DESPATCHES FROM THE GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE. [In Continuation of A.-1, 1885.]

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1885 Session I, A-01a

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1885. NEW ZEALAND.

DESPATCHES FROM THE GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE. [In Continuation of A.-1, 1885.]

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

No. 55. (No. 100.) Mt Lord, —■ Christchurch, 6th December, 1884. I have the honour to forward herewith an application from the Rev. J. L. Stanley, of this colony, for a nomination for his son to one of the four naval cadetships which are given annually to the sons of gentlemen in the colony. 2. Mr. Stanley is, as he states, a colonist of many years standing. He is a gentleman of high character; and if there should still be one of the cadetships for the ensuing year undisposed of, and your Lordship should see fit to recommend his son for the vacancy, I have every reason to believe that he would be a suitable candidate. I have, &c, Wm. E. DRUMMOND JERVOIS. The Right Hon. the Earl of Derby.

Enclosure. The Eev. J. L. Stanley to the Pbivate Seceetaey to Sir W. Jeevois. Sie, — St. John's, Milton, Otago, sth December, 1884. I have the honour to request that you will ask His Excellency the Governor, should he think fit to do so, to send in the name of my son, Norman Litchfield Stanley, to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, asking his Lordship to recommend him to the Lords of the Admiralty for one of the four cadetships which are annually given to sons of gentlemen in the colonies. I am hy birth an Englishman, and have resided for upwards of twenty years in the Colony of New Zealand, where I have been working as a clergyman of the Church of England, and at present hold a benefice in the Diocese of Dunedin. My son, who was born in the colony, is now at the High School at Dunedin. As he will be thirteen years of age on the 15th May, 1885, he'jsvill not be eligible for examination later than next June. lam therefore anxious to obtain for him one of the cadetships that are to be given away next year. I have, &c, The Private Secretary to His Excellency the Governor. J. L. Stanley.

No. 56. (No. 41.) My Lord, — Government House, "Wellington, 28tli March, 1885. With, reference to your Lordship's despatch, marked " General," and dated the 23rd January last, concerning an application from the Rev. J. L. Stanley for a nomination for a naval cadetship for his son, Norman Litchfield Stanley, I have the honour to forward herewith, in duplicate, the particulars required by Lord Kimberley's circular despatch of the 9th April, 1881, signed by Mr. Stanley. I have, &c, Wm. F. DRUMMOND JEEVOIS. The Right Hon. the Earl of Derby. I—A. la.

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No. 57. (No. 81.) My Loed, — Government House, Wellington, 20th June, 18S5. I have the honour to enclose herewith, for transmission to the Secretary of State for War, a copy of a letter addressed to me by James Earrell, of Auckland, late gunner in the Royal Artillery, making application for a gratuity to which he claims to be entitled. I forward also his parchment certificate, a letter from Captain Eell, R.A., to the officer commanding the Royal Artillery in Celyon, with a minute thereon by that officer, and a statement by Colonel Haultain, the Paymaster of Imperial Pensions for the Auckland District. 2. Should the authorities at the War Office find that the request is one that should be aceeded to, the money, if paid to the Agent-General for this colony, will be forwarded by him to the applicant. I have, &c, Wm. E. DEUMMOND JERVOIS. The Right Hon. the Earl of Derby.

Enclosure. Mr. James Faeeell to Sir W. Jeevois. Sie,— Auckland, 27th April, 1885. I was discharged from the sth Company, Ist battalion, E Division, Eoyal Artillery, at Colombo, Ceylon, on the 19th January, 1884, after serving sixteen years and one hundred and fifty days' service. lam settled and intend to remain in the colony. I beg to apply for the gratuity of £16, to which, on reference to the " Soldier's Pocket Ledger " of 1867, I find I am entitled. I made application to the officer commanding the battery from which I was discharged, and have received the enclosed reply, which refers me to you. Kindly give this matter your attention, and oblige, Yours respectfully, His Excellency the Governor of New Zealand. James Eaeeell. Address : Auckland Post Office. Ml j maim maa—aa iHmibithtoi1 i i " ii ninnaraM—n—— am

