to His Excellency, with a view to its presentation, through the Colonial Office, to the authorities of Chelsea Hospital. In his letter to the Colonial Secretary, Sir George Grey states that ho has satisfied himself that the case is one meriting relief, if it can be afforded. Wellington, June 29th, 1883. Feed. Whitaker. Sub-Enclosure 1. Sib,— Auckland, 9th June, 1882. I have the honour to request that you will be good enough to move His Excellency the Governor to transmit, through the Bight Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies, the enclosed petition from John Fitzpatrick, with a view to its being laid before the proper authorities. Previously to forwarding this petition, I satisfied myself that this was a case meriting relief, if it can be afforded. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. G. Geet.

3

A.—U

Sub-Enclosure 2. Auckland, New Zealand, 4th June, 1883. To the Eight Hon. the Lords and others Commissioners of the Eoyal Hospital, Chelsea. The humble Petition of John Fitzpatrick, late Sergeant, No. 1380, in Her Majesty's 99th Eegiment, Humbly Showeth, — That your petitioner enlisted into the 99th Eegiment, at Dublin, on the 14th day of July, 1840, at the age of twenty-one years, and served in that corps for a period of llfff- years, and obtained his discharge on the 18th September, 1853, at Hobart, Tasmania. Your petitioner is proud to say that during his service he earned for himself, from his commanding officer and the officers of his regiment, the name of a good, faithful, and gallant soldier. He served during the Bay of Islands war against the Maoris, in the years 1845 and 1846; and, as one of the stormers at the attack on Ohaeawai Pah, on the Ist July, 1845, he was severely wounded in the thigh, the bullet striking the bone. The captain of his company (Brevet-Major Macpherson) and Lieutenants Beatty (who died from the effects of his wounds) and O'Eeilly were also wounded. Your petitioner was also wounded in the neck in the engagement at Horokiwi Valley, when trying to assist Lieutenant Blackburn, who was killed. Your petitioner's wound in the thigh did not at the time of his discharge cause him any serious inconvenience ; but now that he is advanced in years, even the exertion of walking a short distance causes pain and swelling in the injured part, and totally incapacitates him from making any effort towards earning his livelihood, and he has been compelled to take refuge in the Old Men's Home at Auckland. In proof of this statement, a certificate is attached, signed by the House Surgeon of the Hospital, and by Dr. Philson, who was formerly an assistant-surgeon in the 58th Eegiment, and is well acquainted with your petitioner's case, which can be further corroborated by Sir George Grey, the late Governor of the colony. Your petitioner, not knowing how to state the chief points of his case, and under the impression that he had a claim to a privilege granted to soldiers enlisted at a later period, made an application to your Lordships in January last, for the deferred pension, without specially referring to his wound, and his request was refused, on the ground that the warrant in force at the time of his discharge did not authorize such pensions to men of his service. Your petitioner, disappointed in his application, now brings before your Lordships the stronger ground on which he bases his claim for favourable consideration, and. prays that a pension may be granted to him on account of disability caused by wounds, received when on active service in the field. And your petitioner, as in duty bound, will ever pray. John Fitzpatrick, Late Sergeant, 99th Eegiment.

Sub-Enclosure 3. District Hospital, Auckland, 16th March, 1883. Certified that John Fitzpatrick, late Sergeant, 99th Foot, is unable to work for his living. He is incapacitated chiefly, if not entirely, by an old wound in the thigh, received in action at Bay of Islands, 1845. E. D. Mackellar, M.D., Besident Surgeon. T. M. Philson, Formerly Assistant-Surgeon, 58th Eegiment.

