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ENCLOSURES TO MESSAGES FROM HIS EXCELLENCY THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING THE GOVERNMENT.

ENCLOSURE TO MESSAGE No. 4.

(Copy) Downing-street, 2nd March, 1855. Sir.— I have submitted to the Queen the Additional Rules and Standing Orders of the Legislative Council and Assembly of New Zealand, which accompanied your Despatch No. 83 of the 18th of September, and I have to inform you that her Majesty has been pleased to approve and allow the same. I have, See., (Signed) G. Gbby, The Officer administering the Government, of New Zealand.

(Copy) Downing-street, 24th January, 1855. Sir, — I have submitted to the Queen the Rules and Orders of the Legislative Conncil and House of Representatives of New Zealand, which accompanied your Despatch (No. 59), of 6th July, and I have to inform you that Her Majesty has been pleased to confirm and allow the same. I have, &c., (Signed) G. Grey, The Officer administering the, Government of New Zealand. ENCLOSURE TO MESSAGE No. 7.

(Copy') Downing-street, 25th March, 1 855. StR ' I have received your Despatch, (No. 88), of the 22nd September last, enclosing a copy of a Resolution of the Legislative New Zealand, on the question, whether that body -would be justified in making any alteration in any measure of supply which had been voted by the House of Representatives, or whether by analogy to the British Constitution, the Legislative Council must either wholly accept, or wholly reject every such measure. 2. The question raised by your Despatch is one of great importance in itself, and touching on the first principles of English Constitutional Law. In this Country it has been the indisputed practice, as affirmed by a Resolution of the House of Commons of the year, 1678, that Bills of supply "ought not to be changed or altered by the House of Lords." It is quite true that the New Zealand Constitutional Act contains no provision to the same effect. But it appears to me that the analogy of the English Constitution ought to prevail, the reason being the same when the Upper House is not elected by the people. And in Canada where the Constitutional Act is similar in this respect to that of New Zealand, the Legislative Assembly has, hitherto exercised, without dispute, the same privilege in regard to money votes, as the British House of Commons. I have, &c., (Signed) G. Ghet. The Officer administering the Government of New Zealand

ENCLOSURE TO MESSAGE No. 8. Bowning-street, Sn, — 33th March, 1855. transmittingTaddresffo 6 the Queen from 7 Julylast ' pressing their attachment to Her Majesty's ThronVlnH P ? ?" e - W Zealand empathy with this country in the war in which it is enured. erS ° n ' r cordial S J™simikr address from the °' 18th July kst ' forwardin g a ZM i" 11 mA in satisfaction these expressions of loyalty and att^ m^i ,e y r6CelVed with livel y Faithful Subject! in New Zealand nf fl,„; ' ? > a the assurances of Her and Armies of Her Majesty, and of Her Allies* th ® SUCC6SS ° f the Fleet> I have, &c., The Officer administering the Government (Signed) G. Grey. of New Zealand.

ENCLOSURE TO MESSAGE NO. 9. Bowning-street, Sir, — Oth January, 1855. to the Queen'from'the^e^sfative'e^icn^of t^ nsm | tti . n tf an attachment, and their gratitude to her Maiestv for having presBl fS their loyalty and granting to the Colony? its present fom oTconsUtutn g CUn ' ed WUh Parliam<nt itl forwarding a similar T T tLeir add — before the Majesty to express the deep interest which she feelsT/al f"vhi c h"™ "! t C>d by , f her ' and prosperity of her Majesty's loyal and attachedtbict in New ZeXnd. * I have, &c., The Officer administering the Government (Signed) G. Gbkv.. of New Zealand.

ENCLOSURE TO MESSAGE No. 10. Bowning-strcet, S IR) Bth February, 1855.. address from (N ,°p 8I) ° f ihe 7th "f September last, enclosings aaaress to the yueen fiom the House of Representatives in New Zealand ursine- the introduction of the system of Responsible Government into the Colony ' ° " lou Will acquaint that Body that I have laid their address before the Queen who BespatXfNo 39? of theM? of' ; w 1 °" b " further to refer vou m Y Governmentupon the lulfeot. ' the VieWS of Majesty'^ $ I have, &c., The Officer administering the Government* (Signed) G, Gbei. of New Zealand.

ilclu Zealand.

HOUSE or REPRESENTATIVES.

ENCLOSURES TO MESSAGE No. 12 FROM HIS EXCELLENCY THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING THE GOVERNMENT.

ORDERED TO BE PRINTED AUGUST 17TH, 1855.

CROWN TITLES ORDINANCE—Sess. 10, No. 4. I think this Ordinance, with the following amendments, might suffice to settle definitely the confused state of the Old Land Grants. All Grants without ai proper plan, signed by the Surveyor General, endorsed upon them, or not lodged for that purpose°in the Survey Office, before a fixed date, to become invalid. All Grants so lodged to have the quantity of land to which the Grantee is recited to be entitled, properly surveyed, and a plan of such Survey endorsed 'b'Tny Native Claims that might arise on such land, when proved to the Native Secretary, to receive compensation. ~, L - m The expense of such survey, and of the settlement of such Native Claims to be a charge upon the land which, in the event of non-payment before a ceitain time, must be forfeited to the Crown. „ The 12th clause regarding reservation of " Sacred Places, or other pieces not sold, to remain Reservations in Grants for Roads, Landing Places, to be made bv Surveyor-General. In cases where the Native Claims cannot be satisfied at all, or except at a rate which the Native Secretary deems exorbitant, the Government may give the Grantee a fair equivalent elsewhere. All parts of the Ordinance inconsistent with these amendments to be repealed. (Signed) W. Gisborne, Commissioner of Crown Lands. 20th July, 1855.

Commissioner Crown Land's Office, Auckland, 31st August, 1854. Sir, — I have the honor to transmit, for the information of His Excellency the Officer administering the Government, the enclosures specified in the margin, connected with the Land Claims, and Old Land Grants in New Zealand. I trust, if time will allow, that some Legislative measures may pass the General Assembly, during this Session, which will enable the Government speedily to set at rest this complicated question, which seriously retards the Colonisation of this Settlement and endangers the concord between the two Races. The most important point involved in this question relates exclusively to the Province of Auckland, and arises out of the vague and unsurveyed Land Grants, given as a temporary measure, to the Old Land Claimants by Governor Fitzßoy. I think a few alterations in the Quieting Titles Ordinance might enable the Government to substitute for these indefinite Grants, proper Grants founded upon regular Surveys, to the manifest interest of the Grantees themselves, as well as of the Colony. With regard to the Land Claims, I think, upon the principles mentioned in my memorandum, some Commission might be instituted to inquire into, and report upon, claims not finally decided upon with a view to their being finally dealt with by the Government. I fully feel the danger of re-opening claims of this kind, but it will be seen by a reference to one of the enclosures (No. 4) that many claims have not yet been settled, by default of the Government; and therefore, as it will at some time be necessary to satisfy such claims, 1 think a Commission of the nature referred to might be exceedingly useful, it being, however, distinctly understood that their powers of investigation do not relate to claims which have received a Governor's final decision. I have &c., (Signed) Wm. Gisborne, Commissioner of Crown Lands. The Honorable the Colonial Secretary, &c., &c.

No. 1. C. C. Lands Memorandum—Land Claims 7th Ju1y,1854.

No. 2, do. do. Quieting Titles OrdiIst July, 1854.

No. 3 Return, Lapsed and disallowed Land Claims.

No. 4.Unsettled Land Claims.

No. 5, Return of Old Land Grants.

No. 6. Return of Unexercised Old Land Scirp.

No. 1. MEMORANDUM ABOUT OLD LAND CLAIMS AND ABOUT PRE-EMPTION CLAIMS. Commissioner Crown Land's Office, Auckland, 7th July, 1854. 1. The Old Land Claims have originated, before the Proclamation of British Sovreignty over New Zealand, by purchases direct from the Natives2. The mode adopted to settle these Land Claims is that prescribed by Ordinance, Session 1 No. 2, investigation by Commissioners, and subsequent decision thereon by the Governor. 3. The Returns appended to the Government Gazettes, of 1849, show the whole of the cases heard by the Commissioners and the subsequent disposal of such cases. 4. There are still some claims (chiefly about Cook's Straits and the Middle Island) which, though duly sent in by the Claimants, and referred to the Commissioners, have from various causes, never been advsrtised or, if advertised, not heard from the non-attendance of a Commissioner. 5. There are also many cases which have been heard and abjucated ; but ate in dispute, also a few not acted upon. 0. I think the best way finally to settle these Claims, would be for a Commission, consisting of two or three impartial personr, to investigate such cases, with power to collect evidence, &c. ; and to report thereon, such report to be binding upon the Government. I think, however, no case should be re-opened, which had received a Governor's final decision ; otherwise, I fear the confusion arising from such a step, embroiling, as it would conflicting claims on the part of the Crown

on the part of the Natives, and on the part of Europeans, and reviving questions long since lapsed or settled—would be incalculable and seriously prejudice the attainment of the object in view. 7. I next come to the question of the Grants which were issued by Governor Fitzßoy to satisfy for a time the Old Land Claimants. 8. The returns, before referred to. appended to the Gazettes of 1849, illustrate the nature of many of these Grants (about 350 in number). 9. Many of these Grants convey portions of land described, by exactly the same boundaries to or more Claimants, the great majority of them contain no particular description of the specific piece of land intended to be granted, the boundaries given by the Claimants, of their original claims, and the land is unsurveyed, so that in case of adjoining Grants, or of Grants and Native Lands, it is impossible to determine the respective rights of persons interested. 10. This stale of affairs is highly unsatisfactory, and seriously embarrasses the colonisation of this Province. Grantees, in virtue of Grants of hundreds of acres, assert floating rights over tracts ofthousands of acres, as their Grants determine no specific piece, and as the boundaries in it are those of their original claim. The exceptions often given in the Grants are, as well as the boundaries of the Grants, so vague that the land granted cannot be conveyed, or even be properly made use of. 11. Thus, vast tracts are left unoccupied. Native claims, which in many cases have never been wholly extinguished are revived in full force, and become a fruitful source of confusion and discord. 12. These Grants, though practically unnegotiable, have been declared valid by the Quieting Titles Ordinance (Sess. 10, No. 4) which, hoivever, in its llth clause provides a mode for the survey of the lands in question, and for a substitution of these vague Grants by Grants with definite boundaries, and in the usual form. The Commissioner can, under that clause, and by order of the Governor, select the quantity to with the Grantee is recited to be entitled, and the cost of survey, &c., can be made a charge on the land. Previous to July, 1851, the Grantee could himself select, but few availed themselves of the privilege. 13. Since that time, the Commissioner has never been required to select, unless at the instance of the Grantee, and as long as there is no power to force the Grantee to bring in his old Grant, for the purpose of its substitution by a New Grant, it will be very difficult to make a compulsory selection. 14. I think an additional stringency should be given to this clause, and its practical enforcement secured. Such a step, with some modification of the Ordinance in general might meet the case. The selection should be always made, w here the rights of the natives are concerned, in concert with the Native Secretary or his Agent. 15. I also think some provision might be made for satisfying Native Claims that might be found to arise in respect of the surplus lands to which the Crown would be entitled, or in respect of adjoining lands,—thus, during the adjustment of this question, a way would probably be opened for extinguishing the Native Title to large districts, and for facilitating the acquisition of the country by the Crown. 16. Besides these Grants which were given to satisfy the Land Claims, there was also a credit of about .£87,000 given to Land Claimants, in the purchase of Crown Land, and there still remains a credit of £7,146 3s. 3d., not yet exercised. 17. In the ' Government Gazette,' 26th October, 1844, the public were informed that the next Land Sale, 30th December, 1844, was the last at which such Land Script would be available. 18. The question then remains whether those who have not yet exercised their Scrip have in the face of such a Notice any equitable demands for compensation. PRE-EMPTION LAND CLAIMS. 19. These claims have originated under Waivers of Pre-emption by Governor Fitzßoy. They relate exclusively, I think, to the present Province of Auck-

land, and are divisable into the class under 10s. per acre Proclamation, and into the class under the Id. per acre Proclamation. 20. Both these Proclamations were declared by the Judgment of the Supreme Court in 1847 to have been illegal. 21. An Ordinance (Lands Claims Ordinance, Sess. 7, No. 22,) was passed in 1846, to deal with some of these claims, by providing for the issue of Debentures for compensation in certain cases. The ' Government Gazette 'of 10th August, 1847, shows that the mode suggested by Earl Grey, and also that proposed by Governor Grey, to deal with these claims. 22. Three modes were left open to the claimants, to avail themselves of the instructions from Home, to avail themselves of the Local Ordinance, or to avail themselves of certain regulations proposed by Governor Grey, which are specified in the ' Gazette.' 23. I think the same rule be adopted in reference to the adjustment of this question, as regards the enquiry by a Commission with a similar limitation, —as I recommended with regard to the old Land Claims. 24. The same difficulties, however, do not attend this subject as are involved in the other, for the claims are limited in extent, and are chiefly in the vicinity of Auckland, moreover the Grants in respect of these claims are those usually issued, the boundaries and the land granted being duly defined and surveyed, and they are accordingly free from the difficulties which are involved in the other Land Grants to which I referred. (Signed) W. Gisborne. Commissioner of Crown Lands. P.S.—The Returns enclosed along with this memorandum are corrected up to this month. (Signed) W. Gisborne. August 13th, 1855.

ENCLOSURE TO MESSAGE No. 15. Downin»-street, 24th January, 1855. Sie,— -i-iisras KTsssa.'s awmesj* «■— „,„SKr—. f - "• w - • j j neUuke of Newcastle has communicated to nie a copv of a Desnifch toMM. i IQ i, - addressed to the officer commanding the troops in New Zealand nn tl ch he has under date of the 12th of June, 1854, of which I enclose a conv Tf, n, , ® ® üb J ect ' that it is not within the contemplation of her Majesty's Government that anv n r pS a S°ury! f ° r the defeUCe I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient servant, The Officer administering the Government of (Si D ned) G. Gacr. New Zealand. War Department, g IH _ 12th June, 1854. I have received Sir George Grey's Despatch (No. 126, Military) of the 27th Defntb W ♦' enC f'[ CS from y° urself i ur g in g the expediency of constructing deces for the protection of the town of Auckland, and pointing out the manner in which accomplished" 1 opinion of the officer commanding the Royal Engineers, be best the Ge ?^ ge Gre y, had Ino1 not ' a ' the date of this Despatch, received mine of New Zealand general subject of the military.protection to be afforded to "i ou will have been led by that Despatch to anticipate the inability of her Maiestv's cSTELft COI H Ute tow f rds the . expense of the works recommended by Lieutenant el Baddely, and in accordance with the views therein expressed, I can only refer f7i, l £ General Assembly for a decision on this or any other project for the defences of the harbours and towns of the Colony. ueience* I have, &c., Lieutenant-Colonel Wynyard, (Signed; Newcastle. &c. & c. &c.

ENCLOSURE TO MESSAGE No. J9. Downing-str'eet, g IE; Bth February, 1855. f 1 h f e I eCe T ived 7°? r Dps P (No. 85) of the 21st September last enclosing Re solutions by the Legislative Council and the House of Representatives of New Zealand urging the propriety of reconsidering the sum which, by certain Acts of Parliament has been made payable to the New Zealand Company oui of the Land Revenues of the Co ad/rm es tHhe Oue e en IVed /t OU h D h eS P atch (No ,' f), ofthe 21st of September, forwarding ... 10 tr,e . Vtueen, and to both Houses of Parliament from the Hwup „f bentatives, praying that an Act may be passed for granting relief in this matter " was lasedloreSVt 11311 the f*™ to the before -ho presented to graclousl J'> an d that the other addresses have been duly I bare, &c., The Officer administering the Government, (Signed; G. Grby. New Zealand.

ENCLOSURES TO MESSAGE No. 21. g IR Ahuriri, July 4, 1855. I have the honor to enclose the copy of the sketch survey made by Messrs. Dart i ltzgeral, and Bonsfield, of the lands offered for sale by the natives in this district ' 1 , le boundaries of the several blocks are tinted red, and I have numbered each block for the convenience of reference. Block No. 1, on the north side of the Ngaruroro river, comprises the land offered ; J-awhara and Te Hapuku. It contains about 85,000 acres, ami parts of it are valuable plains. For this block I had agreed to pay two thousand pounds, leaving the land between the Mangatarara stream and Moteo fo? the money drawn by Te Moananui in Wellington. Great opposition is, however, made by Te Moananui and the N<ratiteupokoiri natives to this sale, as far as regards the lands between Otawa and Ngaruroro to which they state they will maintain their claims at the risk of their lives, f fear, therefore, that in the present state of feeling of the natives, it would not be safe to atte'mpt to take possession of this land. All my endeavours to bring the various claimants to an arrangement have been unavailing, each party being equally obstinate. Block No. 2, containing about 30,000 acres, has been settled at £1000, being £800 less than the price originally demanded. For Block No. 3 I have agreed at a price of £2000. It consists of about 38,000 acres, and contains the Aorangi and other valuable plains. There is one small reserve in this block. Block No. 4 contains about 6000 acres, and for this I have agreed to give two hundred pounds. Block No. 5 is perhaps the least valuable of all, though comparatively extensive. It contains about 50,000 acres, for which I have agreed to pay one thousand pounds. I have not been able to effect any satisfactory arrangement regarding Block No. (! in the Buataniwha plain. For this land Te Hapuku demands two thousand three hundred pounds, i.e., £1300 for the plain up to the dotted boundary line, and £1000 for the forest land, up to tfce Ruahine Ranges. This land is much wanted by intending settlers who are anxiously awaiting, with their flocks, the opportunity of occupying it; but the plain alone, without any timber, would be of little value to them. These considerations induced me to go as far as £2000 in my offer ; but Te Hapuku refusing positively to abate anything of liis price, I have left the matter to your decision, to which arrangement Te Hapuku has agreed. I have agreed upon £1200 as the price of Block No. 7, which contains a little over 30,000 acres. The forest land between this block and the Ruahine mountains is subdi. vided into so many small parts that I found it utterly impossible to treat for them. This is of less consequence as the plain contains suflicient timber for the immediate wants of the settlers. The small portion of plain between the Waipawa and Mangaonuka rivers which contains about 12,000 acres, has been reserved by Te Hapuku for a sheep run. He is anxious to have a Crown Grant fortius land, on which subject I have referred him to you, not considering that I had sufficient authority to give him a definite answer. The land bounded by the Mangaonuku and Mangamouku streams, and the Ngawakarara range, containing abotit 57,000 acres, is claimcd by a great number of people under Te Hapuku, Moananui, Puhara, and others. This land therefore I have for the present left untouched, though it contains some valuable portions. I regret to say that I have been unable to bring Moananui and his party fo any definitive arrangement in regard to their lands contained in these blocks, although I have made many attempts to do so, and have even delayed my departure for Wellington, until this time for the purpose. As however, an opportunity offers of a vessel sailing immediately for Wellington, I feel that I cannot any longer defer my departure, even though it should involve a considerable delay in completing the pending purchases. The Natives above mentioned admit however, that the portions they own are not large, and except in the case of the Okawa Block, I do not anticipate much difficulty in dealing with them. I trust that this explanation, together with the accompanying map and the infor-. mation you will receive from Te Hapuku, will be sufficient to enable you to arrive at aa opinion on these purchases. I have, &c., G.S.Coopf.r, District Native Land Commissioner.

Land Purchase Department, Auckland, „ l August 13, 1855. Sir, — I have the honour to acquaint you for the information of His Excellency the Officer administering the Government, that the Native Chief Te Hapuku of Hawke's Bay, has come up here to receive payment for several valuable blocks of land in the Ahuriri District; and as he has determined on returning there sooner than he expected in consequence of the illness of one of his children, I have to request that a sum of four thousand five hundred pounds should be sent by him to the District Commissioner at Ahuriri, as first instalments on account of the several purchases (No. 1 to No. 6,) alluded to in the enclosed Report. I have, &c., (Signed) Donald McLean, Principal Commissioner. I find that the vessel by which Te Hapuku sails isgoing off in the morning at the latest, I am afraid if he was to go back without the money for his lands, that it might influence him against the sale of them or of any other lands in futnre. (Signed) Donald McLean*.