No. 58. (No. 82.) My Lord, —• Government House, Wellington, 20th June, 1885. I have the honour to transmit herewith an address unanimously agreed to by the House of Representatives of New Zealand, congratulating Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen on the steps recently taken by New South Wales and other colonies to aid, or to tender effectual aid to, the Empire at a time of temporary difficulty ; and to request that your Lordship will, should you think fit to do so, lay the address before Her Majesty. 2. I take this opportunity of informing your Lordship that my Ministers on the 4th May, as soon as they considered that the defences of this colony were in a state to justify them in taking such a step, requested me to telegraph to your Lordship that they proposed to ask Parliament to sanction the expense of sending one thousand well trained men, one-fourth to be Maoris, for active service in Afghanistan, or any other part of the globe where Her Majesty's Government might require them. The transmission of the message was only prevented by the fact that, on the very day it Avas to have been sent, telegraphic information was received here that the immediate apprehension of war had passed. I have, &c, Wm. E. DRUMMOND JERVOIS. The Eight Hon. the Earl of Derby.

Enclosure. To the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty, Most Gracious Sovereign,— We, the members of the House of Bepresentatives of New Zealand, in Parliament assembled, present our most respectful congratulations to your Majesty on the steps recently taken by New South Wales and other colonies to aid, or to tender effectual aid, to the Empire at a time of temporary difficulty, thereby giving an example which must facilitate the consolidation of the Empire, and the c stablishment of that confidence which always springs from the unexpected manifestation of great ajad hitherto hardly-recognized powers,

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During your Majesty's long and most successful reign, the Colony of New Zealand, and other now large and prosperous communities, have been founded in this part of the world. Under your Majesty's fostering care, New Zealand has, from a weak and struggling colony, gradually increased in strength and power until it now contains more than half a million of European subjects of your Majesty, irrespective of your loyal Native subjects, and with constantly accelerating growth it continues to increase in population and importance. We, mindful of these things, and anxious to show our affection and gratitude to your Majesty, and to the great nation from which we have sprung, hasten, immediately upon our meeting, to assure your Majesty that it is the desire of your subjects in New Zealand, of all races, so far as lies in their power, to render your Majesty's reign still as successful and beneficial to the vast multitudes of people under your rule as it has hitherto been, and, with this object in view, to aid the Empire to the best of their ability at all times when your Majesty may deem their services necessary and valuable, and may be pleased to accept them.

No. 59. (No. 84.) My Lord, —■ Government, House, Wellington, 27th June, 1885. I have the honour to transmit herewith an address unanimously agreed to by the Legislative Council of New Zealand to the Queen, expressive of the loyalty of Her Majesty's subjects in this colony, and of their desire to aid Her Majesty on any occasion when Her Majesty may be graciously pleased to consider their services necessary; and to request that your Lordship will, should you think fit to do so, lay the address at the foot of the Throne. I have, &c, Wm. E. DRUMMOND JERVOIS. The Right Hon. the Earl of Derby.

Enclosure. To the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty. May it please your Majesty, — We, the members of the Legislative Council of New Zealand, in Parliament assembled, present our most respectful congratulations to your Majesty on the steps recently taken by New South Wales and other colonies to aid, or to tender effectual aid, to the Empire at a time of temporary difficulty, thereby giving an example which must facilitate the consolidation of the Empire, and the establishment of that confidence which always springs from the unexpected manifestation of great and hitherto hardly-recognized powers. During your Majesty's long and most successful reign, the Colony of New Zealand, and other now large and prosperous communities, have been founded in this part of the world. Under your Majesty's fostering care, New Zealand has, from a weak and struggling colony, gradually increased in strength and power until it now contains more than half a million European subjects of your Majesty, irrespective of your loyal Native subjects, and with constantly accelerating growth it continues to increase in population and importance. We, mindful of these things, and anxious to show our affection and gratitude to your Majesty, and to the great nation from which we have sprung, hasten, immediately upon our meeting, to assure your Majesty that it is the desire of your subjects in New Zealand, of all races, so far as lies in their power, to render your Majesty's reign still'as successful and beneficial to the vast multitudes of people under your rule as it has hitherto been, and, with this object in view, to aid the Empire to the best of their ability at all times when your Majesty may deem their services necessary and valuable, and may be pleased to accept them.

No. 60. (No. 85.) My Lord, Government House, Wellington, 6th July, 1885. With reference to your Lordship's Despatch No. 25, dated tlie 2nd May i last, asking for a report respecting the circumstances under which Alexander Eorsyth Anderson, fugitive offender, was allowed to withdraw a sum of money standing to his credit in one of the local banks, I have the honour to transmit herewith a copy of a memorandum from the Premier (Mr. Stout), forwarding papers on the subject. I have, &c, Wm. E. DRUMMOND JERVOIS. The Right Hon, the Earl of Derby.