No. 4. His Excellency the Goveenoe to the Seceetaey of State for the Colonies. (No. 54.) * My Loed,' — Government House, Wellington, 11th August, 1883. With reference to the Despatch from your Lordship's predecessor, No. 41, dated the 15th September, 1882, stating that Her Majesty had been graciously pleased to accede to the petition from the Senate of the University of New Zealand, praying that they might be empowered to confer Degrees in Science, but that it was necessary to defer the preparation of the new Letters Patent until a further Act had been passed by the New Zealand Legislature, I have the honour to transmit herewith a copy of a memorandum from the Premier (Mr. Whitaker), forwarding copies of " The New Zealand University Act, 1874, Amendment Act, 1883," which has just been passed by the Colonial Parliament, and which will meet the requirements of the case I have, &c, Wm. F. DEUMMOND JEEVOIS. The Eight Hon. the Earl of Derby.

Enclosure. Memorandum for His Excellency. By a Despatch dated September 15th, 1882, the Secretary of State for the Colonies informed the Governor that Her Majesty the Queen had been graciously pleased to accede to the prayer of a petition from the Senate of the University of New Zealand, for power to confer Degrees in Science;

A.—la

4

but His Lordship added that the preparation of Letters Patent was necessarily delayed until the Colonial Legislature had repealed Act No. 8, of 1875, or had otherwise enabled the Senate to exercise such power. 2. This has now been done; and the Premier has the honour to ask that His Excellency will represent to Lord Derby that Ministers will be glad if the Letters Patent can be issued without delay. 3. Copies of " The New Zealand University Act, 1874, Amendment Act, 1883," are forwarded herewith. Wellington, July 31st, 1883. Fred. Whitaker.

No. 5. His Excellency the Goveenoe to the Seceetaey of State for the Colonies. (No. 55.) My Loed, — Government House, Wellington, 11th August, 1883. With reference to your Lordship's Despatch, No. 22, dated the 22nd April last, forwarding a petition from certain Maori Chiefs at Waitaki, I have the honour to transmit herewith a memorandum from the Premier (Mr. Whitaker), covering a memorandum from Mr. Bryce (the Native Minister), explaining that certain allegations contained in the petition are altogether inaccurate, inasmuch as the whole of the lands "taken by the New Zealand Government" from the Natives, were fairly paid for. 2. I have, in accordance with your Lordship's directions, informed the petitioners of the action which has been taken on their communication. 3. I transmit herewith copies of the report on the state and condition of Native reserves in the colony, which has been just laid before the Colonial Parliament. . I have, &c, Wm. F. DEUMMOND JEEVOIS. The Eight Hon. the Earl of Derby.

Enclosure. Memorandum for His Excellency. The Native Minister has reported upon the petition from Maoris at Waitaki, Otago, a translation of which is enclosed in a Despatch from the Secretary of State for the Colonies; and the Premier has the honour to forward to His Excellency a memorandum from the Native Minister (Mr. Bryce) on the subject. Wellington, July 27th, 1883. Fred. Whitaker. Sub-Enclosure. The petition contains allegations which are altogether inaccurate. There is no land in the Middle Island in the position described by the petitioners' as having been "taken by the New Zealand Government without payment." On the contrary, the whole of the land, either sold by the Government or now in its possession, has been fairly and equitably purchased and paid for. It may be noted, also, that the Natives of the Middle Island, about 2,000 in number, are still in possession of valuable landed estates. J. Bryce.

No. 6. His Excellency the Goveenoe to the Seceetaey of State for the Colonies. (No. 61.) * My Loed, — Government House, Wellington, 11th August, 1883. I have the honour to transmit herewith copies of the last report of the West Coast Eoyal Commission, in continuation of that dated the 2nd June, 1882, forwarded by Sir James Prendergast to your Lordship's predecessor on the 17th July, 1882. The Commissioner, Sir William Fox, K.C.M.G., has, as your Lordship will perceive, now nearly completed his labours. He has performed his arduous duties with the greatest care and diligence; and the lands which, on his recommendation, have been granted to the Natives, are extensive and valuable. In nearly all cases, restrictions have been placed on the alienation of the land granted; by which means it is hoped that their permanent occupation, or at least ownership, by their present owners will be secured. I have, &c, Wm. F. DEUMMOND JEEVOIS. The Eight Hon. the Earl of Derby.

Authority: Geobgb Didsbuey, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBB3,