ENCLOSURES TO MESSAGE No. 22. (Copy.) Post Office, Auckland, Ist May, J 855. Sir, — In reference to the enclosed statement I have to remark that the number of letters 10,04-2, is the total number posted for the United Kingdom in Auckland, in the severa village post offices, and at Russell and Hokianga. The return as now forwarded is there fore complete for the whole Province. I have, &c., (Signed) William Hulme, Postmaster. The Honorable The Colonial Secretary, &c., &c., icc. A Statement of the Number of Letters and Newspapers despatched from the Province of Auckland to the United Kingdom during the year ended 31st March, 1854. Number of Letters. Number of Newspapers. 10,042 . 13,450 Ten thousand and forty-two Letters. Thirteen thousand four hundred and fifty Newspapers. (Signed) William Hulme, Postmaster. Post Office, Nelson, 31st May, 1855. Sir,— I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your circular No. 27,, date asppre r margin, and, in reply, beg to state for the information of his Excellency the Officer administering the Government that the number of Letters posted by me for London during the year ended 31st March last amounted to (3236) three thousand two hundred and thirty-six, and that there is no other Post office in the Province from whence mails can be sent. I have, &c., (Signed) B. Walmsley, i. be Honorable Postmaster, The Colonial Secretary,

26tb April, 1850,

Post Office, Wellington, Sir,— June 18t h, 1855. In compliance with your circular of date 2Gth April last, I have the honor to encW herewith a statement of the number of Letters despatched to the United TCinwdnm f™ the Province of Wellington for the year ended 31st March last gd ° m from I have, &c., The Honorable ( Sl gned) John Hoggard. The Colonial Secretary, A Statement shewing the Number of Letters despatched from the Province of Wellington to the United Kingdom during the year ended 31st March, 1855. j Number of Letters. From Wellington, including the Ahuriri 7., - rr , ' From Wanganui 591 Total 1 13,351 p l a Sf!£^Sr n <SiB,,el > ■">» Post Office, New Plymouth, „. 24th May, 1855. Oil*, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your circular letter No. 22 under date ihe 26th April last, and to forward herewith the return of letters posted for England at this office, therein called for. I beg further to report that during the period referred to there was no other Postmaster and 110 Deputy-Postmaster in this Province. I have, &c., (Signed) W. Leech, The Honorable Postmaster. The Colonial Secretary, Auckland. Return of Lettebs posted at this office for England during the year ended the 31st March, 1855. Number of Letters inclosed in sealed Mails addressed to the PostmasterGeneral, London 18^3 N.B.—Letters for England, overland, via Auckland or Wellington, are not put into separate mails unless some of them may be registered, and therefore any such letters will be included in the returns from those officre* to be furnished under the Colonial Secretary's letter dated the 20th April, 1855, W. Leech, t. i rvrr- x- -n, x, ' Postmaster. 1 09t Office, rvew Plymouth, 24th May, 1855.

Government House, „. Sydney, 10th March, 1855. The Peninsular and Oriental Sfeam Company having relinquished their contract for the conveyance of the Australian Mails by way of Singapore, and the General Screw Steam Navigation Company having been compelled to discontinue their bi-monthly steamers via the Cape of Good Hope, it is evident that the benefits of sieam communication with England will be lost to these Colonies for a time, unless some prompt steps can be taken to combine the efforts of the whole of the Australian Colonies towards the attainment of an object confessedly of the greatest importance to their interests. Under

these circumstances I have thought it desirable to bring under your notice the heads of a plan by which the establishment of a monthly line of steam packets to England can be secured, with only so much delay as may be required to communicate with Her Majesty's Government, to-whom perhaps the arrangements with the Steam Company or Companies may best be left. 2. In arranging this scheme I have not allowed the consideration of the loss contingent upon the employment of steam vessels to carry the mails to weigh against the benefits which will accrue to these communities from a rapid and regular communication with Europe, such as can only be secured by the employment of steam power. Every succeeding year, however, as it adds to the population and wealth of these colonies will tlessen the differences between the amount of postage received and the sum contributed owards the maintenance of the line of packets, and in a few years it is probable that the postage will cover the whole cost. 3. The data in our possession by which we may be enabled to calculate the actual amount of this loss at the present instant are not very precise, they will serve, however, to afford a pretty close approximation. Judging from the amount of the postage upon letters sent from this Colony to England, and received from thence, which may be taken at £'2,600 per annum, I do not imagine that the sum paid to the English Post Office in aid of the two lines of steam communication can exceed £8,000 per annnm. The cost to the Home Government of these two lines cannot be taken at less than £'36,000 per annum. The difference between £8,000 and the contribution which will be required from these Colonies to establish and maintain a monthly line of steam packets may be taken roughly as the measure of the sacrifice made by the Colonies to secure this great object. 4. The questions then which 1 wish to submit for your consideration are— First, What should be the maximum amount paid" to one or several Steam Companies for maintaining a regular monthly communication between England and the Australian Colonies. Second, In what proportion should this amount be divided between the Colonies and the Mother Country. Third, In what manner should the contribution paid by the Colonies be apportioned amongst them. 5. In considering the first of these questions with my Executive Council, the sum of £100,000 was taken, as affording a fair and reasonable inducement to any Company to undertake the risk and expense of establishing this monthly tommunication. The amount was of course arbitrarily adopted, but we were guided in settling the particular sum by a knowledge of the fact that the agent for the Panama line had mentioned £100,000 as the amount of guarantee which would be expected by the Company of which he was the representative. 6. The reply to the second question is of course only a mere matter of opinion. In fixing the proportion of the Colonial contribution at two-fifths of the whole amount, and that of the Home Government at three-fifths, I have been guided to a certain extent by my idea of the actual sum to be contributed by the Colonies, which I have assumed at £40,000. The question is one of course which must be left for the decision of the Home Government, but I do not think that any objection can fairly be made to the larger proportion required to be advanced by the Mother Country. 7. With regard to the third question it has appeared to me that the simplest and best guide to the proportion in which the Colonies should contribute to the gross amount required from them, would be the number of letters sent from each Colony to England annuallv. A return of these can easily be furnished, and as it is to the postage that we must ultimately look to repay the amount of advance, the number of letters lent would seem to be the safest guide we could adopt in apportioning the charge. 8. It is evident that if the Colonies take upon themselves a reasonable proportion of the cost of establishing steam communication with England, the present postal arrangement by which the English Post Office receives five pence on each letter or five-sixths of the whole amount of postage must terminate. 9. The simplest plan would seem to be that each Colony should receive and appropriate its ewn postage, imposing such a charge as may seem to it reasonable and proper, without being hampered or bound to a fixed concurrence with any arbitrary universal rate, whether such rate be sixpence or a penny. The only condition which it would be necessary to enforce would be that of compulsory prepayment, and that the postage stamp, or other equivalent indication that the letter had been properly posted, should carry it to its destination in England or in these Colonies. 10. As any arrangements which it may be considered desirable to make must of course have the sanction of the Legislature, you will perhaps be kind enough to favor me with your views as soon as possible, in order that I may be prepared to state them to the Legislative Council of New South Wales. I shall be prepared to recommend to the Caancil the adoption of any scheme based upon the principles laid down in this letter, without considering myself bound to the particular measures to v/hich I have alluded as ,in my opinion well suited to secure the object we all must have in view. /

11. I have written in the same terms to the Governors of Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, and Van Diemen's Land, and I trust that the result may be an united* effort on the part of the Colonies in the South Seas to carry out an object of which I do not think it possible to exaggerate the importance. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient servant, (Signed) Wm. Denison. His Excellency The Governor, New Zealand.

ENCLOSURE TO MESSAGE No. 28. Sub-Treasury, New Plymouth, I4th July, 1855. gj r I hare the honor to report, for the information of his Excellency the Officer administering the Government, that I have this day advanced to the Resident Magistrate at this station, the sum of (£335 15) three hundred and thirty-five pounds fifteen shillings, to enable him to defray the freight and passage of the person in charge of iron barracks per the " Alexander" "from Melbourne, and to request, the approval of his Excellency. This sum and the several advances made to the Commissioner of Crown Lands and the Registrar of Deeds has in consequence of the recent unproductiveness of the Customs Revenue, and the entire failure of that of Crown Lands, reduced the balance in my hands to less than forty pounds ; and I have therefore the honor to solicit a credit on the Colonial Treasurer, in the event of claims being made on this Sub-Treasury before the ordinary local revenues place me in funds to meet them. I have, &c., (Signed) W. Leech, Sub-Treasurer. The Honorable The Colonial Secretary, Auckland. MEMORANDUM. The accompanying drafts for (£4,591 10) four thousand five hundred and ninetyone pounds sixteen shillings sterling have been this day left at the Treasury by the Manager of the Union Bank of Australia for acceptance. The instructions of his Excellency the Officer administering the Government is requested. . A. Shepherd, Colonial Treasury, Colonial Treasurer. 9th February, 1855. Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, 10th July, 1355. The Colonial Treasurer having reported that he has been called upon by the Manager of the Union Bank of Australia at Auckland to accept three draits, amounting altogether to the sum of (£4,591 16) four thousand five hundred and mnety-one pounds sixteen shillings, drawn by Captain Clarke, R.E., and datedfrom Melbourne, have the honor, by direction of his Excellency the Officer administering the Government, to request you will be good enough to inform me whether the Officer commanding the Troops has received any communication respecting these drafts,and it so, whether the money is fully due from the Government, and also whether the service for which they were drawn has been carried out and completed. I have, &c., (Signed) Andrew Sinclair, The Major Colonial Secretary. Of Brigade, Auckland.

MEMORANDUM. 11th July, 1855. The Manager of the Union Bank of Australia, has sent frequently to ascertain if the Bills forwarded by me on Monday last for instructions will be accepted, being unable to give any answer to that effect. The Bills in question have been requested to be returned to the Bank. A. Shepherd, Colonial Treasurer. To the Colonial Secretary, &c., &c. Brigade Officc, Auckland, 16th July, 1855. Sir, — In reference to your letter of the 10th inst., relative to three drafts drawn by Captain Clarke R.E. (and dated from Melbourne) on the Colonial Treasurer, payable at the Union Banks at this station, amounting altogether to the sum of four thousaud five hundred and ninety one pounds sixteen shillings. In reply I have the honor to acquaint you that the Military Authorities here, have no further explanation to offer on this subject than the in formation already furnished to the General Government by his Excellency the Officer Commanding the Troops; as no communication has as yet been received from Captain Clarke respecting the issue of these Bills. I have, &c. (Signed) J. Greenwood. Major of Brigade. The Honorable The Colonial Secretary, Auckland. Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, 11th July, 1855. Sir, — With reference to your memorandum of the 9th inst., enclosing Bills to the amount of •£4591 presented for acceptance by the Manager of the Union Bank of Australia, I am directed by His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government to return you the Bills and to authorise your acceptance of them. I have, &c., (Signed) Andrew Sinclair, Colonial Secretary The Honourable the Colonial Treasurer. New Zealand, Auckland, gj r 27th June, 1855. In reference to correspondence as per margin, which has already passed between the Colonial Government and myself, relative to the stationing of troops at Taranaki. I have now the honour to forward for the information of your Excellency the accompanying report of the Barrack Master, whom I sent on "special service to that Settle ment in order to ascertain what facilities existed for locating such military force, and for other purposes connected with the service. Mr. Plummer has performed this duty to my entire satisfaction and his report is moat creditable to him, but I beg to point out to your Excellency that his views with regard to the housing of the men in detached buildings far apart, no military officer could adopt, it being absolutely indispensable that if soldiers are sent to Taranaki at all they must be provided with defensible barracks placed in proper situations and that therefore it would be impracticable to avoid erecting such for the occasion. I have, &c., (Signed) ft. H. Wynyabd, Commanding the Forces in New Zealand. Ilis Excellency I he Officer administering the Government, of New Zealand. .

Letter from hit Excellency the Officer administering the Government to CoJ. Wmyard 17th April, 13i6. Col. VVynyard to hi Excellency the Ofiieer administering the Government, 16th June, 1855.

Ordnance, Taranaki New Plymouth, g IR sth Juue, 1855. In accordance with Brigade Order dated Auckland the 11th May last, directing me to proceed on board the steam ship «Nelson" on special service to Taranaki to report whether accommodation of any kind for a certain strength of troops (as per margin) could be obtained at that Settlement, and if so on what terms and conditions. 1 beg to state that I therefore embarked on board that vessel at Manukau on Monday evening the 14th, and landed at Taranaki on the 24th ultimo. i av ® now the honour to request that you will be pleased to lay before his Excellency the Colonel commanding the forces the following statement of the steps that I have taken since arrival here to carry out such part of my instructions as have reference to tne accommodation of the troops. t> l- A '\f on 38 P oss 'kl e after my arrival I waited on His Honor the Superintendent, the 1 olice Magistrate, and other gentlemen, whom I considered most likely to be acquainted with the extent ot accommodation to be obtained in this Settlement, who have all rendered me the greatest assistance in acquiring such information. I find that the officers will not experience any difficulty in obtaining quarters in small houses (although not of the first class) in different parts of the town, but I have not been able to obtain any accommodation suitable for soldiers barracks at present vacant. These cottages are widely separated and are very small, the average rates would be from £30 to MO per annum. I also made enquiry about an iron store not yet erected, of which I find the proprietor is willing to dispose, in consequence of the purpose for which it was imported not having been carried out at the original cost and expenses attending its purchase and transport from Sydney to this station, amounting in the whole to six hundred pounds. This building is 03 x 31 x 12 feet and be guaranteed complete in all respects, the timber for flooring has also been cut and will be supplied at the market rates. A plan of building has already been prepared and now enclosed which I have promised to return to the proprietor should his offer not be accepted. I think as a temporary measure this building would accommodate from 80 to 90 men. I waited on the Rev. Mr. Turton Wesleyan Minister, in charge of the "Grey Institution" situated on an eminence on the Omata road about a mile south of the town; that gentleman not only shewed me poliiely over the buildings but also afforded me much valuable information respecting the resources of the Province of New Plymouth. This building will I imagine, accommodate from 90 to 100 men, it will however require additional cooking places and other out-houses, there is an abundance of good pure water on the premises, and firewood in the immediate vicinity. The park surrounding this establishment will be given up to the troops for the purpose of exercise or amusement. I thence visited the Colonial Hospital which I found fitted up with every convenience in point of accommodation, for from 40 to 50 men, there is a sufficiency of cook and wash houses, and other out-buildings for such a force. A well yielding an ample supply of excellent water is on the premises, and firewood to be obtained at a short distance ; this building is on the Devon road, about a mils north of the town. If His Excellency should approve this arrangement, the average detail might be as follows :— Iron Store - - - ~ - 85 Men. Grey Institution - - - - 95 " Hospital - - - - 45 " Total - - 225 And when allowance for the men on guard and officers servants be made, I consider that should the above estimates have been overrated that there will still be ample space for the force. Having called on the Police Magistrate that officer at my request showed me the cells, one of which would afford ample accommodation for the stowage of the ammunition, it is about 12 x 14 feet. The building is of stone with a shingled roof and surrounded with wooden houses I would therefore suggest that the roof and other exposed wooden parts be covered with green hide or zinc ; and also that hides or wad missils be sent for the purpose of covering the floor of the cell and passage, it being fastened with iron nails. With respect to a guard house for the cell, I would beg to suggest that a tent be pitched within the boundary wall, by which it will be quite sheltered. . I would also recommend that a few tents he sent for the use of the guards and picIn reference to hospital accommodation a house similar to those suggested for the officers might be obtained, but as I had no authority to make final arrangements parties possessing houses would not guarantee their non-occupancy , but I do not anticipate aD 7 difficulty in obtaining such a house when required.

2 captains 4 subalterns 1 assistant surgeon 5 sergeants 2 drummers 2UG raik and file.

Having now I trust, entered fully sufficient into the subject, so as to enable his Excellency to judge of the accommodation to be obtained here. I propose to return to Auckland by the first favourable opportunity to assume the charge of my ordnance and barrack duties, which I trust will also meet his Excellency's approval. I have, &c., (Signed) Wm. Plummer, D. O. S. and Barrack Master. The Major of Brigade, 4c., &c., &c. Royal Engineers' Office, Auckland, l .th June, 1855. Sir, —Referring to former correspondence on the subject of providing cover for 2GO men, at New Plymouth, and more particularly to my letter to Captain Clarke, respecting the purchase of iron houses at Melbourne, to effect that object, I have the honor to enclose (accompanied by a plan, elevations, and sections) a communication from that officer, dated May 16th, 1855, by which you will perceive that under the impression of the existence of an urgent necessity, and the consideration that he could not meet it in the way pointed out in my instructions to him, which as a favor I had, requested him to carry out, he has taken the responsibility upon himself of entering into an agreement with a party or parties at Melbourne to provide the iron cover required, at an expense of 40001., including all materials, packing, cartage, and delivery. Under the impression that the urgent necessity for sending treops to in ew Plymouth no longer exists, and that consequently Barracks there are not now required ; and influenced by the consideration that Captain Clarke, under a strong zealous impulse and desire to meet an urgent case, creditable to him, has leadered himself responsible for an amount of expenditure in this service not authorised by your Excellency or by me, I have the honor to propose, that in the event of these Barracks not being required for New Plymouth, they may be appropriated for the accommodation on some other site of the troops now at the Wahapu, and the payment of the rent of the buildings there, amounting to 400'. a-year, discontinued giving due notice of quittance, I have not yet received the details of the contract entered into by Captain Clarke, but the plan, elevation, and sections he has sent, convey to me the impression that the whole is to be recommended. I have written by return of post to Captain Clarke, requesting him, if not too late, to delay sending the building until he shall again hear from me. I have, &c., (Signed) F. H. BinDEtEr, Colonel commanding Royal Engineers, New Zealand. His Excellency Colonel Wynyard, commanding troops, New Zealand. Auckland, 16th June, 1855. Sir, —I hasten to lay before your Excellency, the enclosed copy of a correspondence just received from the Officer commanding the Royal Engineers in New Zealand, referring to an application made by that officer to Melbourne (a copy of which is also enclosed) for the necessary accommodation for the detachment of troops detailed for New Plymouth. It will be seen by this correspondence that the original outlay was estimated at about 13502., but that failing to procure shelter that could be depended upon, the officer to whom Colonel Baddely addressed himself was under the impression the service was very urgent has undertaken a contract that amounts to the sum of4ooo/. This expenditure may appear enormous in comparison wi:h the sum originally calculated. However, when compared with the expense of erecting block houses, such as were constructed for Wanganui, the outlay may not be considered excessive or unreasonable, should circumstances render it unnecessary (which I do not expect) to occupy the proposed post at New Plymouth, these same buildings may be used in any part of the colony, and if at Bay of Islands, lead to a saving of £400 per annum, and relieve the detachment at the Wahapu from a position which has been frequently represented by Major-General Pitt, and myself, as unmilitary, and in case of native excitement, untenable. Under all these circumstances, I trust the steps taken on this occasion may meet with the sanction and support of her Majesty's Colonial Government. I have, &c., (Signed) R. H. Wynyard, Commanding the Troops in New Zealand. The Officer administering the Government of New Zealand. Auckland, 16th April, 1855. My Dear Ross, —Having already troubled Captain Ward at Sydney, and Captain Pasely, at Melbourne, with the execution of certain commissions for me, connected with

Royal Engineer's office, June 15, 1855. Copy ofCapt. Clarke's letier, dated 16th May, 18 5 5. Copy of -letter of Capt. Ross,dated 16th April, 1855* Plan, eleration, & sections (to be returnsd).