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Enclosure. Memoeandum for His Excellency. Eefeeeing to Lord Derby's Despatch No. 25, of the 2nd May, relative to the withdrawal by the fugitive offender, A. F. Anderson, of a sum of money standing to his credit in one of our local banks, I beg to inform your Excellency that it is a fact that he did so while in custody here ; but the Solicitor-General, to whom the matter was referred so long back as January last, has advised that he did not see how any responsibility could attach to the Government in the matter, and thought that the prison authorities could not have prevented Anderson drawing a cheque, under the circumstances stated. I attach the correspondence, in case your Excellency has a wish to see it. Wellington, 4th July, 1885. Eobeet Stout,

No. 61. (No. 88.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 18th July, 1885. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's Despatches No. 19, of the 15th April last, and No. 21, of the 22nd April, concerning Samoa. 2. I transmit herewith a copy of a memorandum from my Ministers with reference to those despatches. The memorandum also makes some observations on the note of Count Munster to Earl Granville, dated the 28th January last, published in the Blue Book, C 4273, page 145. I have, &c, Wm. E. DRUMMOND JERVOIS. The Right Hon. the Earl of Derby.

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A.-4D., No. 86. A.-to., No. 46.

No. 62. (No. 89.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 18th July, 1885. I have the honour to transmit herewith a copy of a memorandum from the Premier, Mr. Stout, stating that there is a clerical error in the fourth paragraph of his memorandum, dated the 12th March last, which I forwarded to your Lordship in my Despatch No. 39, of the 28th March. The word " Kawhia " should be substituted for " Waipa." I beg therefore that the alteration may be made accordingly. I have, &c, Wm. E. DRUMMOND JERVOIS. The Right Hon. the Earl of Derby.

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Enclosure. Memoeandum for His Excellency the Goveenoe. The Premier has the honour to call his Excellency's attention to the fact that in the first part of paragraph 4 of the Premier's memorandum to His Excellency, dated the 12th March last, concerning the memorial from certain Maori chiefs, there is a clerical error. Instead of " the County of Waipa is practically a Native district," it should read " the County of Kawhia is practically a Native district." Wellington, 16th July, 1885. Eobeet Stout,

No. 63. (No. 90.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 18th July, 1885. I have the honour to submit for favourable consideration the accompanying memorandum of my Ministers, requesting that £3,000, the charge for eight 64-pounder muzzle-loading guns, recently supplied to New Zealand by the naval Commander-in-Chief on this station, may be remitted, and the guns regarded as lent to the colony. 2. When the armaments which had previously been ordered by my Government arrive from England, the guns in question will not be required here; whereas they may no doubt be made available by the naval authorities for arming merchant ships—the object for which they were originally sent to Australia. I have, &o.j Wm. E. DRUMMOND JERVOIS. The Right Hon. the Earl of Derby.

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Enclosure. Memoeandum for His Excellency. Ministees respectfully desire to represent to His Excellency the Governor that, in their opinion, the charge for the eight converted 64-pounder muzzle-loading guns recently sent over to New Zealand might fairly be remitted, and the guns themselves kept here, on loan simply, until the new 8-inch and 6-inch breech-loading guns arrive in the colony, when they could be returned when desired. The guns in question were sent out from Home for the purpose of arming merchant shipping, and are not mounted on suitable carriages for shore defences, so that, when returned, they would still bo available for their original purpose. The total charge for these guns is £3,367 14s. 3d., exclusive of shipping charges and freight, but inclusive of sixty rounds per gun of ammunition. This latter item probably cost the £367, as the charge is said to cost about 15s. per round ; and, as the charge for freight of explosives is exceptionally large, the colony will willingly retain the ammunition. Ministers have paid the total amount in the meantime, and desire to express their deep sense of the obligation the colony owes to the Admiral for so promptly supplying the torpedoes, &c, then most urgently needed for defence. The total charge, including explosives, ammunition, and freight, is £5,084 13s. 4d., and of this the value of the guns in Sydney—viz., £3,000 —is all that His Excellency is requested to ask the Imperial authorities to reconsider. Wellington, 14th July, 1885. Eobeet Stout.

No. 64. (No. 91.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 18th July, 1885. I have the honour, in accordance with the request of my Ministers, to transmit herewith copies of a memorandum, stating their views concerning New Guinea, and the proposals which they are prepared to submit to Parliament with reference to the contribution of New Zealand towards the expense of the government of that possession. 2. I have duly forwarded the memorandum to Sir Peter Scratchley. I have, &c, Wm. E. DRUMMOND JERVOIS. The Right Hon. the Earl of Derby.

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No. 65. (No. 94.) My Lord,— Government House, Wellington, Ist August, 1885. With reference to your Lordship's despatch marked " General," and dated the 20th May last, concerning the application from the Rev. J. L. Stanley for a nomination for a naval cadetship for his son, I have the honour to state that Mr. Stanley has requested me to convey to your Lordship and to the Lords Commissioners of tho Admiralty his sincere thanks for the favour that has been conferred upon him. 2. Immediately on receiving directions from Rear-Admiral Tryon, Norman Litchfield Stanley started for Sydney, t$ be examined onboard H.M.S. "Nelson." I have, &c, Wm. E. DRUMMOND JERVOIS. The Right Hon. the Earl of Derby.

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No. 66. (No. 96.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, Ist August, 1885. I have the honour to transmit herewith a copy of a memorandum from the Premier, Mr. Stout, requesting me to apply to your Lordship for a copy of the correspondence which passed in the summer of 1862, between the Hon. Captain Eraser and the Right Hon. the Secretary of State, relating to certain claims of the Maoris in the Middle Island, the colonial record of that correspondence having been lost in the wreck of the "White Swan." 2. I understand that the correspondence referred to took place whilst Captain

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Eraser was in England, some time between the months of May and September, but he is unable to fix the date more definitely. 3. I trust that your Lordship may see fit to accede to this request. I have, &c, Wm. E. DRUMMOND JERVOIS. The Right Hon, the Earl of Derby.

Enclosure in No. 66. Memoeandum for His Excellency. The Premier has the honour to respectfully request His Excellency to apply to the Eight Hon. the Secretary of State for a copy of the correspondence which passed in the summer of 1862, between the Hon. Captain Eraser and the Eight Hon. the Secretary of State, relating to certain claims of the Maoris in the Middle Island, the colonial record of that correspondence having been lost in the wreck of the " White Swan." The object of requesting the correspondence is in order that the colony may have a complete record of the papers relating to the claims. Wellington, 20th July, 1885. Eobeet Stout.

No. 67. (No. 97.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, Ist August, 1885. I have the honour to forward herewith a copy of a letter addressed to me by the Defence Minister, Mr Ballance, concerning the services performed by Major Cautley, R.E., in connection with the defences of New Zealand. 2. I take this opportunity of bearing personal testimony also to the good work done by Major Cautley whilst he has been in this colony. lam happy to say that the schemes prepared by him are now being carried out; and will, I trust, place the principal harbours of New Zealand in a proper state of defence. I have, &c, Wm. E. DRUMMOND JERVOIS. The Right Hon. the Earl of Derby.

Enclosure. The Ministee of Defence to His Excellency the Goveenoe. Sie,— Wellington, 31st July, 1885. Major Cautley being about to return to England, the term of his engagement to this Government having come to an end, it is my pleasing duty to inform your Excellency that this officer's services have given great satisfaction to the Defence Department, and that the work he has done in this colony is highly appreciated. In spite of many difficulties and considerable pressure of time, Major Cautley's arrangements for improvised harbour protection have been admirably carried out, and in such a manner as to suit the permanent places of fortification, which your Excellency was pleased to approve ; and in leaving New Zealand Major Cautley will take with him the good wishes of every one with whom he has been connected for his future success as an engineer officer. I trust your Excellency will be able to convey to the proper authorities the favourable view taken in this colony of Major Cautley's services. I have, &c, His Excellency the Governor. J. Ballance.

No. 68. (No. 99.) My Lord, — Government House, Wellington, 15th April, 1885. I have the honour to transmit herewith a copy of a memorandum which I have received from my Ministers, forwarding a correspondence between Major-General Steward, R.E. (with a minute thereon by Colonel Sir George Whitmore, K.C.M.G., Commandant of the New Zealand Military Eorces), concerning the remuneration to be given to Major-General Steward for his services in connection with the ordering and inspection of war material for this colony. 2. In accordance with the request of my Ministers, I beg that your Lordship, should you think fit to do so, Avill forward the papers to the War Office, with a view of obtaining from the proper authorities of that department an expression of opinion on the matter therein referred to. I luive, &c, Wm. E. DRUMMOND JERVOIS. Tlie Right Hon. the Earl of Derby.