lie Public Service, and which the recent earthquake has rendered of an urgent nature f p °«y n order !° divide the labor among you, and under equally urgent circumstances' request your assistance to purchase and transmit to New Plymouth (TaranakH 9 cor rugated and galvanised iron houses, about 33 x 24, in which and within a Stockade it U pioposed to place 200 men about to be sent to that place, in order to watch an insurrec tionaiy movement among the Maones or natives, and protect the inhabitants from the probable annoyance consequent on these hostile movements which at present are confined to the natives themselves. 1 ueu Previously to shipping those houses, they should be ascertained to be complete in all respects, and judging from the little estimation they are held in in Melbourne where I Voi e^ an i the y are a^ a ,g. reat discount, they should not cost more than 150/. a-picce or 1350/. for the nine, and this sum together with all shipping expenses, I am authorised to inform you, will be paid by a bill on the Colonial Treasury at Auckland, signed bv yourselt, and for the due payment of which I hold myself responsible. With these houses, 9 stoves and piping fit to warm them, should be sent, which will also be paid form the same manner. It is very desirable that no time should be lost in transmitting these articles, and his Excellency Colonel Wynyard will consider himself personally obliged by your forwarding them without any delay, as I shall also myself I send a sketch to show howl propose to arrange these buildings, and which with a copv of my letter to Colonel Wynyard, will give you an idea of what I want. I remain, &c., (Signed) F. H. Baddeley, Colonel commanding Royal Engineers Victoria, Melbourne, giß _ May 16«h, 1855. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, with enclosures of the 17th ult., containing instructions for the purchase and transmission of iron houses for the accommodation of two hundred of the troops to be stationed at New Plymouth. Acting at once on your letter, which represented the extreme urgency of the case 1 lost no time in instituting inquiries, by advertisement and otherwise, to ascertain for what iron houses similar to your requirements could be procured; but I regret to say 1 was unable to hear of any at all suitable, nor, had I been successful in obtaining the description of buildings you desire, could I have guaranteed their completeness without 1 had first had them erected here—a tedious and expensive process. It is indeed owing to the almost general incompletenes of these structures, as imported from England, with the difficulty of erecting them, that they do not command a a higher price in this market. Even of those to be had here, in addition to their being of small dimensions, and far exceeding your limits in price, I found that I could not obtain more than two alike, being of various sizes and heights, and all of a light kind of iron, which would have afforded no protection from even distant fire, and so far from their constituting a block of buildings of that regular construction so desirable for the accommodation of bodies of men, where cleanliness and disclipine are to be observed, these buildings would have formed an irregular and heterogenous mass, costly in construction, unsightly to the eye, wholly incapable of withstanding even a distant attack, and from their very defective construction, not calculated to preserve the health of the occupants. Under these circumstanees, seeing that buildings were not to be procured of the kind ordered in your letter, and adapted to the service, without incurring a serious loss of time, and ultimate increased expense, and yet feeling that dependence was placed on my sending down from hence shelter for the troops at New Plymouth failing which might involve disappointment, and other than pecuniary loss—exposed as the troops would be, to the cold and wet of Winter on the Western Coast of New Zealand, I resolved on adopting the same plan as is now pursued to a very great extent here, of having the buildings built in such a manner that tliey might be readily taken to pieces, packed up, and re-erected on the site they were intended finally to occupy. And although at first glance this may appear to cost considerably more than the plaa proposed in your letter, yet I am persuaded from experience, and strengthened by the advice of others whom I have consulted, that the buildings I now propose will in reality be not only much better adapted fof the service to which they are to be applied, but they will cost far less in the end than the houses you desired, the cost of whose erection, even if complete, would have far exceeded the original expense estimated in your letter. I have therefore, after due deliberation, prepared plans for a strong building, of the area laid down in your tracing, and which will afford ample accommodation for the force named, but exclusive of officers, for which no provision is made in the original design I received ; and after having carefully estimated the expense of its construction. Just now being a favourable opportunity, wages, iron, and timber, being comparatively low, I deemed it advisable to let the work by contract, including all materials, packing, cartage, and delivery, for tte sum of £4,000, —a sum which will leave a bare profit to the contractor,

and cannot be deemed a large amount, when a wooden building for half the number of men sometimes costs £1670, and which, from the correspondence you have transmitted, it would appear, if the same building were constructed at the present time, would cost double that amount. I forward memoranda of my agreement with the contractor. The building will be of a very substantial character, covered with corrugated zine iron, lined throughout with grooved and tongued boards, well ventilated and lighted, loop-holed all around, and with the requisite guttering and down-piping to convey the whole rain-water into iron tanks, which I will send for that purpose. It will be weatherproof in every respeet, little, if at all, affected, I believe, by earthquake, and in addition to the many advantages which it will possess over ordinary wooden buildings, it will be able to withstand fire from without. A small guard-house will accompany it, together with the requisite cooking apparatus, as required. Every part will be carefully packed and marked, so as to render its re-erection easy, -and I propose sending a man with it, familiar with its construction, and who will be able to superintend its erection at New Plymouth, for which place I shall cause it to be shipped direct. A tracing of the building will accompany this letter. May I request that steps will be taken to meet the drafts I shall have to make upon the Colonial Treasury at Auckland for the payment of this work. Under the circumstances, I trust that his Excellency the Governor-in-Chief wiil approve of the course I have taken, believing that the result will be more economical and satisfactery than had I literally even had 1 been able, carried out your instructions, independent of the embarrassing and unfortunate position the troops at New Plymouth, which I see are about to leave Auckland, would have been in, had I declined to undertake the responsibility I have, in departing from those instructions. I have, &c., (Signed) And. Clarke. {True copy.) (Signed) J. Greenwood, Major of Brigade.

ENCLOSURE TO MESSAGE No. 29.

Crown Land Office, Wellington, February 10th, 1855. Sib, — I have the honor in compliance with your instructions, to enclose herewith a Return of the Grants that have been made for public objects without payment, so far as I have a record of them. I beg leave to observe however that there are, so far as I can remember, some other grants made, before there was a Crown Lands Department at Wellington. These will be found in the " Book of Public Grants," among the late Civil Secretary's records sent up to Auckland at the end of 185-3. It continually happened that Grants were drafted in that Officer's department without any reference to me, orders being merely sent down to the Surveyor to put the plan on the deed. It was the intention to have communicated to me a correct copy of all the registered Grants made out from the begining, but constant press of business prevented Mr, Domett from doing it, for that rea son I am obliged to refer you to the Book above mentioned for the conditions on which the public Grants were made. I am afforded an opportunity at the same time of renewing to yourself my application that at the leisure of some officer, I may be furnished with copies of the Grant* from the Civil Secretary's Book, and I would even suggest that some person be specially desired to make such copies and be paid for doing so, out of the contingencies of my departments I have &c., (Signed) F. D. I3«llJ The Honorable, The Colonial Secretary.

ENCLOSURE TO MESSAGE No. 29. Land Office, Nelson, January 15th, 1855. Sib, —I do myself the honor to forward the Returns noted in the margin, called for by your letters of the 26th October and 26th November, 1854. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient servant, (Signed) M. Richmond, Commissioner of Crown Lands. The Honorable The Colonial Secretary, Auckland.

ENCLOSURE TO MESSAGE No. 29. Crown Land Office, Otago, Bth December, 1854. Sib, —> In reply to your letter of the 26th October, ulto. No. 349, calling for a Return of lands granted without payment for Religious, educational, or other public purposes, kc., I have the honor to reply that I know of no instance in this Province, in which a grant of land for such purposes has been issued. I have had the honor to forward information bearing upon this subject, in my returns of 20th March and 25th July, ulto. I have, &c., (Signed) Walter Manteli,, . Commissioner. The Honorable The Colonial Secretary, Auckland.

(Signed) F. D. BELL, Crown Lands' Office, Commissioner Crown Lands. Wellington, 10th February, 1855;

Return of Lands which have been granted without payment for Religious, Educational, or other public purposes, or on account of public services, in the Province of Wellington.

A ' <—' Name of Guarantee. Extent. Situation. To what purpose or for what service granted. 1 A. it. P. Board of Ordnance 13 3 32 Wellington Soldiers' Barracks Lord Bishop of New Zealand, in trust 500 0 0 Porirua College Alfred Domett and others, in trust 12 0 Wellington Hospital Trustees of Church of England Cemetery 7 1 17 Ditto Cemetery Archdeacon Hadfield and others, in trust 396 2 30 Otaki Ditto 68 2 35 Ditto I Industrial School Ditto 24 1 16 Ditto , and Ditto 33 3 0 Ditto I Mission Station Ditto 62 0 0 Ditto J Trustees of Jewish Cemetery ...... ...... 0 2 37 Wellington Cemetery Board of Ordnance 9 0 38 Wanganui Barracks Trustees of Church Mission Society •••••• 10 0 0 Ditto Mission Station Ditto 250 0 0 Ditto Industrial School Superintendent of Wesleyan Mission •••••••••• 73 1 22 Wellington School Roman Catholic Bishop, in trust 2 3 30 Ditto Roman Catholic Cemetery Ditto 0 2 0 Ditto Roman Catholic Church Lord Bishop of New Zealand, in trust 400 0 0 Wairarapa College Lands Ditto 190 0 0 Ditto Ditto Alfred Domett and others, in trust ................. 0 0 23 Wellington Mechanics' Institute Roman Catholic Bishop, in trust 1 0 Q Wanganui Roman Catholic Cemetery Ditto 1 0 0 Lower Hutt Burial Ground Superintendent Wesleyan Mission, in trust 1 0 0 Wellington Clergyman's Residence Reverend J. Watkin 0 1 0 Ditto Wesleyan Chapel Hospital Trustees 18 0 0 Wanganui Hospital Trustees Scotch Church 0 1 12 Wellington Church Site Trustees College Lands 10 2 8 Ditto College Reverend J. Watkin, in trust....,. 1 1 0 Ditto Roman Catholic Bishop, in trust Q 0 Ditto E. Puni, a Native Chief 0 0 33 £ Ditto , ■ i 1

PROVINCE OF AUCKLAND. Return of all Lands granted without payment for Religious, Educational, or other Public Purposes, or on account of Public Services.

„ _ „ _ „ ~ . . Whether absolute Name of each Grantee. Extend Situation of Land. Purpose or Service. ol . c0IH i; t ; 0nal . A. R. P. Clms. W. Ligar, G. A. Bennett, C. 13. Brewer, W. Brown ami Alexander Black. 0 19 Auckland Mechanics' Institute Term 999 years G-. A. Selwyn, Bishop of New Zealand. 8 3 5 Ditto Suburbs of Cemetery Absolute Ditto Ditto 1 0 1(5 Auckland Church and Chapel Site Ditto Ditto Ditto 0 3 30 Ditto Suburbs of Cemetery Ditto ,T. T. Montefiorc and David Nathan 10 0 Ditto Ditto Ditto Ditto J. llobbs, J. Butler, F. Gardiner, J. A. Longford and Captain James Stone 0 2 31 Auckland AVeslcyan place of Worship Ditto G. A. Selwvn, Bishop of New Zealand 0 1 '20 Ditto Place of Worship Ditto Ditto Ditto 0 2 27 Ditto School Site Trust Ditto Ditto Orere Residence of Minister Ditto Principal Officers of Ordnance 0 1 20 Auckland Military Purposes Ab. c olute Walter Lawry, Superintendent of Wesleyan Mission C 3 0 Ditto Suburbs of Wesleyan Native Institution Trust J. itobinson and J. McNair 0 11 Auckland Abstinence Society Ditto Walter Lawry, Superintendent of Wesleyan Mission 192 3 12 Ditto Suburbs of Wesleyan Native Institution Ditto P rineipal Officers of Ordnance 26 1 30 Auckland Military Purposes Absolute Walter Lawry, Superintendent of Wesleyan Mission 0 2 20 Ditto Wesleyan Mission Trust Ditto Ditto Ditto 0 1 18 Ditto Ditto Ditto Principal Officers of Ordnance 5 0 0 Ditto Military Purposes Absolute G. A. Selwyn, Bishop of New Zealand 0 1 23 Ditto Suburbs of Place of Worship Ditto Walter Lawry, Superintendent of Wesleyan Mission 0 2 3 Auckland Native Church Trust Andrew Sinclair, Alexander Shepherd, Win. S. Graliame, M. Whytlaw, ltobert Mitchell, W. Gorrie and Robert Graham 0 2 6 Ditto Presbyterian Free Church A'solute G. A. Selwyn, Bishop of New Zealand 10 0 Suburbs of Howick Place of Worship Ditto Ditto Ditto 10 0 Ditto Onehunga Ditto Ditto

Name of each Grantee. Extent. Situation of Land. Purpose or Service. Whether absolute o conditional. Archdeacons Henry Williams, W. Williams, and; Brown, Revds. R. Maunsell, R. Taylor, R. Burrows, G. A Kissling, O. Hadfield, R. Davies, J.j Hamlin, T. Chapman, J. Matthews and W.i Colenso i 10 0 0 Maketu Mission Station for Native Race Trust Rev. G. A. Panton, Minister, Matthew Whyielaw,! William Gorrie, G. Ducher, A. Shepherd, W. Hay, and T. S. Forsaith, Elders, W. S Graliame, J. Gorrie, J. Robertson, and A. Wright, Deacons of the Free Presbyterian Church 0 2 18 Auckland School Ditto, Bishop of R. C. Church at Auckland 370 1 28 Takapuna School for Natives and Europeans Ditto ( 2 0 16 Auckland A. Sinclair, W. Swainson, and A. Shepherd 1 180 3 35 Ditto Suburbs of Hospital Endowments Ditto ( 102 0 34 Takapuna Superintendent of Wesleyan Mission 20 0 0 Suburbs of Auckland « Industrial School Ditto Bishop of New Zealand 40 0 11 Ditto Ditto Ditto Ditto Robert Ward, Thomas Keven, Thomas Canty, John Probert and James Harris 0 1 4 Auckland Primitive Methodist Church and School Ditto Andrew Sinclair, William Swainson and Alexander ( nn o '2 r r ■,„ oiit-.-. Shepherd oO 2 7 Ditto Suburbs of College and Grammar School Endowments Ditto { 208 0 0 Pakuvanga Superintendent of Wesleyan Mission / 7 0 0 Suburbs of Auckland School Endowments Ditto ( 280 0 0 Titirangi A. Sinclair, W. Swainson, and A. Shepherd 12 0 0 Suburbs of Auckland Hospital Endowment Ditto Ditto Ditto Ditto 2 0 14 Auckland Hostelry Ditto Ditto Ditto Ditto 2 0 9 Onehunga Ditto Ditto, Ditto Ditto Ditto 1 1 20 Auckland Washing Ground Ditto, Ditto Ditto Ditto J 28 3 0 Suburbs of Auckland (500 Takapuna College and Grammar School Endowments Ditto Archdeacons TYilliam Williams, Brown, Revds. R. Taylor, R. Burrows, G. A. Kisling, O. Hadfield, R. Davis, J Hamlin, Thomas Chapman, J. Matthews, and W. Colenso 173 0 38 Otawhao Mission Station Ditto Roman Catholic Bishop at Auckland, A. O'Brien, Hugh Coolahan, an 1 J. T. Boylan 0 1 13 | Auckland Placc of Worship | Ditto

Name of each Grantee. Extent. Situation of Land. Purpose or Service. Whether absolute or conditional. Walter Lawry, Superintendent of Wesleyan Mission 10 0 Onehunga Place of Worship Trust Henry Matson, Wm. Foster, and George Nicol, Wardens of the Hundred of Auckland 3 2 0 Auckland Pound,Slaughter House, and Cattle Market Ditto A. Sinclair, W. Svvainson and A. Shepherd 3 0 0 Ditto Suburbs of College and Grammar School Endowments Ditto „ , ,. Ditto , 1)iUo 0 1 0 Hostelry Endowment Ditto Roman Catholic Bishop at Auckland, Local Priest at Panmure, Joseph Brennan and James Cleary of Panmure ... 610 Panmure Place of Worship Ditto Roman Catholic Bishop at Auckland, Local Priest, Onehunga, Patrick Kelly and William Cassen of Onehunga 10 0 Onehunga Ditto Ilittn Roman Catholic Bishop at Auckland, Local Priest, Howick, Alexander MacDonald and 11. N. Barry of Howick ' 10 0 Howick Ditto Roman Catholic Bishop at Auckland, Local Priest, Otahuhu, John McAnulty and John Callaghan, of Otahuhu 10 0 Otahuhu Ditto Roman Catholic Bishop at Auckland, Local Priest, Otahuhu, John McAnulty, and John Callaghan, of Otahuhu 100 Otahuhu Cemetery Ditto Roman Catholic Bishop at Auckland, Local Priest, Howick, Alexander MacDonald and R. N. Barry of Howick 4 0 0 Howick Glebe Ditto Roman Catholic Bishop at Auckland, Local Priest at Ilowick, Alexander McDonald, and R. N. Barry, T1 I towick 10 0 Howick Cemetery Ditto Roman Catholic Bishop at Auckland, Local Priest "at Otahuhu, John McAnulty and John Callaghan of Otahuhu. 4 0 0 Otahuhu Glebe Ditto Roman Catholic Bishop at Auckland, Local Priest, Onehunga, Patrick Kelly and William Cassin of t. ,ne ' uln S a 4 0 0 Onehunga Ditto. Ditto Roman Catholic Bishop at Auckland, Local Priest Onehunga, Patrick Kelly and William Cassin of Onehunga , . 10 0 Onehunga Cemetery Ditto Roman Catholic Bishop at Auckland, Local Priest at Panmure, J, Brennan and James Cleary of Panmure 1 0 20 Panmure Ditto Ditto

Surveyor-General's OfHee, Auckland, C. W. LlGAIt, 22nd August, 1855. Surveyor-General.

Name of each Grantee. Extent. Situation of Land. Purpose or Service. pV hetber absolute or 1 conditioual, Roman Catholic Bishop at Auckland, Local Priest at Paninure, J. Brennan and James Cleary of Panmure 3 3 20 Panmure riehp Trtast Mayor, Aldermen, and Burgesses of the City of Auckland 0 1 27 Auckland , p] Ditto Superintendent of the Wesleyan Mission 19 1 6 Ditto Suburbs of Q , , llace Ditto Revd. John Baptist Francis Pompalier, Roman Catho- Sch ° o1 Endowment lie Bishop at Auckland 0 1 2 Auckland ,, „ , n, , , Ditto Roman Catholic Bishop at Auckland 0 2 0 Ditto Maori Church Ditto Roman Catholic Bishop at Auckland 5 0 18 Ditto Suburbs of bcliool Ditto Walter Lawrv, Superintendent of Wesleyan Mission 10 0 Otahuhu 0 ., „ w e 'l le . Ditto G. A. Selwyn, Bishop of New Zealand 1 2 25 Orangekahui Slte of Chapel Ditto Bishop of New Zealai.d 870 0 0 Pun in Ilivtr 0 , e m c ery Ditto Bishop of New Zealand 133 3 0 Pepepe bchool Endowment Ditto Bishop of New Zealand 280 0 0 Koharga, left bank of Waikato . 0 Ditto G. A. Selwyn, Bishop of New Zealand 0 3 22 Rangiawhia Q ., Absolute Roman Catholic Bishop at Auckland 4 3 0 Suburbs of Auckland T ! e .°. ,i U . FC . Trust Bishop of New Zealand 470 0 0 Kohanga Industrial School Ditto G. A Selwyn, Bishop of New Zealand 5 0 0 Howick bcliool Endowment Ditto Ditto Ditto 4 3 27 Onehunga 01 u Ditto A. Sinclair, W. Swainson, and A. Shepherd 4 0 0 Auckland , ,, e 'f, Ditto Bishop of New Zealand 1385 0 0 Pepepe, (South) College and Gram mar School Endowments pi tto G. A. Kisslina, ,J. A. Wilson, andR. Vidal for C.M.S. 3,8 2 10 Rotorua School Endowment Ditto Superintendent of Wesleyan Mission for W.M.S. 65 1 6 Suburbs of Auckland Mission Station Ditto A. Sinclair, W. Swainson, and A. Shepherd 0 2 15 Auckland ocnool Endowment Ditto Council and Burgesses of the City of Auckland 45 2 17 Ditt> Native Hostelry Ditto Principal Officers of Ordnance 22 0 3 Ditto City Endowment Absolute The Auckland Harbour Commissioners { area notgiven Ditto . Harbour W Superintendent of the Province of Auckland 7 10 Ditto Site of Government House Ditto Council aiul Burgesses of the City of Auckland 6 0 10 Ditto Market Place Patuone 110 1 20 Takapuna On account of Services rendered to the Absolute British Crown -John Ilobbs 0 2 38 Auckland Ditto Ditto Ditto Ditto

ENCLOSURE TO MESSAGE No. 29. Land Office, Christchurcli, January Bth, 1855. Sir, — Referring to your circular of the 26th October last, No. 348, I have now the honor to transmit herewith the Returns for thi3 Province as applied for by you by direction of His Excellency the Officer administering the Government, in order that they may be laid before the House of Representatives. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient servant (Signed) William Gtjise Brittan, Commissioner of Crown Lands. The Honourable the Colonial Soeretary, &c., &c.