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Enclosure No. 1. Memorandum for His Excellency. Ministees have the honour to submit to the Governor the attached correspondence relating to the proposed remuneration to be given to Major-General Steward for his services in connection with the ordering and inspection of war material for this colony, and request that His Excellency will be good enough to communicate with the War Office, in order to ascertain what rate of pay should be given—if not a salary, then what percentage on the cost. Wellington, 3rd August, 1885. Eobert Stout.

Sub-Enclosure No. 1. The Agent-General to the Minister of Defence. Sir, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 18th June, 1885. As no definite arrangement had been made with Major-General Steward for remunerating his services in connection with the ordering and inspecting of war material, it lately became necessary for me to consider the subject carefully, with the view of submitting a proposal for your consideration. You are no doubt aware that General Steward also acts in the same capacity as he does for us for the Colonies of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, and Tasmania. The terms of his remuneration vary for each colony. In the case of New South Wales and Victoria he receives a salary; in the case of South Australia he receives a percentage on a sliding scale. I think there are objections to a fixed salary, as well as to a detailed sliding scale. The case of armaments and war material differs from anything else. In the case of ordinary Government stores, or even in the case of railway material, inspection is comparatively easy, and defects can be made good at any time ; but in the case of war material the colonies must either depend absolutely on the War Office, or, if they take the ordering of that material upon themselves, they must depend upon skill and judgment of the highest class. A quarter per cent, may adequately pay for the inspection of small-arm ammunition ; but it would be unwise to lay down a rule that the remuneration for a large order should be less per cent, than for one of a smaller total amount. In the case of the heavy guns now being built for you at Elswick, the amount paid for the services of a skilled officer like General Steward is a matter of the smallest consequence ; indeed, if I were asked to name cases in which commission should be either higher or lower, I should name a higher rate for your Elswick guns, notwithstanding the total amount of the order, than for ammunition or other stores where the amount of the order was greatly less. After giving the matter the best consideration I could, I have arranged with General Steward, subject to your approval, to pay him a commission at the rate of 1-J per cent, on any orders whose value does not exceed £50,000, and 1 per cent, on any order above that sum. Maps and drawings to be paid for in the same way that they are paid for in the Crown Agents', New South Wales, and Queensland Offices. I should be glad to learn whether you approve of this, or whether you desire any other arrangement to be made with the general. In the meantime, it will be necessary for me to pay him some money on accout. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Defence, Wellington. E. D. Bell.

Sub-Enclosure No. 2. The Agent-Geneeal to Major-General Steward, E.E. Sie, — 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 17th June, 1885. With reference to the conversations which have taken place between the Agent-General and yourself as to the remuneration to be paid to you for your services in connection with the ordering of war material for New Zealand, I am directed by the Agent-General to inform you that he proposes, subject to the approval of the New Zealand Government, that this remuneration shall be 1-J- per cent, on all orders of a value not exceeding £50,000, and 1 per cent, on any order whose value exceeds that sum. The Agent-General understands that this is accepted by you, subject as above mentioned. I have, &c, Major-General Steward, E.E. Waltee Kennaway, Secretary.

Sub-Enclosure No. 3. Major-General Stewaed, E.E., to the Agent-Geneeal. Sie, — 35, Courtfield Eoad, Queen's Gate, S.W., 18th June, 1885. In reply to your letter of the 17th instant, respecting the remuneration to be paid to me, I desire to thank you for the same, and to say that I entirely concur hi the arrangement. The payment of travelling expenses will be on the scale paid by the Crown Agents, and adopted by the rest of the agencies. I observe that nothing is said about the plans which may have to be prepared for the assistance of Major Cautley and the Office of Works in the colony. I proposed to you that these should be paid for in the same way that they are paid for in the Crown Agents', New South Wales, and Queensland offices. As plans occupy much time in preparation, and are very troublesome to arrange, I shall endeavour to make them as few in number as the necessities of each case will permit. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, E. Harding Steward, Major-General.