A Return of all Lands, in the Province of Canterbury, New Zealand, which have been granted without payment for Religious, Educational, or other public purposes.

Whether the Grant be absolute, or For what purpose l '' 6 Vo Name of Grant and date Extent and Situation. or for what service, urns , to the Crown of Grant. granted. , ° i in event of theGrant not being carried out. 42 Reserved by the Agent of 1 acre in the town of Christchurch, having 5 Roman Catholic Absolute the Canterbury Asso- chains frontage on the East to Barbadoes- Cemetery ciation, 1851 street, and back Westerly 2 chains in a ractangular block 43 ditto 1 acre in the town of Christchurch, having 5 Dissenters' Ceme- ditto chains frontage on the East to Barbadoes- tery street, and back Westerly in a rectangular block, having 2 chains frontage on the South to Salisbury-street 45 ditto 1 acre in the town ofLyttelton, having front- Roman Catholic ditto age 4 chains on street, opposite town Cemetery sections 183, 184, 185, and 186, and extending back Easterly chains in a rectangular block 4(j ditto 1 acre in the town of Lyttelton, having 4 Dissenters' Ceme- ditto chains frontage on street, opposite tery town sections 187, 188, 189, and the end of street, and extending back Easterly 2-£ chains in a rectangular block 50 a i ditto 1852 1 acre and 14 perches, near the Heathcoie Church of Eng- ditto Ferry, bounded on the North by unappro- land Reserve priated land 2 chains 90 links, on the East by the Christchurch and Lyttelton Bridle Road, 3 chains 60 links, on the South by reserve No. 50, 3 chains 20 links, and on the West by rural section No. 8, 3 chains 60 links 00 Reserved by the Agent of 670 acres, by Godley Head, Port Victoria, Government Re- ditto the New Zealand Coin- commencing at a point on the cliff between serve pany, 184 8 Gollan's Bay and Godly Head, bearing from Mount Tlessant S. 76^- ° East, and distant in a direct line about 206 chains therefrom, thence proceeding by a line North 5 ° East, about 73 chains to a point in a Bay called Taylor's Mistake, between Godley Head and Sumner Bay, thence following the Coast line round by Godley Head to the commencing point G] ditto 327 acres, by Adderly Head, Port Victoria, ditto ditto commencing at a point in Little Port Cooper, or Simeon Bay, bearing South 67 ° West from Mount Pleasant, and North * 40° East from Mount Evans, and distant from the latter point about 209 chains in a

Whether the Grant be ab- ! solute or No. Name of G„„t ,„d Eltein of Grant - granted. »the Crown in event of •heG rant not being carried out. direct line, thence proceeding by a line South 6li East, about 57 chains 60 links to a point in Port Levy, and from thence following the Coast line round by Adderly Head to the commencing point in Simeon Bay. Reserved by the Agent of 2530 acres, commencing at the Western Reserve for land- Absolute the Canterbury Asso- corner of reserve No. 61, in Simion Bay, ing Diseased elation, 185i thence following along the Coast line to the Sheep, &c. North-Eastern corner of Section No. 229a in Camp Bay, thence following along the Eastern and Southern boundaries of the said Section 229a to the South-Western corner thereof, thence in a line due South 35 chains, thence in a direct line 173£ chains to the North-Eastern corner of Section 244, in Port Levy, thence following along the Western Coast of Port Levy to the South-Eastern corner of reserve No. 61, and returning along the South-Western boundray line of the said reserve to the commencing point in Simeon Bay. 63 Reserved by the Agent of 16 perches, bounded on the North by the Heathcote Ferry ditto the Canterbury Asso- Heathcote River Road, 33 links, cn the Reserve ciation, 1852 East by the Bridle Road to the New Ferry, on the South by unappropriated land, 150 links, and on the West by section No. 8, ] 62 links 63a ditto 24 perches, bounded on the North by ditto ditto the Heathcote River Road, 167 links, on the East by the Bridle Road to Hughes' Ferry, on the South by unappropriated land, 110 links, and on the West by the Bridle Road to the New Ferry 64 ditto 1851 5 acres, situated at Papanui, bounded on the Church of Eng- ditto North-East by the Papanui and Harewood land Reserve Road, 8 chains 40 links, on the NorthWest by rural section No. 323, 12 chains 84 links, and on the South-East by rural section No. 151, 15 chains 34 links 65 : ditto 1851 5 acres, situated between Gebbie's Flat and ditto ditto Governors'-Bay, being bounded on the East and North-East by the road from Gebbie's Flat to Lyttelton, about 23 chains from the Eastern boundary of section 232, measured along the road, on the North-West by a line chains, and on the South-West by a line of 10 chains, meeting at a right angle at the Western corner of the reserve. 66 ditto 1851 5 acres, situate in Governor's Bay, Port ditto ditto Victoria, commencing at a point on the road round the head ot the harbour, half a chain from where the said road crosses the

Whether the Grant be absolute, or r. , . whether the tor what purpose, . No. Name of Grant and date Extent and Situation. or for what service an , r ® urns of Grant. granted. ,0 Crown ° in event of theGrant not being carried out. | Northern boundary line of section 184, thence Southerly along the road, 7 chains 20 links, thence Westerly, at a right angle, 9 chains 70 links, thence Northerly at a right angle, 3 chains 80 links, and theiice back to the commencing point (along a reserve for a road parallel with the watercourse) a distance of about 10 chains 3a links 67 Reserved by the Agent of 2 acres, in the town of Lyttelton, situated in Church of Eng- Absolute. the Canterbury Asso- Dampier's Bay, on Brittan Teriace, having land Cemetery ciation, 1852 5 chains frontage thereon, between town secsions 216 and 222, and back Westerly in a rectangular block, 4 chains 68 ditto 1852 108 acres, adjoining the town of Lyttelton, Lyttelton Town ditto bounded on the North by rural sections Reserve Nos. 1, 258, and 130, 11 chains 33 links, 23 chains 35 links, and 5 chains, respectively ; on the East by the Summer Road (separating it from section 130) and the reserve of 66 feet above the high water mark, on the South by same reserve of 66 feet above high water mark as far as town section 341, and on the West by the Lyttelton town sections and the reserves for Roman Catholic and Dissenters' Cemeteries 69 Ditto 1855: 5 acres at Sumner, commanding at a point ODiChurch of England ditto tbe Lyttelton and Christchurch road, about! Reserve 8 chains, 60 links South of the North; Eastern comer of rural section, No. 152, thence in a line at a right angle, 2 chains 70 links to the base of the hill, thence following round the base of the hill about 19 chains 10 links to the aforesaid Lyttelton, and Christchurch road, and returning Northerly along the road 15 chains and 10. links to the commencing point. 70 Ditto 1850 3 roods 15 perches in the town of Lyttetton, Government Re- ditto being the headland at the Southern end of serve Godley quay, Dampier's pier. 71 Ditto 1852 1 rood on the North bank of the river Cour- Ferry Reserve ditto tenay, having one chain frontage on the North road, adjoining the reserved road along the river bank, and back in a rectangular block one chain fifty links. 72 Ditto 3 roods commencing at tne junction of the; Ditto ditto North road, and the road reserved along the bank of the Korotueka branch of the, Courtenay, following along the North road 3 chains, thence at a right angle Easteily 2 chains, thtnc at a right angle Northerly 2 chains to the river bank road, and return-

Whether the Grant be absolute or v. M en, i. To what purpose or lle , tller llle J\o. Name of Grantee and date Extent and Situation. for what service land retur <is of Grant. granted. !° lhe Cr °wn in ev«nt of the Grant not being carried out. ing by the said river bank road, to the commencing point. >3 Reserved by the agent of 1 rood on the North bank of the Korotueka Ferry Reserve Absolute the Canterbury Associa- branch of the Courtenay, having one chain tion, i 852. frontage on the reserved road along the bank of the river and extending back 2 chains and a half. 74 Reserved by the Commis-15 acres and 32 perches at Kaiapoe, commen- Reserve forChurch ditto sioner of Crown Lands, cing at the North West corner of section Cemetery, Mar 1854. 338e on the North road following along the ket, &c. road Northerly 19 chains, and back Easterly 8 chains in a rectangular block Ditto 15 acres at Stoneyhurst, commencing at the Reserve for Land- ditto South Eastern corner of allotment No. 1 ing Place opposite the landing place (on the edge of the reserve of 100 feet above high water 1 mark), thence N. 22° E., 14 chains, 20 links, thence Easttrly at a right across the ravine 10 chains, and again at a right angle back to the edge of the reserve above high water mark and following along the said reserve to the commencing point. 76 Ditto 28 perches at the Little River Head on the Reserve for Wa» ditto Akawa bridle path, having one chain fron- tering Place tage on the road reserve and back Southerly in a rectangular block, 1 chain 80 links. 77 Reserved by the agent of 188 acres in Paka Ariki Bay, Akaroa, subjectGovernment Re- ditto the New Zealand Com- to a claim of JVlr. Fitzherbert of Wellington, serve pany, 1849. of 37 acres. 78 Reserved by the agent of 250 acres at Akaroa on the South side of Akaroa Town Re- ditto the Nanto Boydelaise French Bay, subject to a claim of the Rev. serve Company. "W. Aylmer of 14 acres granted by the Canterbury Association and now confirmed bythe Officer administering the Government. 1 Natives, September 1848.2640 acres at Kaiapoe. ditto 2 " " 5 " at Kaikainni, Wai Makeiriri. ditto 3 " " 47 " at Taumatu. ditto 4 " S3 " at " ditto 5 " October 1818. 376 " at Arowenua. ditto 0 " " 187 " at " * ditto 7 " " 17 " at " These Reserves ditto 8 " " 20 " at Timaru made by W. ditto 9 " " 13 " at Te Rapa's Pa, Rivet Waitaki Mantell, Esq. ditto 12 " September 1849.1361 " in Port Levy Commissioner, ditto 13 " July " 856 " at Rapaki, Port Cooper &c. ditto 14 " " " 10 " at Purau, " ditto 15 " December 1854. 40 " at Wti Mate Mate, near the River This Reserve made ditto Waitaki by W. G. Britton, Esq., Commissioner of Crown Lands, &c. (Signed) William Guisk Bbittan, Commissioner of Crown Lands, Canterbury.

ENCLOSURE TO MESSAGE No. 29.

Lands Office, Nelson, December 6th, 1854. Sib, — I do myself the honour to forward the Return called for by your circular of the 2Cth October 1854, of all lands granted without payment for religious, educational, and other public purposes, or on account of public services, distinguished as requested by your letter. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient servant, (Signed) M. Richmond, Commissioner of Crown Lands. The Honourable the Colonial Secretary, Auckland.

Land Office, Nelson, (Signed) M. RICHMOND, January 15, 1855. Commissioner Crown Land.

PROVINCE OF NELSON. A Return of all Lands which have been granted without payment for Religious, Educational, or other Public Purposes, or on account of Public Services.

Name of Grantee. Date of Grant. Contents. District. Purpose for which granted. Remarks. 1851 a. r. p. Redwood, Henry, and others as Trustees Sept. 6 10 0 Town of Nelson For purposes connected with the Roman Ca- j G ran t taken out tholic Religion J Redwood, Henry, and others as Trustees Ditto 0 3 0 Ditto For a Cemetery for members of Roman Ca- j Grant taken out tholic Religion J Redwood, Henry, and others, as Trustees Ditto 0 2 4 Ditto For site for Roman Catholic Church Grant taken out. at "' eWj others as Irus- ) 5 0 0 Waimea South For a School for all classes and denominations Grant taken out. Campbell, Matthew, and others Ditto 0 2 2 Motueka For a School for all classes and denominations Grant taken out. Richmond, M., and others Ditto 2 1 0 Nelson For a General Cemetery Completed and awaiting issues Watkins, James and others Ditto 0 10 Ditto For a Chapel and Schoolhouse for the Wes- 1 g rant t a k en ou t leyaii Methodists j Heicre, J. W. C., and others Ditto 0 18 Ditto For & Lutheran Church and School Grant taken out. Ditto ditto 120 Waimea East For a Lutheran Church, School, and Clergy- j g rant ( a ken out. man's House J Redwood and others 2 0 0 Waimea West Site for a Church Completed and ready for issue: 1852 S Tal . a .". d . . S . P .?. k . C . r . ?! { 13 2 0 Nelson For Public Markets Completed and ready for issue. Ditto ditto 1259 0 0 Nelson, Motueka, and Wairan Endowments for Hospital and Lunatic Asy- j Completed and ready forissue. Ditto ditto 1 1 22 Nelson For public purposes Completed and ready for issue. 1853 Lord Bishop of New Zealand July 600 0 0 Motueka Endowment for an Industrial School Grant taken out. Monro, D., and others 1735 0 0 Nelson, Motueka, Wairau and Endowment for College and Grammar) Grant taken out. Massacre Bay School j Lord Bishop of New Zealand 10 0 Town of Nelson Site for English Church | signature.'' '°^ e^IIlat0n V 1854 T J, T i ,i _ ,. a , , n .• . nu i f Forwarded to Auckland for Ladley, James, and others 0 3 0 Town of Nelson Site for a Baptist Chapel {signature Hough, W., and others . . 10 0 Town of Nelson For the Residence of the Wesleyan School-) Forwarded to Auckland for master ) ] signature.

ENCLOSURES TO MESSAGE No. 33.

(Military confidential.) Downing-street, 9th June, 1853. Sir.— I have to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 14th December last marked confidential with its enclosures. I need not on the present ocasion advert to the possibility of any interruption of peace but I think it right to state that the condition of the sea defences of the towns of New Zealand as represented by Colonel Wynvard, is such as to require your serious attention, the more so, indeed, as it scarcely probable that I may have it in my power to hold out the expectation of any assistance from this country, for the purpose of placing those defences in a respectable state. _ ... The National resources must be reserved for the maintenance of the great military posts, in the preservation of which the Empire at large is _ The best security for New Zealand lies in the strength of the Empire. Ihe Colony has not the means, nor is it called upon to fortify itself against a regular, and formidable aggression, but it ought to be able to secure its harbours and towns against sudden, ana isolated attack from any quarter. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your obedient , humble servant, Newcastle, Governor Sir George Grey, K.C. Bi

(Signed) M. RICHMOND, Commissioner Crown Lands. A true Copy. (Signed) Donald McLean, Land Commissioner,

RETURN OF THE NATIVE TRUST PROPERTY AND RENTAL FOR THE PROVINCE OF NELSON.

Number of Quantity of Land Quantity of Land occupied by Number of Acres sections. Let. Terms of Lease. Natives. Unlet. ——— — Annual Rental. dumber of Acrcs given IV, „r t , ,, . , , ~ " in trust to the Bishop umber of lenants. Town of Motueka and Town of Motueka and Town of Nelson. Town of Motuekaand Town of Motueka and of New Zeland for an Nelson. Moutere. Nelson. Moutere. Nelson. Moutere. Nelson. Moutere. Industrial School at ' Motueka. Acres. Acres. Acres. Acres. Years. Years ; Years Years Year, £ g _ d _ Acres Acres . Acres . Acre9 . 66 53 of 1 acre 100 of 50 acres 37£ 654- 13 3 16 J 2 22 1 274 3 0 j Si 634 12 2787 925 53 5000 Also 8 yearly Tenancies, and 1 Tenant at Will.

RETURN OF THE NATIVE TRUST PROPERTY AND RENTAL FOR THE PROVINCE OF NELSON.

DONALD McLEAN, Commissioner.