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Sub-Enclosure No. 4. The Hon. Sir G. S. Whitmore to the Hon. Mr. Ballance. The Hon. Mr. Ballance, Defence Minister. I think the commission proposed to be paid to General Harding Steward very large, when it is remembered that, in addition, his travelling expenses and all his plans, &c, are separately paid for. General Steward's time cannot be all devoted to New Zealand work, as he acts for, and is paid by, five other colonies besides. Sir E. Bell, in his letter, proposes to pay General Steward 1| per cent, upon all orders up to £50,000, and 1 per cent, upon all above that amount. I gather that the arrangement hitherto has been to pay the military adviser J per cent, on purchases of small-arm ammunition and the small orders for other military stores sent Home from time to time. This arrangement was probably made when there was no likelihood of the recent large abnormal purchases; and it is in regard to them, I presume, that Sir E. Bell states that no definite arrangement was made with General Steward. As, however, the larger the purchases the more considerable the amount paid to him as a percentage, I think that the ordinary custom of business would suggest a reduction rather than an increase of the percentage in such cases. I beg to recommend to Ministers that His Excellency the Governor may be moved to ascertain from the War Office, through the Colonial Office, what rate of remuneration it is prepared to pay to a Eoyal officer lent in this manner to a colony, either by way of salary—which seems the most desirable—or what percentage he should receive if paid on that principle. Wellington, 30th July, 1885. G. S. Whitmore.

No. 69. (No. 101.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 21st August, 1885. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of the despatch from your predecessor, No. 30, dated the 27th May last, with reference to a statement in a letter from Major Te Wheoro to the Aborigines' Protection Society, to the effect that " the New Zealand Government have made a law to prevent the Maoris prospecting or working for gold on their own lands." 2. I forward herewith a report from the Native Minister, Mr. Ballance, from which it appears that what is referred to is a regulation which was made entirely in the interests of the Natives themselves, and that Major Te Wheoro, on the import of the regulation having been explained to him, appears perfectly satisfied. I have, &c, Wm. E. DRUMMOND JERVOIS. The Right Hon. Colonel Stanley, M.P.

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Enclosure. Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. The Native Minister presents his respectful compliments to His Excellency, and submits the following remarks upon the letter from Lord Derby respecting a communication from Major Te Wheoro to the Aborigines' Protection Society, in which a statement occurs that the New Zealand Government have made a law to prevent the Maoris prospecting or working for gold on their own lands. The " law " to which Major Te Wheoro refers is a notice published in the New Zealand Gazette by the Minister of Mines, offering rewards for the discovery of new goldfields, section 5 of the conditions published being as follows : " 5. No prospecting is allowed upon Native land without the approval in writing of the Native Minister or of some one appointed by him in that behalf. Prospectors going upon Native land without the consent of the owners are liable to the penalties imposed by the Acts relating to goldfields, and will forfeit all claim to reward." The above condition was inserted entirely in the interests of the Natives themselves, who have always regarded with extreme jealousy the incursions of unauthorized prospectors upon their lands, and have frequently stipulated, when surveyors have been sent to inspect the country for lines of railway, that they should not be allowed to prospect for gold. Major Te Wheoro has been in correspondence with the Government (see copies of letters herewith), and appeared to be perfectly satisfied, stating that had he been aware of the " law" he would not have agreed to the prospector (a half-caste) going. The ownership of the land to which Major Te Wheoro refers not having been determined by the Native Land Court, the Natives would have even stronger objections to any prospecting by their own race than to prospecting by Europeans, as in the former case it would be regarded as an assertion of title. The Native Minister submits this explanation for His Excellency's information, and for transmission to the Secretary of State for the Colonies; but at the same time would respectfully beg to question the desirability of encouraging Natives having a real or fancied grievance appealing outside Her Majesty's Government in the colony to a private society. Wellington, 10th August, 1885. J. Ballance.

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No. 70. (No, 103.) , . . , ..... g IR Government House, Wellington, 21st August, 1885. With reference to the despatch from your predecessor, marked! " Circular " and dated the 7th March last, transmitting for the consideration of my Government a draft Pill to amend the law respecting the exercise of Admiralty jurisdiction in Her Majesty's dominions and elsewhere Out of the United Kingdom, 1 have the honour to state that my Ministers have very carefully considered the Bill and the memorandum which accompanied it. 2. They have no objection to the Bill passing in its present shape; but, on the contrary, believe that it would be a great boon to the colonial Courts to bring the Admiral procedure into consonance with the ordinary Civil procedure. '6. My Ministers do not propose to offer any remarks on clauses 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8, to which their attention has been specially directed; and, as to subsection (3) of clause 17, they would consider it incumbent on them to make provision for recouping the officers of the Vice-Admiralty Court thereby abolished for the loss of fees they would sustain. I have, &c, Wm. E. DRUMMOND JERVOIS. The Right Hon. Colonel Stanley, M.P.

No. 71. (No. 106.) Sir,— Government House, Wellington, 29th August, 1885. With reference to the despatch from your predecessor, No. 38, dated the 28th June last, respecting an offer of commissions in the Imperial Army to members of the military forces in this and certain other colonies, I have the honour to inform you that the offer has been received in this colony with much satisfaction. I have, &c, Wm. E. DRUMMOND JERVOIS. The Right Hon. Colonel Stanley, M.P.

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No. 72. (No. 107.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 12th September, 1885. With reference to your telegram, received by me through the Governor of South Australia on the 17th ultimo, concerning New Guinea, I have the honour to transmit herewith a copy of a memorandum from my Ministers stating that, after again considering the subject, they feel unable to make any further proposals than those contained in their memorandum of the 7th July last, which I forwarded in my Despatch No. 91, of the 18th July. 2. It will be observed that the proposals of my Government, which I had forwarded previously to the receipt of your telegram, but which have not been decided upon by the New Zealand Parliament, coincide in the main with those of Her Majesty's Government. I have, &c., Wm. E. DRUMMOND JERVOIS. The Right Hon. Colonel Stanley, M.P.

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Enclosure. Memorandum for His Excellency. Ministers have the honour to return herewith the telegram from the Governor of South Australia, forwarding a telegram from the Secretary of State concerning New Guinea expenses, which His Excellency submitted for their consideration on the 19th of August last. The conclusion at which Ministers have arrived, after again considering the subject, is, that they cannot say more than they have already conveyed to His Excellency in their memorandum of the 7th July last, in which they stated their views for submission to His Excellency MajorGeneral Scratchley, and their willingness to submit to Parliament a resolution to the effect that this colony should undertake to pay its share of £15,000 a year on certain conditions. Wellington, sth September, 1885. Eobeet Stout. 2—A. la.

A.-lc, No. 120.

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No. 73. (No. 108.) Slit, — Government House, Wellington, 12th September, 1885. I have the honour to transmit herewith a copy of a memorandum from my Ministers forwarding a report of a Select Committee of the House of Representatives appointed to consider a petition from settlers and colonists of Eiji for annexation to New Zealand, and tlie general position of the Western Pacific Islands in their relation to this colony. 2. I beg to draw special attention to the paragraph concerning the importance of bringing the Island of Rapa (Opara) and the Cook group under British control. I have, &c, Wm. E. DRUMMOND JERVOIS. The Right Hon. Colonel Stanley, M.P.

Enclosure. Memoeandum for His Excellency. Ministees have the honour to forward, with the request that His Excellency will be good enough to transmit a copy to the Eight Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies, the enclosed report of tlie Committee of the House of Bepresentatives which was appointed to consider the petition received from settlers and colonists of Fiji for annexation to New Zealand, and the general question of the Western Pacific Islands in their relation to tha colony. Ministers have further the honour to request His Excellency to forward a copy also to His Excellency the Governor of Fiji. Wellington, 10th September, 1885. Eobeet Stout.