Folio of AT r r> . D 1 Quantity of Number of 1 tv . • . tw r t> . 1 Annual Term of Date of the commence- Date of the expiration Ledger. Name of Occupant. Res.dence. Land let. Section. ' D,StrlCt - Rate of Rental. Rental Lease _ me nt of Lease. of Lease. A. 51. P. £ S ' 1 Morrison and Sclanders Nelson 1 2 0 64 and half 63 Nelson 30/. for acre 30 0 0 14 years 29th Senterober, 1851 29th September, 1865 11 Harley Charles Do. 40 ft frontage by 65 ft 177 Do. 2s. per ft per annum 4 0 0 14 do. 10th October, 1844 10th October, 1858 13 Harley Charles Do. " 177 Do. 30s. per annum 1 10 0 Tenant at Will 15 McDonald John Do. 2 0 0 582 and 583 Do. 30s. pe* acre per annum 3 0 0 7 years 25th March, 1848 25th March, 1855 17 Epps Thomas Do. 1 0 0 367 Do. 30s. per annum 1 10 0 7 do. 25th December, 1848 25th December, 1855 19 Strong Samuel Do. 32 ft frontage 62 Do. 5s. per ft per annum 4 0 0 14 do. 25th March, 1852 25th March, 1866 21 Thomas Do. 1 acre 5 Do. 20s. per annum 10 0 14 de. 25th March, 1854 25th March. 1868 23 Harley Charles Do. 1 do. 244 Do. 30s. per annum 1 10 0 7 do. 29th September, 1848 29th September, 1855 27 Gaukrodger Thomas Do. 2 do. 265 and 267 Do. 20s. per acre per annum 2 0 0 7 do. 29th September, 1848 29th September, 1855 29 Gaukrodger Thomas Do. 1 do. 284 Do. 30s. perannum 1 10 0 7 do. 29th September, 1848 29th September, 1855 <!1 fiaukrodfer Thomas Do 1 3 10 269 and part of 266 Do. 20s. per acre per annum 1 16 3 7 do. 25th December, 1850 25th December, 1857 33 Coombes Henry Do 1 acre 307 Do. 30s. per Tnnum 1 10 0 7 do. 29th September, 1848 29th September, 1855 35 Snow William Do ldo 162 Do. 40s. per annum 2 0 0 7 do. 29th September, 1848 29th September, 1855 \ 7 S Conner and Co Do 1 2 0 416 and half of 417 Do. 30s. per acre per annum 2 5 0 7 do. 29th September, 184-8 29th September, 1855 .,q Frank Tacob Do 2 0 Half of 417 Do. 30s. per annum 110 0 14 do. 25th December, 1849 25th December, 1863 81 Mason Edward Do! 26 ft frontage 159 Do. 2s. 6d. per ft per annum 3 5 0 10 do. 24th June, 1849 24th June, 1859 oo Hrflliflm Tohn S Do 27 ft do. 159 25. 6d. per ft per annnm 3 7 6 10 do. 24th March, 1819 24th March, 18o9 Rr r,„T„bn Do so ft do 159 Do. 2s. 6d. per ft per annum 3 15 0 10 do. 25th December, 1849 25th December, 1859 87 Wre y y vther Long Do. 1 acre' 305 Do. 30s. per a'nnum 1 10 0 Yearly Tenancy 29th September, 1853 80 VVrpv Walter Lent? Do 1 do. 406 Do. oOs. per annum 1 10 0 Do. 24th June, 1851 91 Watts John ' Do! Half an acre 344 Do. 15s. per annum 0 15 0 14 years 24th June, 1850 24th June, 1864 Q* Watt's Tohn Do 25 ft Do. 5/. per annum 5 0 0 Yearly I enancy 25th December, 1853 fimit'oHfrpr Thomas i Do 2 0 27 261, 263, nnd part of 266 Do. 20s. per acre per annum 2 3 4 7 years 25th December, 1852 25th December, 1859 s $ \t fof & k%zz un u i do: isar 125 XTe°Un°for a Dr. Moore Do. ! do! 1092 Do. 30s". per annum HO 0 Yeariy Ten.ncy 24th June lSoO 1,9 Taylor George Do. l do. 241 20s per annum Do. *5tb Do ldo.' 598 Do! 51. per annum 5 0 0 14 years 25th March, 1853 25th March, 1867 . ' , T n ' 4 1 30 521 and 522 Do. 30s. per acre per annum 2 3 1 14 do. 29th September, 1851 29th September, 18C5 Walter Long Do. 4 1 30 60s. per annum 3 0 0 14 do. 24th June, 1851 24th June, 1865 137 White George . 40s. per annum 2 0 0 14 do. 25th December, 1851 25th December, 1865 ' r , ross a,nes ml , ' 20 ft frontage 62 Do. 5s. per ft per annum 5 0 0 14 do. 25th March, 1852 25th March, 1866 and Ogg Do. 20 ft fronage 5s. per ft per annum 5 0 0 14 do. 21th June, 1843 25th March, 1864 loo Berry Thomas, senior Do. f ln lcfe 443 Do. 5«. per annum 5 0 0 21 do. 24th June, 1843 24th June, 1864 109 Martin and Ellrott Do. Half an acre Dq _ 51. per annum 5 0 0 21 do. 25th March, 1852 25tb March, 1873 *2i TraTers, W. 1. L. Do. 62 Do. 5s. per ft per annum 7 10 0 14 do. 25th March, 1852 25th March, 1866 163 McGlasbon John Do. oO f frontage ])o _ 5s. per ft per annum 7 10o 14 do. 29th March, 1852 25th March, 1866 165 Grantham George Do. 30 ft do. Do . 30s. per annum 1 10 0 7 do. 25th March, 1852 25th March, 1859 169 Gate William L)o. 1 acrt annum 0 15 0 Yearly Tenancy 1st September, 1853 175 Dn " ,el J? 0 ' ! "J*" 6 537 Do! 30s. per annum 1 10 0 7 years 25th March, 1848 25th March, 1855 177 Wil iaras Henry Do. 1 acre 91 , D 0 60s. per annum 3 0 0 14 do. 25th December, 1853 25th December, 1867 211 Hallway C. rs. -Do. 1 o. 927 229 231. 233 Do. 1 acre at 30s., 3 acres at 20s.per annum 4 10 0 Yearly Tenancy 25th December, 1853 213 Bush G. T. Do. l T 90 ' 12 Motueka 10s. per acre per annum 0 14 0 14 years 25th March, 1849 25th March, 1863 59 Atkins Ihomas Motueka. 1 1 20 10s. per acre per annum 111 6 14 do. 25th March, 1849 25th March, 1863 til Atkins Ihomas Do. 3 0 24 Dq _ 4s. per acre 1st 7 years ) 104 Do ' 6s do 2nd 7 do. *- 10 0 0 21 do. 25th December, 1853 25th December, 1847 62 Atkins Thomas Do. oO acres - dQ _ „ rd ? | Parts of 123, 186 Do. 51. per annum 5. 0 0 14 do. 25th December, 1853 25th December, 1847 74 Parker Charles Do. 4 do. 139 part of 140 Do. 2s. 6d. per acre per annum 9 10 0 14 do. 29th September, 1852 29th September, 1866 101 Jennings David Do. 76 do. p' a rtofl99 Do. 30s. per annum 110 0. 14 do. 25th December, 1853 25th December, 1867 110 j Chamberlain John , Do. 35 Do 7s. 6rf. per acre per annum 2 5 0 14 do. 29th September, 1851 29th September, 1865 119 j B°ys William | Do. 6 acres 7s. (id. per acre per annum 117 6 14 do. 29th September, 1851 29th September, 1865 lit I Bradley James, junior Do. 0 do. Dq 7s. 6<J. per acre per annum 1 17 6 14 do. 25th December, 1851 25th December, 1865 147 Ihomas William Do. o uo. ]j 0 7s. 6tf. per acre per annum 1 11 10 14 do. 25th December, 1851 25th December, 1865 149 Noden John Do. Parts of 46 and 47 Do. 4 acres at 7s. 6d. 3 do. at 5s. per annum 2 5 0 14 do. 24th June, 1853 24th June, 1867 191 I ennant Richard 1 o. 7 acres 210 Do. los. per acre per annum 5 0 0 do. 25th December, 1853 25th December, 1867 199 Austin Thomas Do. 10 do. 10s. per acre per annum 5 0 0 14 do. 25th December, 1853 25th December, 1S67 201 Jacka Thomas Do. 10 do. 6s. per acre per annum 3 3 0 14 do. 25th December, 1853 25th December, 1867 203 Coppins, William Do. 10 2 O 5s. per acre per annum 12 10 0 14 do. * 25th December, 1853 25th December, 1867 205 Mitton E. Do. 50 acres E() 10s. per acre per annum 6 7 6 14 do. 25th December, 18.53 25th December, 1867 209 Whitehead Joseph Do. 12 A 0 - Do. 10s. per acre per annum 4 n 0 14 do. 25th December, 1853 25th December, :867 210 Whitehead Joseph j Do. 8 acres and half 1 Do. 5s. per acre per annum 18 15 0 14 do. 25th December, 1853 25th December, 1S67 215 Greenwood John Do. o o. > , perannum 1st.7 years 1 u d „ 25 th December, 1855 25th December, 1867 144 VVilkie James Nelson 30 do. 1 2U \ 11. do. 2nd 7 do. / , 205 Moutere f 3s. per acre per anm. 1st 7 years,! 7 10 0 14 do. 25th December, 1855 25th December, 1867 46 Maund Richard Moutere 50 do. \5s. do. 2nd 7 do. / . 202 Do. 41, per annum 4 0 0 J4 do. 2oth March, 18o4 25th March, 1868 157 Chamberlain John Do. ou ao. Dq 2s. per acre per annum 5 O 0 14 do. 25th December, 1853 25th December. 1867 207 Funnell Walter o. o < o. Mouteka 2s. 6d. per acre per annum 12 10 0 l'i do. 24th June, 1854 24th June, 1868 217 Horneman Frederick Kelson 100 do. -i 1 *- 6 uuu 1 1 3 0 66 tenants

ENCLOSURE TO MESSAGE No 48.

SUM'S expended on account of the purchase, of Land from aboriginal natives, or in the extinguishment of their rights to Land during the nine months ended the 31 si March, 1855, as brought finally to account.

£ s. Payments for Land .. .. .. .. .. .. 17 ;2 99 10 7 Land Purchase Commissioners Department—Salaries .. .. .. 1,404 16 0 Presents to Natives .. .. .. .. .. .. 705 8 10 Contingencies .. .. .. .. .. ! 855 12 8 J 20,265 8 1

CHARLES KNIGHT, Auditor-General. Audit Office, Auckland, August 28th, 1855,

STATEMENT OF SUMS EXPENDED IN THE PURCHASE OF LAND FROM THE NATIVES AND IN EX TINGUISHING THEIR RIGHTS TO LAND, DURING THE NINE MONTHS ENDED THE 31M MARCH, 185 5 "

Province of Wellington. ! 1853 ! £ s d Wairarapa and East ) For Claims to Wellington and Porirua 29th August ! 100 0 0 Coast Natives j j Blacksmiths Homestead (Turanganui 22ud October 10 0 0 Whareama Block " 2nd December 300 0 0 Part of Whareama 9th " I 300 0 0 Manuwatu Block lUth " 800 0 0 Makoura « » jqq q q Te Haninamu For Upokongaruru " " 200 0 0 Part of Whareama 12th " 100 0 0 " McMaster's run " " 100 0 0 J3tn " iOO 0 0 Gillie's Homestead (Otoraia) " " 100 0 0 Waka For Kurutawiti 14th " 120 0 0 Manihera " " •• « 100 0 0 Northwood Homestead " " 100 0 0 Tamhihana Pait of Block No. 1, West side of Lake " " 200 0 0 Land on the Ruhamahanga . 15th " 20 0 0 Waironiromai 22nd 100 0 0 Part of instalment due in May, 1854, for Moroa " " 100 0 0 Block at the entrance of the Wairarapa Road 23rd " 1000 0 0 Ngnika For part of Wilson's tun 24th " 100' 0 0 Te Wereta j Home Station for John McKenzie at Te Witi I 20th lc 50 0 0 Ngaika Part of Captain Smith's run 27th " 200 0 0 Te Wereta For Land East of Kaiwata " '' 200 0 0 Hupuku For Haimond Petas Land 31st " 100 0 0 1854 Tautane Block 3rd January 500 0 0 Te Awaite and part of Pahaua '' " 600 0 0 Ahiarupe 4th " 250 0 0 Harekaka Plains " " 1000 0 0 Pa*t of Ruataniwa (Ith " 300 0 0 Extinguishing title to Ngatitama, Ngatiavva, and Ngatitoa, tribes to Wairarapa 7th " 700 0 0 Cape Kidnapper 9th " 1100 0 0 Part of Captain Smith's run " " 25i) 0 0 •' « " 11th " 250 0 0 Te Ropiha Te Ropiha, for Koangawarvvari •' " 1300 0 0 Okawa Block, East Cape 17th " 4JO 0 0 Te Kepa, for claims to Wairarapa " " 50 0 0 Awhea 18; h " 100 0 0 Pi and Hiriona Paid to Pi and Heriona for claims to Wairarapa 6th February 50 0 0 Rauma and others Ditto ditto Ist Match 40 0 0 4 Province of Nelson. Taranaki natives For Waitol i, Wairau, and Arapauri ! 2nd March 200 0 0 Extinguishing claims to Nelson Province j 10th " 500 0 0 Carried forward ..•••• £11/J9O 0 0

£ s. d. Brought forward 11,990 0 0 Province of JS'ew Plymouth. Absentee Natives Queen Charlotte's Sound, for Mangore Block 3rd January 100 0 0 For extinguishing claims of absentees at Wellington 10th " 800 0 0 For Hua Block 3000 0 0 Katatori For claims of self and tribe to several blocks of Land purchased at New Plymouth i 7<h " 100 0 0 For inland part of Waiwakau Block Bth " 200 0 0 C. W. Ligar For Land called Matekeka I\lay, 1853 180 0 0 Ditto Puke Kawere June, 1854 10 0 0 Ditto December, 1853 10 0 0 A- O'Brien A. O'Brien, compensation allowed to him to partially extinguishing native title to Land February 298 15 0 Helen Byron Allowance for house 9th October, 1854 10 U 0 Payments at Otago Interest on loau October 9 15 7 To Natives on Muriheku purchase November 600 0 0 £17,299 10 7

LAND PURCIIASE DEPARTMENT. Salaries, Sc., paid to Commissioners, Sub-Commissioners, and Clerks.

1854 D. McLean and Clerks Salaries June 82 6 4 " Travelling expenses 8 6 8 J.G.Johnson Salary June 20 16 8 D. McLean, 11. Kemp, J. G. Johnson, and Clerks " July 110 15 0 D. McLean Travelling allowance 8 6 8 John White * Salary June 12 10 0 H. Kemp, J. G. Johnson, and Clefks " August 77 8 4 D. McLean, H. Kemp, J. G. Johnson, and Clerks " September 97 10 0 D. McLean August 33 6 8 H.T.Kemp " April 20 16 8 D. McLean Travelling allowance August and September 16 13 4 John While and Thos. McDonnell Salaries ' September 21 10 0 Thos. McDonnell " August 3 6 0 D.McLean,II.T. Kemp, J. G. Johnson, and Clerks " October 114 18 4 D. McLean Travelling allowance " 8 6 8 John White and Thos. McDonell Salaries " 21 16 0 H. T. Kemp, J. G. Johnson, and Clerks " November CO 10 0 John White " 12 10 0 H. T. Kemp, J. G, Johnson, and t A. Mclnncs " December ; GO 17 0 John White " " I 12 10 0 Carr ed forward-••»•••••••» £805 1 4

H. T. Kemp and A. Brought forward ..805 \ \ Mclnnes Salaries Jannarv 1 at n John White « January j 35 17 0 H.T. Kemp, J. G. John- 1210 0 J .G n i£,t Mclo " e ' : 1 jt »•«. D. McLean, G. S. j Cooper, and Cle.ks « Novembpr ge D McLean G. S. December 1854, and Cooper, and Clerks « JaDU J855 , 74 16 Q G. S. Cooper < February a, d March 50 0 0 m. liaise " j„]y and September 50 0 o 1 " October and December 50 0 0 1855 lto " January and February 33 6 & £ 1,404 16 0

PRESENTS TO NATIVES ON ACCOUNT OF LAND PURCHASES.

£ s. d. J. Simms & Co. Provisions for Natives June 57 18 11 July 121 8 5 *' " August 12 15 S " " 20 10 g T. S. Forsaith Cloth " May and June 15 6 9 July 5 2 6 J. Simms & Co. Provisions September 418 5 " " October and December 142 11 10 « « « « 16 J3 9 1855. J. W. Reading Clothing February 813 6 Wm. Boyd Tent for Ruhana " 45 0 H.T.Kemp Cash to Katauna Jane 10 0 New Plymouth— P. F. Hoskins Supplies to Natives j January and May 13 17 9 " " June and October 912 " " " : October and December 10 14 7 " Presents " February 12 4 0 " " " •• 16 2 8 " « " March 78 0 " Provisions " March anl June 32 8 2 " " " August aud September 32 0 \V. Black Presents " June 27 15 8 " " " July and September 21 10 7 W. Hougle Provisions " December 48 10 G. Tan " ,c " 64 7 8 R. Ross " " " 48 14 9 John Henley " " November 10 0 0 Jones and Williamson " " " 517 10 Duncan " " "5 16 K-i Walter Blautell I I " 134 £705 8 IQ£

CONTINGENCIES ON ACCOUNT OF LAND PURCHASES.

1853. £ s. d. A.Brown His account for Governor's party 19th August 15 0 William Ardley Account of Ferry at Wairarapa 23rd "16 6 Hariatione ]5 days work at 3s. a day 24th "2 5 0 Pene For dog killed by Europeans 30th "10 0 Raiate Wages Ist September 35 0 Ferry For Government Messenger at Wairarapa « «0 3 0 Hemi te Miha For carrying despatches from Wairarapa to 21st "10 0 Wellington H. Morrison Present to Te Manihera 10th October 14 0 0 Hari Carrying Sir George Grey's luggage from " «213 0 Wairarapa to Wellington Bidwell His account for provisions for Natives " "10 0 Native For carrying Survey instruments to and 3 2th "211 0 from Wairarapa Te Wereta Blanket and shirt for 13th "110 0 Messenger From Captain Smith to Wanga Moana and 20th "012 0 back, 4 days at 3s. Blacksmith For shoeing horses in Government service 22nd "2 8 6 H.. Brown For saddle broken by Piri Kawau " "212 0 Tamihane 23 days work on Survey, at 3s. " 39 0 do. For food supplied to Natives engaged on " "216 0 Survey Guthrie His account, presents to Chiefs 31st "619 li McMarshall Drawing plan of land Castle point Ist November 10 0 AScKain Presents to Chiefs 11th "4 9 0 Colonso Account (presents to Chiefs) 14th "1119 10 Joseph Mason Carrying despatches 17th "2 0 0 Native For finding Mr. Park's compass 05 0 Herewine Hawaii Carrying luggage from Ahuriri to Waipi- 17th November kurrau 0 8 0 Herinine For use of an iron pot " "0 8 0 Mikeara Wera Carrying despatches from Native Chiefs at 14th December 20 0 Wairarapa to Mr. McLean at Wairarapa Hodder Expenses ot Natives 17th "110 0 For use of horse to Hawke's bay and back 19th "2 0 0 1854 Tawhaki Wages 7th January 113 0 Spinks Contractor's account for food for Natives 17th " 144 4 1 J.M.Taylor His account " "9517 6 Demurrage of " Sea Belle" at Wellington 24th February 70 0 Native Chiefs Lent to them to be re-paid out of instal- " " 230 7 0 ments falling due for Land at Waira- i rapa ■Province of New Plymouth. Gilmore Account for stationery 32rd " 010 0 Messengers From New Plymouth to Wellington 60 0 " Sea Belle" Preight of gold (£400) to Auckland 40 0 Demurrage at the Waitara 80 0 Ranura 11th March 50 0 For a tent " "8 0 0 Cudlipp For repairing a tin box 18th "0 7 0 Sharland Presents to Chiefs " "2 4 6 Plack Food for Natives " "817 10 Crocker do. " " 0 13 0 J. &R. Gilmore Account for stationery 20th "010 0 John Medland For copying a deed <l ■ if 010 0 Chief Ngahuru Lent to him 17 "8 0 0 Carried forward £681 0 6

Brought f0rward.......... .£OBl o (5 & s. d. Kihirini and Tarata Travelling expenses May 1 0 0 John White do. " 1 17 6 J. G. Johnson Passage to and from Mahuranga May and Jane 14 5 o " Pay of Native attendants 15 15 0 J. White Native attendants June Oil 8 " " " July 0 10 0 " " " May and June 2 3 4 " " " February and April 13 4 0 H. T. Kemp Passage from Wellington August 9 0 0 J.G.Johnson Travelling February and August 18 0 0 E. King 3 office chairs May 0 19 6 J. A. Langford do. April 14 0 J. G. Johnson Passage June 3 0 0 " " August 16 16 0 H. T. Kemp Native attendants July and August 3 0 0 Surveys, A. 11. Russell Salary September 25 0 0 August 20 10 11 " Native attendants and provisions " 14 0 3 J.G.Johnson Travelling allowance September and October 11 13 0 John White Native attendants November and December] 2 2 0 £855 12 8

STATEMENT of sums paid to the, New Zealand Company under the provisions oj the Constitution Act, dming the nine months ended the 31st March 1855.

"""""' 1854 £ s. d, Commissary-General on account of Auckland April and July 4,727 13 9 " « " " August 325 16 ]0 Assistant Commissary-General " " September 762 11 2 Deputy Assistant " " October 1,402 6 2 " " '• « Otago July 1850 and May 1854 1,299 19 5 " " « " New Plymouth August and December 1853 504 411 " << " " Canterbury July 1853 and June 1854 595 10 0 «• > « « <• Auckland November 1854 570 4 3 Ci Ct it it « December " 297 14 ci « « « " January 1855 723 13 10 t< a « (< f February " 700 17 11 «< « •' «• Wellington July 1853 and September 1854 7.777 12 6 «. <i « « Canterbury " December 8,057 11 0 c. it « '« Otago June 465 2 7 Commissariat Chest at Wellington on account of Nelson June 1854 1,309 5 8 n a a a « July " 1.558 210 11 a .c it " August" 282 6 0 i< a a " " September and October 185 18 1 a a a « November 1854 and January 1855 1,211 6 I £32,757 16 9

CHARLES KNGHT, Auditor-General. Audit Office Auckland, August 28, 1855.

ENCLOSURES TO MESSAGE No. 52.

Land Purchase Department, Auckland, August 30th 1855. Sir, — Before the close of the present Session of the General Assembly of New Zealand, I conceive it to be my duty to bring under the consideration of his Excellency the officer administering the Government, the necessity that exists for providing a sum, either by loan or otherwise, of not less than Fifty thousand pounds a year, which might be from time to time raised, to enable the Government to carry on arrangements for extinguishing the native title to lands in these islands. The necessity for such a lone is so generally apparent to the Colonists at large, that my aducinw any reason in support of it may appear almost superfluous. I shall however briefly allude to a few which may not be out of place in making this application. Ist. —The successful colonization of this Northern Island of New Zealand has been greatly retarued. chiefly in consequence of the unsettled state of the Native land question, involving many of the early settlers in ruin, besides entailing a debt of Two hundred and sixty-eight thousand pounds on the Colony. 2,nd—The difficulties arising out of the unsettled state of the Land Question, bave been within the last few years gradually removed by acquisition of territory from the Natives, but owing to the increased demand for land arising from the numerous arrivals of immigrants (many of them possed of wealth and energy) from Great Britain and the neighbouring sufficiency of land has not yet been acquired, more especially in the Aucklana Province, to meet this demand Any check, therefore, to the acquisition of land, when it can be obtained from the natives, must be highly injurious to the present and prospective prosperity, not only of any particular province, but of the Colony at large, as the influence that those purchases produce are not confined to provincial limits, but extend throughout the different tribes in both Islands. In illustration of this I may remark that the presence of some chiefs from the Wellington Province, who have sold and who are stdl desirous of selling more land to the Government, has recently encouraged several of the chiefs in this province, hitherto adverse to the sale of land, to come forward and offer some valuable tracts to the Government. The natives regard the transfer of their land, as an act of great national importance, and their pride is eaisly injured, if advantage is not taken of their offers to dispose of it, more aspecially as they conceive notwithstanding the many advantages they derive from doing so, that they have not till then entirely yielded their own independence, laws, and customs, in exchange for the restraints which their elder men, with the jealousy natural to them, apprehend they must submit to by the introduction amongst them of English law and authority, which is generally as much respected in Districts acquired from them, as it is disregarded in many of the unpurchased portions of the country. Within the last few weeks a great number of natives have visited me f.orn different parts of this Province. Many of them chiefs of great influence, who are particularly anxious to enter into arrangements for the cession of some very valuable tracts of land. Should these Chiefs be disappointed by not effecting' their purpose, there is every probability from their fluctuating disposition, that they might hereafter decline to sell their land, even at a greatly advanced price. Instances of this kind have been of such frequent occurrence in New Zealand, that every care should be taken to guard against a recurrence of them as well as of the complications and difficulties that arrise from inability to conclude purchases with sufficient promptness.

Regarding the measure in a pecuniary point of view, it is better to use some exeition to provide funds without delay, whilst the land can be obtained on moderate terms, than to run the risk of not obtaining it at all, or, if eventually obtained, to be compelled to pay an enormously high price for it. In Auckland within the last eighteen months, about six hundred thousand acres ot land in different parts of the Province have been negotiated for, of this extent about three hundred thousand acres have been partially surveyed so as to prevent disputes in reference to boundaries with the Natives. The various details connected with the purchases have also been so far adjusted, that on the payment of a few instalments, still due to the natives, the negotiations will be completed. Fromtwo of those purchases alone, the one in the vicinity of the town near Orakei, and that at the Waiuku, it may be estimated that for an outlay of about six thousand pounds, a revenue will be realized of not less than fifty or sixty thousand pounds, independent of the more permanent revenue that must accrue from the occupation of the land by European colonists. As an investment therefore, independent of the polital importance of the question, I think there can be no doubt as to the expediency of providing funds for this service, I have, &c-, (Signed) Donald McLean. Principal Commissioner, The Honourable the Colonial Secretary.

Land Purchase Department, Auckland, August 31, 1855. Sir, — I have the honor to report to you, for the information of his Excellency, the officer administering the Government, that it is of great importance that arrangements should be made with as little delay as possible to complete the negotiations which have been undertaken with the Natives in 1853 for the unpurchased parts of the Nelson and Canterbury Provinces, as I apprehend that any fnrther may very much complicate the final adjustment of this important question. I would also submit that a sum of Two thousand pounds (£2000) mav be required for completing this extensive purchase. I believe that a sum of that amount was retained in the hands of the Crown Commissioner for this purpose, expecting that I should have gone at an earlier period to Nelson to settle the question. Whether this amount is still retained by the Commissioner for this purpose, I am unable to state, but if it is, it would be much more convenient to receive authority to get the money there, and pay it, or such portions of it as may be found necessary, at Nelson. I would like to be favored with instructions as to whether I am to proceed after his Excellency can dispense with my services at Taranaki, to adjust the Nelson question, which I fear the commissioner there will be unable to average satisfoctorily without my assistance and presence of several chiefs from Wellington Province, who ceded the land in the first instance to the crown. I have, &c., (Signed) D. McLean." Principal Commissioner. The Honourable the Colonial Secretary, Auckland.

ENCLOSURES TO MESSAGE NO. 53.

To Ilis Excellency The Officer administering The Government of New Zealand. Sir, — Having been given to understand that a reference has been made to your Excellency by the Colonial Office, with a view to obtaining from the Executive an opinion as to the desirableness of permitting the "Oriental Bank Corporation" to extend their business to these colonies, I beg respectfully to submit, for the information of your Excellency, the following statements as bearing upon the subject. This Company was incorporated by Royal Charter, bearing date the 30th August, 1851. for carrying on general Banking business in Ceylon and Hong Kong (subsequently extended to Mauritius), and granting permission to establish Agencies for the transaction of " Exchange, Deposit, and Remittance business " in any place to the eastward of the Cape of Good Hope. Deeming that the time had arrived when Branches of the Corporation might be established in the Australian and New Zealand Colonies, with advantage both to the public and to the Bank, the Court of Directors made application to the Lord Commissioners of her Majesty's Treasury for a warrant under the Charter to enable them to carry on general Banking business, as well as that of " Exchange, Deposit, and Remittance," to which the terms of the Charter restricted them. Various other applications having been made to their Lordships from new Companies for similar privileges of Banking in these colonies, their Lordships did not consider it expedient to encourage such undertakings until reference had been made to the several Colonial Governments for. their sanction and approval. I may here mention that we have obtained from the respective Governments at Sydney and Melbourne a strong recommendation in furtherance of the desire of the Court of Directors, and that the Treasury Warrants for these places are now daily expected. This Corporation has now establishments at each of the Indian Presidencies at Singapore, and in the North of China, together with the places above-men-tioned, and I would take the liberty to point out to your Excellency the many and good facilities which it is in the power of the Corporation to render to the Colonial trade, not only with Great Britain but with the principal parts of the East and the United States of America, by means of its numerous Branches and Agencies, promoting an easy and direct interchange of commodities with the above important sources of supply of the necessaries of life. With the ample it has at command, the Oriental Bank Corporation is now fully prepared to commence Banking business in these colonies, and under the great safeguard to the public arising from the stringent regulations under which it is bound by its Charter, and more particularly by the power vested in the Local Governments, of exercising a strict surveillance over the business, and inspecting from time to time the bullion, specie, and general securities of the Bank. Under these circumstances, I venture to hope that your Excellency will take this matter into favorable consideration ; but as further information may probably be required by your Excellency, I would respectfully solicit the honor of an interview on an early day, when it will afford me much pleasure to lay before your Excellency a copy of the Boyal Charter of the Corporation, to answer such questions, and afford such information as may be deemed necessary, I have, &c., (Signed) J. A. Cargill, Agent for the Oriental Bank Corporation*

Colonial Secretary's Office, g IR Auckland, 12th October, 1854. With reference to your letter of the 3rd instant, representing »h P J ■ bleness of permitting the Oriental Bank Corporation, of which you are an a'""" to extend their business to this colony, I have the honor by direction ofX' Officer administering the Government in Council, to inform you that thVr ment consider it would be for the advantage of the public if another )T?" ment for the purpose of carrying on Banking bus,ner(there benTj onwl: Sh ; present, the Union Bank of Australia) were established in the colonv -inrl appears that the Oriental Banking Company is of confirmed r P f.' V 1 Excellency has addressed H. M. GoLnm.St, lo Is'Ty' ZeiLnd. g Com P an 7 to extend its operations to the colony of New I have, See., (Signed) Wm, Gisborne, J. A. Cargill, Esq., F ° r the Colomal Secretary. Agent for the Oriental Banking Company.

ENCLOSURES TO MESSAGE NO. 55..

Land Purchase Department, y Auckland, 31st August, 1855; Ihe native chief, Te fiapuku, has purchased a vessel frotr. W S Grahame, Esq., of this city, for a sum of twelve hundred pounds (£1,200) for which amount he agrees to hand over to the Government a valuable block of land in the Ahuriri District, and if his Excellency approves of this purchase, TeHapuku will at once execute a conveyance to the Crown of the land in question and authorise the amount payable to him for the said land to be handed over to W S. Grahame, Esq. As this chief has been instrumental in obtaining large tracts" of country for the Government, I should respectfully recommend that his Excellency might meet his wishes by sanctioning, when the money is authorised by the Assembly, that it should be handed over to W. t>. Grahame, Esq., for the vessel, instead of sending it to Ahuriri. ' (Signed) Donald McLean, Principal Commissioner. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary.

Auckland, August 31, 1855, Friend the Governor, Salutation to you. What are your views towards me, now that I have been six weeks in Auckland waiting the payment for my land. Therefore do you give me £5460. Ido not care about the rest at present. But lam thinking about supplies for the vessel and food for the crew. If you are not willing to let me have the money what am Ito do for food ? Am I to eat the rigging or the sails, or the planks of the vessel. Ido not wish to receive the money by'instalments, because I did not sell the land to you in small lots, but in extensive blocks. It was for this reason that Mr. McLean advised me to come up to Auckland, when I had arranged the preliminaries with Mr. Cooper, but on my arrival here you told me that all the money was returned to England, and I have hecome embarrassed through living in your town. I cannot go away without paying for the trousers and waistcoat for which I was measured. And now you wish me to jw. \«. return empty handed to iny home. But my land has been occupied by Europeans

while I derive no profit from it. Why should I be deprived of my money ' You say let the vessel be the amount drawn this time. But my wish is, let me have back the vessel and the money that all may be right. Now if I were to demand moned without a claim, it wonld be right for you to act thus. But I give you an equivalent for your money in land. As the matter now stands I wil not take the vessel. I will return in a Maori vessel because lam grieved that I should have come up on a fruitless errand to ask for money from you, and fromyour friend Mr. McLean, an J now you turn your backs upon me. I will do the same to you. Then you will say lam creating an evil, but it is not so, it will be your fault. That is all. Now this is a song for my friend Governor Wynyard. " Sail Slowly, o clouds above the town of Auckland, where dwells the (Governor. O list<-n to my application, borne on the South wind. It was not thought ot by me; it was you who sought me out in my far distant home, and now I return confounded and ashamed. From your friend, (Signed) Te Hapukd.

ENCLOSURE TO MESSAGE No, 1, FROM HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR.

London, 24th April, 1855. My Lord,— Adverting to the legislative measures proposed by the Officer administering the Government of New Zealand, in his address to the Assembly, dated 31st August, 1854, and to Sir George Grey's despatch, dated Bth December, 185 , I have the honor to request that I may be favoured with the views of her Majesty Government previous to my departure for New Zealand. I beg more especially to refer to the constitution of the Legislative Council; and should her Majesty's Government approve of its being made " an elective body so constituted as to be less directly liable than the Assembly to popular impulse, and to be capable of acting as a check against hasty legislation," I should wish to know whether I may be empowered to give my provisional consent to this alteration, reserving the final consideration and approval for her Majesty's Government. The discussion relative to the immediate Responsible Government, detailed in " the further papers" recently presented to both Houses of Parliament, induce me to make this request. I also beg to be informed if the views of her Majesty's Government with regard to the measure for empowering the Superintendents to dissolve the Provincial Councils and for fixing the seat of Government, and appointing a Lieut.-Governor for Auckland, which, though not within the power of the Local Legislature, appear by Sir George Grey's despatch to have occupied the consideration of her Majesty's Government. I learn, also, that the debt to the New Zealand Company is a subject which occupies considerable attention in the colony, and I should be glad to receive instructions for my guidance when this subject is again agitated. Finally, I beg to call your attention to the 18th paragraph of her Majesty's Instructions to me, and to enquire whether it is intended that an Executive Council, partly nominated, should continue in existence after the establishment of Responsible Government, as sanctioned by Sir George Grey's despatch of August 3, 1854. I hava the honor to be, my Lord, Your most obedient servant, Tke Right Hon. Lord J. Russell. T. Gork Bbowkz. &«., 4c., &c. . Downinrr-street, Sir,— 11th May, 1855. I have the honor to acknowledge your letter of the 24th ultimo, requesting to receive instructions for your guidance in certain matters connected with the Government of New Zealand, adverted to by the Acting Governor in his address to the Assembly in August last. I now purpose to answer, in order, the questions which you have put. 1. The New Zealand Constitution Act does not appear tojgive the General Assembly power to constitute an Elective Legislative Council. Any Act which they might pass for this purpose would therefore remain inoperative. But if they should apply for power to make this change by address either to yourself, or to the Crown, and you should find this change to be generally desired, her Majesty's advisers would propose to Parliament a measure for carrying their wishes into effect either by constituting an Elective Council, or enabling the Colonial Legislature, to alter th« Constitution Act in this respect. 2. There is no express power given by the Act of Parliament to the General Assembly to confer the right of dissolving the Provincial Assemblies on the Superintendents, nor does it appear that such a power can be implied. I see no reason for the change, and should be disposed to leave this right in the hands of the Governor.

P«t si !?g the necessary measures to chante^hesea^ofG* 6 "' the G ? neral A »sembly from and her Majesty's Gorernment wilSVflf. n Government if they think proper - this should be desired, and it shall appear to vou' to he ,° a PP°. int a Lieut-Governor, if Government, E'S, i&U?tbTdZTS. NjTz.T d?'"''™ one of so much difficulty Ind LtrLa c r hat k wdl -n, • Con W- The subject is " ,h *'"" of issued, omitting the Senior Military r instructions to be time the instructions may a. uLSerod C ° UnciL Until the Act ""i mavl™ been led to f °™ of advice respecting them ' 1 may hereafter think 14 necessary to take legal I hare the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient servant, (Signed) J. Russell.

ENCLOSURE TO MESSAGE No. 3, FROM HIS EXCELLENCY -THE GOVERNOR. (Copy) Downing-street, Sis,- 15th A P ril > *855. , ref " e " oe 4 ° your Despatch (No. 113,) 23rd O.tober, 1855, I transmit to you e ewith an Order-of the Queen m Council confirming the "Reserved Act" of your Government to authorise the General Assembly to empower the Provincial Council to the Crown ?n g v vi® / ' Lettin S> Dis l )osal > and Occupation of the Waste Lands of tne Crown in Aew Zealand. j ] &c^ The Officer administering the Government, G G y. of New Zealand.

(Cop}) Downing-street, g IK 14th April, 1855. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch, (No. 110.) of the 20th October rfled m an «A Tt ' Ja . ssed b - v the Legislature of New Zealand in September last, entw t 1 t0 r , the law of Marriage" in that Colony, and I have to inform yon that I have submitted this Act to Her Majesty, and that it will be left to its oneratloD - I have, Ac., ( 1 Gr» Grey The Officer Administering the Government, of New Zealsnd.

ENCLOSURE TO MESSAGE No. 4, FROM HIS EXCELLECY THE GOVERNOR.

(Circular) Downing-street, g « 4th May, 1855. With reference to the correspondence which has passed relative to the establishment ot Branch Banks by chartered Colonial Banks in certain Colonies, I transmit herewith tor your information the copy of a letter from the Assistant Secretary to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, with a minute of their Lordships upon that subject. I have, &c., „ J. Russell. Governor Browne, &c., &c., &c., New Zealand.

Treasury Chambers, g 14th April, 1855. I am directed by the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury to transmit to you, for the information of the Secretary of State, the copy of their Lordships' Minute, dated the sth April, 1855, on the subject of the establishment of Branch Banks by certain chartered Colonial Banks in various Colonies. I am, &c., (Signed) C. E. Trevelyax.

COPY OF A TREASURY MINUTE, DATED STH April, 1855. My Lords have before them the several letters from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, forwarding the replies which have been received from the Governors of the several Australian Colonies, to the reference -which had been made by the Duke of Newcastle of application *om certain chartered Colonial Banks, viz. The Oriental Bank, The Bank of Asia, The Bank of India Australia and China, for permission to establish Branch Banks in those Colonies. I hey read also Mr. Merivale's letter of the 28th February last, enclosing a Despatch from the Officer administering the Government of New Zealand, reporting on the application of the Oriental Bank: to be allowed to extend its operations to that Colony; with respect to which my Lords observe that no application has been made from the two other chartered Banks in question. Irom the foregoing Despatches it appears, that the Governments of New South Wales and A ictoria entertain at present, opinions unfavourable to the establishment of additional Banking Companies incorporated by Royal Charter. On the other hand the Government of South Australia reports in favour of the establishment of the Banks in question in that Colony, under the conditions and regulations provided for in their respective Charters. ° The Government of Van Diemens Land considers that the question of the establishment of such Banks may properly be left to the decision of the Banks themselves, and the mercantile community. The Governor of Western Australia reports the proceedings which have taken place in that Colony on the subject, the result of which is,

that the Executive Government and the Chamber of Commerce had adopted resolutions in favor of the establishment of the Banks in question, against the opinion of the Bank at present existing in the Colony. The Officer administering the Government of New Zealand forwards a report from his Executive Council, expressing an opinion that the establishment of the Oriental Bank Corporation in that Colony, would be a decided advantage and convenience to the public, and strongly recommends that steps may be taken by Her Majesty's Government to extend the business of that Bank to New Zealand. My Lords observe that in consequence of previous reports from the Colonies of New South Wales and Yictoria, the Oriental Bank was authorized in pursuance of the minute of this Board of the 4th July last, to establish Branch Banks in those Colonies. Their Lordships are pleased now to direct the issue of a warrant, authorizing the Oriental Bank Corporation to establish Branch Banks in the Colonies of South Australia, Van Diemen's Land, Western Australia, and New Zealand, according to the conditions of their Charter, subject to the restriction with regard to New Zealand, that during continuance of the existing law of that Colony by which the circulation of notes issued by a Government Bank of Issue is regulated, it shall not be lawful for the said Corporation to issue promissory notes payable to bearer on demand, but providing that in case of the repeal or alteration of that law, the said Corporation may issue notes according to the provisions of any law passed in the Colony, authorizing such issue, subject nevertheless, to the provisio, that no such enactments of the Colonial Legislature shall be deemed to authorise the said Bank to issue notes, otherwise than in conformity with the regulations established for that purpose by its Charter of Incorporation. With respect to the applications referred to from the Banks of Asia, and of India Australia and China. My Lords direct the issue of a warrant, authorising the former of these Banks to establish Branch Banks in South Australia, Western Australia, and Van Diemen's Land , and they will take into their consideration the application of the Bank of India Australia and China, as soon as that Corporation has fulfilled the requirements of its Charter preliminary to its commencing business. Acquaint the Directors of the Bank of Asia with the directions given with regard to that Bank, observing that as the Governments of New South Wales and Victoria, have expressed opinions against the establishment in their respective Colonies of any more Banking Companies, incorporated by Royal Charter, my Lords are not prepared to authorise them to establish Branch Banks in those Colonies.

LIST OF ENCLOSURES To Messages Nos. 2 and 43, of His Excellency the Officer administering the Government, to the House of Representatives, Session 3, 1855, on the subject of the Native Disturbances at New Plymouth.