Sub-Enclosure. Bepoet. The Committee appointed to consider the petitions received from settlers and colonists of Fiji, and the general position of the Western Pacific Islands in their relation to New Zealand, have the honour to report, — That they have had before them a large amount of correspondence from the Agent-General and •others, much of which is of a confidential nature, in which a variety of matters connected with Fiji, Samoa, and other groups of islands in the Pacific is very fully dealt with. It has been quite impossible for the Committee in the time at their disposal to inquire fully into all the many questions in relation to the Pacific Islands referred to in the papers submitted, but they arrived at the conclusion that, in view of the probable early completion of the Panama Canal, and the growing interest taken in those islands, it is most desirable that some of the eastern groups should be brought into closer relations with New Zealand. They are of opinion that, under certain conditions assuring proper attention to the interests of German subjects, the German Empire would not be unwilling to approve of such closer relations as between New Zealand and Samoa, but the Committee think that New Zealand should not at present accept any serious pecuniary responsibility. As regards Fiji, the Committee sympathize cordially with the settlers of that colony in their desire to procure a Government less arbitrary and more considerate of their interests and feelings than that of a Crown colony. They are decidedly favourable to closer relations of that colony with New Zealand. The Committee strongly recommend the acquirement of control by Great Britain over the Island of Eapa (Opara) and the Cook group. They recommend the adoption of the following resolutions as covering the points indicated :— That it is desirable, in the interests of the Empire, that tho Fijian and Samoan groups should be brought into closer relations with New Zealand, provided this can be effected without any serious pecuniary responsibility on tho part of this colony, and with the friendly concurrence of the German Empire and the United States ; and that negotiations bo opened up with the Imperial Government with a view to its taking such steps as may lead to such closer relations. That, in view of the probable early completion of the Panama Canal, it is of the utmost importance that the Island of Eapa (Opara), which lies in the direct route of steamers between Panama and New Zealand, and also the islands of the Cook group, should be brought under British control, and that urgent representations to that effect should be made to the Imperial Government. That a copy of the foregoing resolutions be transmitted through His Excellency the Governor to Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies and to His Excellency the Governor of Fiji, and that the Agent-General be urged to press upon Her Majesty's Government the views expressed by this report. W. J. Stewaed, 4th September, 1885. Chairman.

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No. 74. (No. 109.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 12th September, 1885. I have the honour to transmit herewith a copy of a memorandum from my Ministers enclosing a letter which has been addressed by the King of Samoa to the Consuls of Germany, Great Britain, and the United States of America with reference to the probability of disturbances taking place in Samoa. I have, &c, Wm. E. DRUMMOND JERVOIS. The Right Hon. Colonel Stanley, M.P.

Enclosure. Memoeandum for His Excellency. Ministees have the honour to forward to His Excellency the Governor the enclosed copy of a letter which has been addressed by the King of Samoa to the Consuls of Germany, Great Britain, and the United States of America, and to suggest that His Excellency will see fit to communicate with the Eight Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies on the subject. Wellington, Bth September, 1885. Eobeet Stout.

Sub-Enclosure. The King of Samoa to the Consuls of Geemany, Geeat Beitain, and the United States of Ameeica. [Translation.] To their Excellencies Dr. Stubel, German Consul-General; W. B. Chuechwaed, Acting British Consul; D. S. Paekee, Acting United States Consul. Gentlemen, — Mulinu, 27th July, 1885. I send you this letter to lay before you this fact. In months passed by you sent to me and my Government a letter to this effect: "Do not do anything to bring about war." I listened, and obeyed what you said up to this day, although the rebels in Aana informed me that Weber (the head of the large German firm here) started this rebellion. There is no doubt whatever about this, that from the time you sent me that letter until now they have been working continually in a way to cause the shedding of blood. You will please take notice that the chiefs and people of Falifa belonging to my party have been driven away from their homes. This is not all; the rebels are going about armed. I have patiently borne all this on account of your letters asking me to do so. I have perilled everything—life, Government, and liberty—to keep the peace, and in my endeavours to obey Dr. Stubel's commands, who has even written to me thus : " It is forbidden for any number of your people to gather together," All this I have obeyed up to the present time ; nothing but a strong desire for peace has kept me bearing patiently that which has been going on. There has been no other reason but these : (1) Your request not to begin to fight; (2) my love for my country and my people; (3) their ignorance in being misled by Weber. For these reasons I have borne this so long. You cannot imagine how much from my love and compassion I have restrained mysolf from acting. Now, I and my Government inform you that Weber has sent his last decision to Aana, thus : " Tumua (rebels) do not be weak; direct all your attention to and carry out strongly that which yon intended to do." This is the reason for which the rebels have driven away my people from Fasitoo. They have driven them away from their lands and their people, and so in other places, in Aana and in Atua. Now, gentlemen, I want to bring this to your notice : Blood is going to be shed. A very few days longer and my patience and forbearance w 7ill have ceased. I and my Government are free from anything that has brought about the shedding of Samoan blood. It will be left to Mr. Weber the guilt of shedding Samoan blood. I trust in your Excellencies, and may you all live. I am, Malietoa, King of Samoa.

By Authority: Geoege Didsbuby, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBBS.

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