Elif" The Papers marked (*) ordered to be printed. Date. Nnmo of Writer. To whom addressed. Subject. 1 26 Dec., 1854 Colonial Secretary Native Secretary Directing him to proceed in steamer " Nelson," to enquire into causQ of disturbances. ; « T i " ore " Auditor-General Informing that Ihaia's namo had been struck ot the list of Assessors. , ■ ** VJ y ' Hi. " „ Urignde Major Requesting to bo informed whether 400 stand of arms can be spared for use of Militia. .1 l»ec., ltij-i „ Sub-Treasurer, N. P. Informing him tlmtlhaia had been struck off list of Assessors. •' » >> Native Secretary Ditto ditto ditto ® t> » Superintendent Ditto ditto ditto 7 12 Aug., 1855 Brigade Major Colonial Secretary Informing him of embarkation of Military force on board " Duke of Portland." 30 Jan., 1854 Minute of Executive Suggestions for the defence and protection of New Plymouth. Council »?n "E Superintendent „ Reporting murder by a Native As«essor, and enclosing report of Inspector of Police. *ii . ' !-*-'! " » Ditt0 «ri'ival of 300 armed Natives of Ngatiruanui tnbe to revenge Rawiri's death. » i '• " " Ditt0 storming of Ihaia's pah. 20 » » » Enclosing roport from Sub-inspector of Police, on recent attack on Ihaia's Pah, and minutes of „ r Provincial Council. ii in, 1 ®f. His Excellency Opinion as to Mr. McLean's report, and enclosing minutes of Provincial Council. }; ,! " ct ;> 18 y » Colonial Secretary Enclosing Resolutions of Bench of Magistrates on tho subject of a Garrison at New Plymouth. *ii- ill m° T ' i!« " " Requesting information as to the formation of a Rifle Corps. L' if- t " His Excellency General Report, enclosing copies of letters from Amara ICaraka, and Tamati Rokawn. 1 "n \f n " " " •» Enclosing Report of Inspector of Police as to affray in the Puketapu tribe. " " " Suggestions on matters contained in tlie Private Secretary's despatch of 8th May, 1855. 1 " '' »» Reporting that tho Ngatiruanui had been recalled to attack Amara K urakii, and enclosing report _ . of Snb-Iuspector of Police. ~ ® , , ne ' " <• » Reporting state of Militia List. 2 July, „ ,, ,, Enclosing monthly report of Sub-Inspector of Police. )} » » » Enclosing report of Sub-Inspector of police of attack on Ninia Pah. ' •> » » ,, Reporting the arrival of the " Alexander," with the Iron Bajracks. " " » » Reporting that Ivatatore alleges that the Europeans caused tho war by encouraging Rawirito cut tho disputed boundrv line. 'J* " .ii i, Reporting a difficulty of Postal Communication. i. Aug., 18jI < olonial Soerrtary Commissioner M'Lcan Directing him to proceed to Tarnnaki to institute enquiry into Native affray.

LIST OF ENCLOSURES, &c.-continued.

No. Date. Name of Writer. To whom addressed. Subject. 27 20 Aug., 1854 Colonial Secretary Commissioner M'Lean On the subject of advance of £.'5000, to enable him to purchase land at Taranaki, if offered by hostile tribe to the friendly Natives. *28 19 „ ,, Commissionar M'Lean Colonial Secretary Reporting his arrival at Taranaki. 29 24 ,, „ Colonial Secretary Commissioner M'Lean Informing him that Sub-Treasurer lias been authorised to pay arrears of salaries to Native Assessors. *30 21 Nov. ,, Commissioner M'Lean Colonial Secretary Report upon affray at Taranaki. 31 23 Aug., ,, „ „ Ditto ditto. 32 7 June, 1855 Colonial Secretary Superintendent, N.T. Acknowledging receipt of his report on disturbance. 33 26 July, ,, „ „ Notifying that his Excellency had decided on detaching Troops to New Plymouth. *34 30 „ ,, ,, t , Notifying 300 men of all ranks would be sent for protection of Settlement. *35 15 Aug., 1854 „ „ Requesting him to urge upon the inhabitants the necessity of a strict neutrality. 3G 13 Sept., „ „ „ Notifying the receipt of the Resident Magistrate's report. 37 14 Nov. „ ,, „ Notifying that his application for Troops shall be laid before the Executive. *38 26 Dec., „ „ „ Approving of the steps taken by bis Honor, and stating that his Excellency is still of opinion that the introduction of Troops may be productive cf harm. *39 10 Feb., 1855 ,, Advising on measures to be taken for the safety of the Settlement. *10 24 Aug., 1854 „ Rev. H. H. Turton Conveying thanks of his Excellency for services during the affray. *41 19 Dec., „ Rev. Mr. Turton Colonial Secretary Acknowledging receipt of the foregoing letter. *42 22 „ „ Colonial Secretary Kev. H. H. Turton Expressing his Excellency's gratification at promise of continued services. *43 15 July, 1855 Rev. Mr. Turton llis Excellency Further report respecting Native disturbances. *14 10 April, „ Tamati Wiremu „ *45 21 „ „ Te Tahana Papawaka 46 13 May „ Arama Karaka „ 47 20 June, „ Te Waitere Katatore ,, 48 21 „ ,, Tamate Wiremu „ t1' " 1 e Tahana 1 ahawaka ,, Various Native Letters, giving their ideas of the disturbance, and the policy of Kuiopean 51 11 '.I Arama Karaka Aethers '' interference. 52 11 „ 53 16 „ „ Kireona „ 54 21 „ „ Hori Kingi „ 55 25 „ „ Wiremu Kingi Witi „ 56 3 Aug., „ „ „ J 57 Printed Paper, headed " Native Fends at Taranaki." 58 24 Aug., 1854 Colonial Secretary Sub-Treasurer, N. P. A uthorising payment of £3000 to Mr. McLean, if he require* it, for land purchase to allay tho excitement of the Natives.

LIST OF ENCLOSURES, &c-continued.

Date. Name of Writer. To whom addressed. Subject 69to61 2 & 4. June, 1855 1 1 is Excellency To Katatore and others Six letters to Native Ghieft of the Taranaki District on subieet nf d;«t.,ri , y ' " C0l ° mal ScCrCUU ' y Th0 * Requesting that a forec of not less than 250 men , m ; be despatched .0 New Plymouth. 07 s fe' " " Brigade Major Requesting to know if arms can be furnished for 200 men. g " " " » Reguesting that 200 stand of arms and 300 rounds of ammunition for each musket may be go forwarded to New Plymouth per Duke of Portland. ' - be ro " " Oftr. comnding. 58th Rt Requesting that Aliuie Rifles, &c., may bo naeked on lmni-,1 llnl-o r.r 70 'i 5 y * " Brigade Major Colonial Secretary Reporting that instruo.ions l.ad been given for military occupation of New Plymouth. 71 8 Aug., " " " n.'f W "™ is ' ln<l . ucc ( . are at the disposal of the. Colonial Government. - - - ta . OT ,„„ Dak „ i, j; •' 1854 Colonial Secretary Rsdnt. Magistrate, N.P Requesting information respecting alleged disturbance. 74 " » >. Requesting a special report on disturbance. 7 5 24 a C ' '' " " Acknowledging receipt of report. 76 21 n«' " " " Acknowledging receipt of letter detailing occurrence of a fatal conflict. 77 15 Jan 1855 " " Acknowledging receipt of letter reporting that Ilmia a Native Chief l.ad shot another Native. 7h i" Ann-' i»*i " o " n anSwer t0 better stating that cause of immediate alarm had passed away. g " 1854 " Superintendent, N.P. Cautioning him to urge upon the Europeans the propriety of not mixing themselves up with 7y i - tne JNative leua in any manner. {j 0 2 " " o . Commissioner McLean Requesting him to hold himself in readiness to proceed to Taranaki. „ Ksdnt. Magistrate, N.l Postmaster, N.P. Requesting to know cause of detention of a letter containing information of the nature of the 81 t> affray. 1 ostmaster, N.P. Resident Magistrate Informing him that he had no moans of communicating with the steamer Nelson on the ilav fi» mentioned. ' ' ol " » Harbour Master, W. „ Memorandum of circumstances respecting mail. 84 'In i.',' Resident Magistrate Colonial Secretary Reporting circumstances of detention of his letter at Taranaki. Jan., 18jj Colonial Secretary Resident Magistrate Reporting that Mr. Symonds had been directed to proceed to New 1 lymoutli. and put himself in or - r i „ ., . communication with the Superintendent of New Plomouth. si; 1 r " Resident Magistrate Private Secretary Reported disturbaneo of Wirimu Kingi. » 8 7 ,. " " » tt >, further disturbances. S o , . ' " » » » continuance of disturbances. jjij 22 ' " " Colonial Secretary „ Rawiri's death in an affray. <)0 n " " " » » that he had already forwarded despatch through Post Office. 91 , 8 " . '• '' . » » killing of a Maoii by Ihaia. *92 t™ I,'; „ .. >' » » difficulty of obtaining correct account from Natives. i7Jan., 1855 Native Secretary „ „ his proceeding to Taranaki.

LIST OF ENCLOSURES, &c.-continued.

No. Date. Name of Writer. To whom Addressed. Subject. *93 8 Jan., 1855 Native Secretary Colonial Secretary Extract from letter to his Excellency Col. Wynyard. 94 2fi Dec., 1854 Colonial Secretary Native Secretary Requesting him to hold himself in readiness to proceed to Taranaki. *95 7 Aug., „ Mr. G. S.,Cooper Resident Magistrate Report of cause of affray. *26 8 ,, ,, >, Commissioner McLean „ >> . *97 26 March, 1855 Colonial Secretary Captain Genneys Requesting him to procecd to Plymouth with II.M.S. i antome, to render assistance. *98 27 ,, ,, Captain Genneys Colonial Secretary Declining under circumstances to proceed to Taranaki. *80 30 ,, Colonial Secretary Captain Genneys Urging his request that he will proceed to New Plymouth. *100 12 ,, ,, J. J. Symonds Colonial Secretary Reporting his arrival at New Plymouth. *101 29 Nov., 1854 Inspector Halse Superintendent N. P. Reporting Rawiri being shot. *102 25 Dec ,, „ Reporting affray between Native tribes. *103 4 Aug' 1855 Superintendent N. P. Ilis Excellency Reporting on disturbance, and forwarding Resolutions of Public Meeting. *104 15 Jan., „ ,, „ Forwarding two Memorials from inhabitants. *105 26 Mav ,, Rsdnt. Magistrate, N.P Private Secretary Reporting master of an abstracted gun. *106 7 April ! Private Secretary Superintendent N.P. Reporting his Excellency's disposition to place troops at i cw Plymou i. *107 SO July „ I Colonial Secretary Rev. II. Turton Returning his Excellency's thanks for services during the disturbances.

ENCLOSURE TO MESSAGE No.. 43. MKJIOEtA\UI'H FOB THE KE§IDE\T MAGISTRATE.

The late lamentable affray amongst the Puketapu natives took its rise from a quarrel between Rawiri Waiana and Topia (one of Katatore's party) about the right to cultivate a piece of land near the Bell block. Rawiri had sown it with wheat; and Topia destroyed the seed, ploughed up the land, and planted it with potatoes. Upon this, Rawiri determined to sell the land contained within the block paid for by Mr. M'Lean in Wellington, in January, 1854, and excluded from the Hua purchase at Katatore's request and by Rawiti's advice. The boundary of the land to the eastward is formed by producing the eastern boundary of the Bell block in a straight line, till it reaches the boundary between Ngatiawa and Ngatiruanui at the base of Mount Egmont; the western boundary being the Mangaraka River followed up to its source from the spot where it is cut by the line. A piece of 300 acres inland of the Bell block is also included in this. I accepted Rawiri's offer conditionally on his undertaking to cut the eastern boundary line as far inland as the Waiongana river. This, he assured me, he had no hesitation in undertaking, in spite of Katatore's opposition, as he said his own rank, and his close connexion with Katatore and the majority of his people, would be a sufficient guarantee against any extreme uneasiness on their part. It was accordingly arranged, after two days' discussion, that the line should be commenced on Thursday, the 3rd instant, on which day I was to meet them on the ground, accompanied by a Purveyor. On that day, at 7 a.m., a party of twenty-six, under the direction of Rawiri, Paora. Taituha, Ihaku, and Te Retiu, went out without fire-arms to commence their work, and were met by Katatore's party, armed with guns and other weapons, at the spot called Tarurutangi, where the unhappy collision took place which has deprived the Puketapu tribe of the whole of the abovenamed chiefs, except Te Retiu, and left the Settlement to deplore the loss of the most useful of the Native Assessors, and the best and the staunchest friends of the Europeans within the l'mits of this Province. A detail of the occurrences of the 3rd instant, as also nominal lists of both parties engaged in the affray, showing the casualties on each side, are furnished by the enclosed documents, G. S. Cooper, . Sub Land Commissioner, Taranaki, August 7, 1854.

[A,] List of Men composing the Party to cut the Boundary Line, August 3rd, 1"854;— Taituha Te Ranikawiwiui, killed. Ihaka Te Kauri, ditto. Paora Houpunga, ditto, Hamahona Tauwhiro, ditto. Paora Te Hopi, mortally wounded. Rawiri Waiana, ditto. Piriki Wekanui, dangerously wounded. Pehumana, severely wounded. Hamiora Peke, ditto. Te Mauihera Marangai, ditto. Rawiri Koheta, slightly wounded. Hemi Poaka, ditto. Te Waipango, ditto Hohaia, dittoRingatahi, ditto. Raniera Topianga, ditto. Timotiu. Taituha Ngata. Te Retiu. Karena. Ihaia Potikitoa. Raihania Te Rangi. Te Arawaka. Puno. Te Hareana. Perereka Pitore (half-caste lad).

[B>] —Li 3l of Men composing the Party under Te Whaitere, to oppose the cutting of the Boundary Line :— Te Whaitere Katatore. Hairuha Rawiri Kariri. Pamangara. Penehamine. Te Poihipi. Pirika. Wiremu Tamihana, slightly wounded. Maka. Hamahona Tupiki. Topia, slightly wounded. lleperi. Taimana, slightly wounded. Te Hapimana Toheroa. Karaka. Honi Pumipi. Te Tahana (of Ngatitawake). IVlitai. Tamati Tohua. Te Teira. Meha Rangimatara. Te .Araroa. Purakau. Rangiheuea, >Iraia. Paramena Rarunga. Tamati Tamaiti. Horomona Turanga.

ENCLOSURE TO MESSAGE No. 54.

Land Purchase Office, Taranaki, August Bth, 1854. Sir, — It is my painful duty to report to you the occurrence of a fatal affray amongst the Natives of the Puketapu tribe, which took place on the 3rd instant, resulting in the death of Rawiri Waiana and four other chiefs, with other casualties, as per enclosed list. 2. The circumstances which led to this melancholy event are as follows : — In consequence of the destruction by Topia, one of Katatore's people of a field of wheat which had recently been sown by Rawiri on his own land, which he had cultivated for several years, the latter determined to offer for sale the block of land contained between the eastern boundary of the block conveyed by the Wellington deed of January last, and the Hua boundary as paid for here in ilarch, and which was excepted from the Hua purchase in consequence of Katatore's opposition, and by the advice of Rawiri himself. In making the offer, Rawiri was supported by his brother Paora, by Ihaka Kauri, Matui te Huia, Paora Houpunga, Taituha senior, Taituha Ngata, Tamati Waka te Haeana, and several other chiefs I accepted their offer, conditionally on the boundary line being cut, which Rawiri unhesitatingly undertook to do, relying upon his rank and relationship with the opposing party as sufficient guarantee against extreme measures on their part. After two days' consultation, it was determined that the survey should commence on Thursday, the 3rd instant, when I was to meet them on the ground, accompanied by a surveyor. •3. From information subsequently received, it appears that Rawiri's party, numbering twenty-six men, went out unarmed on the morning in question at 7 a m.; and on reaching a spot called Tarurutangi, found Katatore's party, to the number of twenty-eight armed men, awaiting their arrival, when the collision took place which led to such unhappy results. The enclosed documents supply all the details.* 4. Arrangements were made as quickly as possible to render such assistance to the wounded as circumstances would admit of Five men were conveyed to the hospital Paora's case being quite hopeless, nothing could be done for him, as he could not bear removal. Rawiri, unfortunately, could not be removed that day, the natives being ic too great a state of excitement to be of any service, and the majority of the settlers of the Bell block being afraid to render any assistance, in hi 3 last extremity, even to him to whom they owe their possessions, lest, by doing so, they should incur the displeasure of the opposite party. All,

r ■, Enclosure No. 1 — List A.

Enclosure No. I—■ List A. Enclosure 2— Sketch. Enclosure No. 1 — List B.

* Enclosure No. 3—Statement made by wounded men. Enclosure No. 4—Letter of Katatore to Resident Magistrate. Enclosure No. s—Resident 'vlagistrate's Reply, Enclosure No. 6—Letter of Katatore to the Offieer administering the Government.

ther e fo re , that could be done for him was to have a tent constructed over him permit! 16111 SUrg aid 38 tirae and circumstances would 5. The news of the encounter quickly spread amongst the natives and hv noon, an armed party of about seventy had collected from the Hua and Tairutu These men first visited the Kaipakopako, and fired a volley into the Pa after which they adjourned to (he scene of the encounter, where they interred' their dead, and encamped for the night. * lnterrea their 6. Ihe next morning (Friday) Paora expired at 7 a.m., and after his inter ment, Kawiri was conveyed in a litter to the hospital, where everything was done that medial s.nil could suggest for his relief, but without avail, and he expired at 1 33 a.m. on the 6th instant, having suffered considerable throughout. The lest or the wounded men are, 1 am happy to say, doing well. 7. The Rev Mr. Turton visited the Kaipakopako Pah on the sth instant rand um r6 t conference with Kaitatore is detailed in the enclosed memol 8. In consequence of the positive statement of Katatore that he would fire upon any party who should attempt to bury Riwiri's body with the others, Mr J urton and I endeavoured to pe suade the Hua and Tairutu natives to bury' him either with his father, Horoatua, or in the town. We, however, found them determined to carry out his last wishes by interring him by the side of his relatives. Accordingly, on the 7th instant, the body was taken from the hospital by a large party of natives, and carried to the Hua, where the funeral service was read by Mr- Turton, and the party then moved on to the cross roads in the Bell block near Te Uira, where they were met by the l airutu people, under Tamati Waka' who had i*lso been joined by a party under Karipa, who had that day withdrawn from Katatore's Pah. Thence the natives proceeded, in a body of about 120 to larurutangi, where, without molestation, they interred the body of their chie'f along with the other victims of the affray, firing a volley over the grave as a signal thai they had carried their determination into effect. Mr. Turton, who had proceeded in advance to the Kaipakopako, subsequently informed me that Katatore had given up the idea of opposing the interment of Kawiri, being, in fact completely daunted by the strength of the other party, and his fears for the result of affairs to himself perponally. !) It is impossible at present to say to what these occurrences may eventually lead, but whatever may be the ultimate result, I am happy to say that, hitherto, the Europeans are entirely free from any participation in them ;so strictly has the policy of non-interference been hitherto carried out, that although the Hua natives are known to be very indifferently armed, and almost destitute of ammunition, their application for assistance was steadily refused by the Magistrates. The whole of the Ngarr.otu natives (with the exception of Hone Ropiha te Kekeu and his adherents, who have joined with Puketnpu,) have determined to maintain a strict neutrality, unless their own safety or that of the settlers should be menaced. 10. With regard to the Puketapu natives, they are at present in a state of great excitement, and will, I have no doubt, take the first opportunity that may offer of wreaking their vengeance on Katavore's party. In this they appear to look for support from their relatives in Cook's Straits. They have placed a tapu on the Northern Road, excepting as regards Europeans or her Majesty's mails— their arrangements being that Tamati Waka shall stop all access to the town by the beach, while the Hua natives are to block up the passage by the Devon Road. 11. The Waiongana and Waitara natives are at present holding aloof, and, from ail I can learn, intend to continue to so, unless the quarrel be taken up by the Government, when they will regard the affair as a general land question. In this event, Katatore will be looked upon as the leader of the opposition, and he joined by all the tribes who are averse to the sale of land to the Europeans. 12 On referring to the memorandum which forms enclosure No. 7to this despatch, it will be seen that Katatore requested Mr. 1 urton to convey to nie an

Enclosure No. 7— Statement made by Katatore to the Rev. H. R. Turton.

•offer to sell to the Government the piece, containing about 300 acres, lying be. tween the inland boundary of the Bell block and the Mangoraka ri/er. Of this offer I have as yet taken no not ce, nor shall I do so until I am favoured with your instructions upon the point, as it appears to me intended merely as a peaceoffering, in the hope that its acceptance by the Government might be looked upon as an atonement for the blood he has shed. I have, &c., (Signed) G. S. Cooper, District Commissioner. Mr. Commissioner M'Lean, &c., &c.. See., Auckland.

See Sketch, enelo sure No. i.

ENCLOSURES TO MESSAGE No. 2. Taranaki, 19th August, 1854. My dear Sir, — ■ I arrived here on Sunday last, having been twice off Taranaki since we left Manukau, and obliged, from heavy weather, to put into Kawhia. 1 should have come overland from Kawia, but I found I could not get the Waikato Chief's (some of them unable to travel) to accompany me; and their presence here being most important, it I were to leave them to come by sea, the most of them would decline coming. Te Waru and Paroa, with some others, joined me at Kawia; and, together with the Rev. J. Whitely, we set sail for this place, and having to put back again those chiefs left me at Kawia, and the Rev. Mr. Whitely, with some influential chiefs on the Coast are coming overlaud. The delay has been productive of some good, the natives having agreed to postpone hostilities until my arrival here ; and the first burst of excitement having subsided, together with the apprehension of the intervention of the Waikatos, has induced some chiefs to take part with the friendly natives that were previously neutral • and some of those who agreed to join Katatore and his band, seem doubtful as to which side they will take ; but I still find that he has a very strong party, and both sides are making decided preparations for a fresh contest. I find that it requires more than ordinary prudence to act in the present emergency, as the followers of Rawiri Waiana look for aid to the Government for the loss they have sustained ; and the other party are collecting all the disaffected and reckless characters that they can enlist in their cause. Yesterday there was a large meeting of several tribes from Waitara and other places, preparatory to their dividing under their respective leaders. I deem it prudent to delay meeting either party for several days, when I propose to assemble the principal chiefs to discuss the subject with them ; in the mean time Mr. Turton keeps me fully advised of every proceeding, and the chiefs correspond with me, and you may assure his Excellency that I shall use every endeavour, if I cannot arrest further bloodshed among the natives themselves, to keep the Europeans and the Government free of any implication in whatever ma) take place. I remain, &c., (Signed) Donald M Lean. The Honorable The Colonial Secretary.

Land Commissioner's Office, g IR _ Auckland, August 23, 1854. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 10th ; •tant, instructing me to proceed at the earliest T purpose of instituting a special and minute enquiry into the late unfortunate affray between the natives in that Province. In obedience to those instructions, I have arranged to leave for Taranaki ™ Thursday first, and on my arrival there I shall use every endeavour, in conjunc tion with his Honor the Superintendent (who accompanies me) and the Resided Magistrate, to allay the excitement at present existing in that District. From all the reports that have reached me from New Pi v mouth I annre hend that an adjustment of such a serious and fatal collision will be attended with very considerable difficulties, and it appears to me that it would be essential to have an authority to take such steps, and incur such expenses, as the nresem emergency urgently demands. For instance—the natives who have lost their chief and five of their tribe while asserting their claim to a disputed tract of land, will certainly expect some' reparation, either bv taking the lives of the murderers, or by obtaining from them a final surrender of the land respecting which the difference that led to the aflrav arose. ' y I must state that it would be quite repugnant to my feelings to accept of any land, on the part of the Government, as an atonement for such a grave and serious offence as that committed by Katatore and his party on an unarmed and defenceless party of natives in asserting their claims to a portion of land they wished to cede to the Government; neither should I feel inclined to encourage or suggest such a mode of adjustment, unless it originates with the friendly natives themselves ; but sooner than allow them to seek revenge in their usual mode, which might lead to the destruction of the Taranaki Settlement, it might probably be adopted as a last resort. Should the aggressive party, therefore, offer to cede a tract of country to the friendly natives, and that they on their part agree to accept it, and afterwards transfer it to the Crown, there should be a sum of money at my disposal to offer them, of not less than three thousand pounds, which sum, or any part thereof, need not of course be expended, unless circumstances render it absolutely necessary as a means of preserving the peace of the country. I cannot conceal from the Government the very critical position of the Taranaki Settlement at the present juncture. The great number of the emancipated natives residing there, now removed from the control of the chiefs who conquered them, struggling to regain their former ascendancy and position as a tribe, who feel they have lost caste, and who are uniting in a general confederation against the alienation of their territory, respecting which there are continual disputes among themselves, and it is impossible to foresee where those disputes, after such a serious affray as that which has taken place, are to end. If, therefore, the cession by the offenders of a certain district of land is agreed to as a means of staying a war (the horrible results of which I fear to contemplate among a class of natives, like those at Taranaki,) it would be advisable that money should be immediately available for such an occurrence, were it only to be the means of arresting the destruction of the Settlement, and in order that the Government should not participate in any advantage resulting from the death of its faithful allies. The greater portion of the land ceded, excepting as much as would repay the outlay, might be hereafter re-conveyed to the surviving fiiends and relatives of those who met with such a melancholy and cruel fate. In every aspect in which the present state of the Taranaki case can be received, it is surrounded with peculiar difficulty and danger to the European inhabitants. For instance—if the friendly natives are not supported, or do not leceive some reparation for their loss, they may not only withdraw their allegiance, but may become our opponents if they cannot otherwise find satisfaction. The hostile natives, on the other hand, threaten to destroy the whole remant of the friendly natives, and then there would be no interposing barrier between them and the English, who are utterly defenceless; nor do I conceive that the intervention of troops, except as a strictly defensive garrison, would obviate the difficulty.

It is clear, therefore, that every effort must be used to conciliate and strengthen our friendly relations with those tribes who support us, and I trust that his Excellency will be pleased, uuder all the circumstances, to favour me with an authority for incurring such expenditure, and making such general arrangements for the preservation and peace of the Taranaki district, as the peculiar circumstances of the case may urge upon myself, his Honor the Superintendent, and the local authorities of that place to adopt, and such an authority becomes the more necessary lest any delay in making arrangements might be too late to obtain the object which it is earnestly desired may be accomplished. I have, &c., Donald M'Lean, Land Commissioner. The Honorable % The Colonial Secretary.

(Copy.) Land Commissioner's Office, Auckland, Ist Nov. 1855. Sir, — In the present unprotected state of the European inhabitants of Taranaki, and taking into consideration the unfortunate manner in which our faithful ally and native assessor " Rawiri Waiana" and six of his followers were killed, without any just provocation, by relatives and members of his own tribe. I beg to submit that the time has arrived when some steps should be taken, for the better security and defence of the inhabitants of that Province, as natives who would be guilty of destroying their own friends in such a cruel manner, could not be relied on for much forbearance towards the Europeans under any excitement or conflict that might arise hereafter among themselves. It seems very desirable, therefore, that not only as an act of humanity and justice towards the natives themselves, but as a protection to innocent Europeans, who may, notwithstanding the vigilance of the authorities, become inadvertently involved in those quarrels, that some precautionary measures should be adopted to restrain the natives from again committing such acts of violence as recently took place in the immediate vicinity of the English settlement. The limited resources of the New Plymouth Province, its distance and isolated position, the numerous native tribes that surround it, the constant accessions they are receiving to their numbers from different parts ol these islands, the consequent difficulty of acquiring land in sufficient quantities to introduce European settlers in greater numbers to equalise the races, the warlike character of the natives as compared with the peaceable industrious class of English agricultural settlers stationed there, the difficulty of placing troops there under any sudden emergency that might arise requiring their presence, the uselessness of having a smaller number of military than would over-awe and control the more turbulent tribes, are all subjects that have been so fully brought under the notice of the Government at different times that it appears unnecessary for me to dwell at any length upon them ; but I feel it is my duty, as the officer deputed to enquire into and report on the late disturbance, to bring under his Excellency's notice what I have already indicated verbally to his Honor the Superintendent, the local authorities, and some of the settlers at that place, viz.,—that, there are certain resources within the Province which, if judiciously applied, with the aid of, and under the sanction and co-operation of the General Government, might be adopted without creating much suspicion or alarm among the natives, and its

the means of restraining them from any future dangerous collisions, calculated not only to endanger the safety of the inhabitants, but to retard the peaceable and progressive improvement of a most interesting and otherwise very flourishing district. 6 The precautionary steps which I would take the liberty of suggesting are, Firstly,—The construction of a good Block-house and Stockade. Secondly,—The militia, which must number nearly 500 men, to be periodically called out and trained, as provided for by the " Militia Ordinance." Thirdly,—The augmentation of the police force, to be composed chiefly of intelligent active natives, selected from different tribes in the country, so that every reliance could be placed on their acting with impartiality ; and, 1 think it mav be safely assumed from the courage and fidelity with which the natives enrolled in such a force have acted during war times in the colony, that they might in any future emergency be safely relied upon, and they could be, when not required for their police duties, advantageously employed in opening up and constructing roads through the Province, or attending to such other public improvements as are much wanted. To the efficiency of such a force the utmost importance might be attached. Fourthly,—Two pieces of artillery and a good supply of small arms and amunition are much required, as there are none but old condemned ones at Taranaki; and it might be advisable to have besides those for the use of the militia, some arms to spare for such of the friendly natives as are destitute of them, with an understanding that such arms would only be given out in the event of being actually required for service, and to be afterwards given into the custody of the officer who may have charge of them. It may be apprehended that the natives might consider such preparations as indicating some hostile intention on the part of the Europeans, but the fact of their being informed that England is at war wiih a foreign power, and that their own conduct towards each other justifies the Europeans in being on their guard, would divest them of every suspicion of this nature, indeed many of them would willingly aid and co-operate in carrying out measures which they could not fail to perceive would be the means of preserving peace amongst themselves by giving them increased security of life and property, besides having the effect of enhancing their respect for British law and authority. It is not without some diffidence that I have taken upon myself to submit the foregoing measures for his Excellency's consideration, feeling, as I do, the extreme delicacy and difficulty of adopting effectual means for the security of a district situated as New Plymouth is, but I believe when taken into connexion with the steps now in progress for adjusting the land question at that place, and facilitating the acquisition of property by the chiefs in the English settlement, that the suggestions alluded to are the least expensive that could be adopted for ensuring any permanent degree of general peace and tranquility of that Province, I have, &c., Donald McLean, Land Commissioner, The Honorable The Colonial Secretary.

EXTRACT FROM A LETTER DATED TARANAKI, JANUARY Bth, 1855, TO HIS EXCELLENCY COLONEL WYNYARD.

The overland mail starts for Auckland to-day, and although, as I start tomorrow via Rangiawhia, I hope to arrive in Auckland about as soon as it, I nevertheless will give you these few lines to give you an account of the state of affairs here. On my arrival last Friday week, I found that the Ngatiruanui Natives had retired after having been repulsed by Ihaias's patty and had gone back to their homes without encroaching upon the settlement. This quarrel the Natives appear to consider settled as there has been an equal loss, but the first affair, which resulted in the cutting of a boundary line is not likely to be settled without fighting, as the Native residents within the settlement are determined to have revenge on Katatore for the death of Rawiri and the six others This untoward event has been brought about by the indescretion of Mr. G. Cooper in sending Rawiri out to cut the line of boundary which had been long in dispute, and which Katatore had long maintained his intention of holding. Katatore is in his pah, and states that he will not interfere with the settlers unless he is attacked. This cannot be done without bringing about a general war, disastrous to the settlement. His Pah is fortified, but beinu in the open could be taken with the aid of a 12 pounder or two. The friendly Natives so called (a rather turbulent set however) are most anxious that arms and ammunition should be given them in order to attack Katatore, and are also most anxious for soldiers, in order as they say to protect the settlers, but in reality to defend themselves if hard pressed. The only danger I apprehend is, if the fight is brought on our ground and any of the settlers interfere and get shot. The place is in a most defenceless state, and I may say its very weakness is its defence. There are few arms and few men who know how to use them, and if there was a general disturbance the settlement would be in an awkward perdicament. There is a good feeling however between the natives and Europeans, and if it had not been for the disastrous affair, I know of no part of New Zealand where a greater advance had been made by the natives. I have been told by a competent authority that the/ own as much property in carts, ploughs, horses, cattle and produce, as the Europeans. The number of each race are pretty nearly balanced. The settlers are crying out for soldiers, but if they are sent I should certainly not recommend less than 250 or 300 with two six pounders, and if possible two twelve pounders and a few artillery men. If a couple of good blockhouses could be made in Auckland it would t e an additional advantage, as it would be of the highest importance to infuse a salutary awe into the natives in the first instance. A small number would only excite their contempt and the natives here have no idea of our power and resources. There is a hill commarding the town which would make an admirable site for a blockhouse, in fact, as it is, it is a very good position having been scarped by the natives, it having been formerly one of their strongest pahs. There is a sad want here of some person to act in Mr. Cooper's place in any negotiations

tw! th v? T tl T and 3 PT on of would be of more use to the settler* but it i«o y r °? S ; , The nativesare Unifying their pahs in all directs no of°r r v!" new . c l uarrels and the y always maintain that they have no intention of hurting the settlers. \ large party were coming up from the Southward to assist the friendly natives but were turned back at Wanganui, so I do not think they will attack Katatore at present, but there will be no peace in the settlement until he is killed or a fugitive, or rather outside the settlement as his path is without our boundary, and unless the friendly natives bring the fight 'thin our boundary, I think they will not meddle with the whites. I intend to start on Tuesday overland by way of Kawhia and Rangiawhia and I shall proa ybe in Auckland about the 20th. The country around this is magnificent far superior to any part of New Zealand that I have seen, and capable of supporting a very large population ; but there is great difficulty in induing the natives to part with their lands, in fact through bad management this quarrel has assumed the aspect of a land quarrel; the settlers being arranged on one side i«nd the non-settlers on the other. The excitement amongst the natives is very great and I do not see how a fight can be avoided amongst themselves, but by prudence we can avoid mixing ourselves with it although by doing so we lay oui selves open to imputation of being afraid to avenge the death of a native who was killed in carrying out the wishes of our officers A war, however, with the natives would be the destruction of Taranaki as a settlement, and would turn it for a few years into a mere military post. (Signed) C. L. Nugent.

MEMORANDUM OF NAMES, PRINCIPAL NATIVES RESIDING NEAR TARANAKI.

Names. Remarks. Wiremu Kingi Strongly opposed to sale of land and generally called unfriendly, but was formerly an ally of the Government. Katatore The chief who killed the Native Assessor in August last,. ion account of disputed boundary. Thaiaia Formerly a Native Assessor, but the cause of the last disturbance, on account of his having killed a Native of the Ngatiruanui tribe. This man is hostile to Katatore and Wiremu Kingi and calls himself a friendly Native. Tamata Waka Puketapu Natives. Te Haena Supposed to be friendly to the Government, and thoroughly Karipa opposed to Katatore and W iremu Kingi Almost all these Te Waka Okorera men except Wiremu Kingi have been slaves, having been Rawira captured by the Waikato and N.a Fah Natives during Matin former wars, and afterwards released, through the influHone Wetere ence of the Missionaries. Having been formerly in slaTe f'orhipi very they are a more difficult people to deal with than Foharamu other tribes as they do not acknowledge any particular chief. Iharaia's people have lately perpetrated a gross insult on the bodies of two of the people killed in the last fight, by disinterring them and firing shots into the bodies, this will probably bring the Ngatiruanui against them. Wiremu Kingi has expressed his intention of remaining neutral unless attacked. Neither Katatore nor Wiremu Kingi profess themselves hostile to the Government, but deprecate the interference of theGovernment in the quarrel. The others, Iharaias, &c., on the other hand are loud in their calls for ammunition and to enable them to revenge themselves on the opposite party, and would gladly see the Government and the settlers implicated in the quairel. (signed) C. 1. Nugent. March 13th, 1855.

Memorandum. VVilliam King, of the Waitera, a chief of considerable influence never cenary otXtlCl "* taV ° r °' Governme » t --his character is comide.ed meruit T '\ one the Waiwakaiho, a principal assessor, a man of some note Delrl to h ot V6ry great ir,fllJenc "'' his disposition is friendly, but he apL„t is concerned 0 " 1 C ° nteSled matters Governiakana of the Hua, an Assessor, whom I consider a chief of ffronino- Jm portance, well disposed to Government. Raniera of the Hua a chief of whom I appears H *™> ™ billed, the general appears t, be that, in recommending him to be made a first clas; Assessor i , success,on to kawiri, Mr. McLean overbed his position but Utever tbe tha circumstances g,ves a claim to anv influence he possesses p ° fthe r Ua,tera , the injured husband, this man and his brother Ta sale of la.id'to'a S ° me C ° nS ' H der tion ; but h,VP felt dissatisfied about a t .° a P er8 ° n named Mnombe which Government refused to sanction for a , 1, p l r n v int ° rll ! at ' on a^ainst Sinombe, before the Resident Magistrate' for a bieach of the Native Land Purchase Ordinance Poharemn ofrho \fJ •bcTUX "iSd ° f n, ° Cl ' '"'"""l ° f " er J' fir " "> d "ependen-. eto.JJ inw2"?G™tr„"„r , ' S ' • ™ iSh,be mat ' e serviceable to the ■ a arnat ' Williams, of Tapiu, an Assessor, a very clever man nf JavoTor'V 617 metCenary ' hither '° not tho »ght disposed to take'an active part in he h J Gove ' n ™ ent > an opinion in which I concurred, and the line of conduct JL pU p U ? d n " g th , e late disturbance appears to have home out my views i '' a ' n ol the Waiwakaiho a man of some influence, very shrewd and 1 think quite alive to the fact that his own interests would he best Served 1 v 'JZtIPXgZZ? " ° UCh ,hOW " • lme " ,, y «'• F-e™ for hii gj r _ Auckland, January 27th, 1855. adminhll a rin^L h r nCr t0 r6P ° rt u' the information ° f his Excllency the officer nica ed on 97 f K °T Cr r'" 6 " 11, acco "lance with the instructions commute , -/cii ult. I proceeded to laranaki on that day per steamer Nelson. thin'rr n,,i. • at laranak i on the afternoon of the "/Bih ult., I found every. Lnul ffj °\S f V, . dent . , y an unseitled feeling amongst the native h- rirl/irif! f ° i, 16 r £°' n £ a ' ,o "t their occupa ions with arms in their /lands and from these commencing to put their Pahs in fighting order. assessor en!l ' r - v ' * f ° ur| d that the first affray, in which Rawiri the native IZ\ hepn tin l ," ie J nOSt res P ected na tives of the ruketapu tribe, and six others had been killed by katatore, and partly arose from Rawiri attempting to cut the boundary or a piece of land which he had offered for sale to Mr. G. Cooper, the ,a' . t mmissioner of the laranaki district. It appears that Katatore had long ago stated his intention of retaining th s land and had threatened to oppose any one who should offer to sell it; Rawiri, however, on account of some quarrel theboundary' F ° P ° g the land and was desired b y Mr - hooper to cut Rawiri proceeded accordingly with twenty-two others, on the morning of the , ot August last *nd had succeeded in cutting some part of the boundary line, when Katatore and party rushed down from his Pah, and after warning Kawiri w.ce wit lout effect to desist, fired and killed him and six others, four were severejy and four slightly wounded. 4.—Vv ith regaru to the second affray, it origins*"! in the following cause. I

hear a native assessor had reason to sucnprt that kio •*» i. i « adultery with a young man named Rimene beloneW faT th v 6 " guHty of residing between Cape Egmont and Waneanui and n • gat ' manuittri e. by the confession of RiLne, he had dTrfctedhhn^S fUrth6r prorf namd Hon, who immediately proceeded to wlipJ P Y - 3 youn S man liberate] y killed him by a shVinX^breasf' TrntaLTf been sent to the Ngatiruanui, they assembled on the 20th IW . amount of 380 armed men, and made an assault on IWsPah If M the Waitere river, about eleven miles from the Town nf V ui M , anuka ' on made an able defence, but being hard pressed some of *7v m ° Uth - Ihaia a diversion in his favor, and succeded in covering his retreat U to et a PU p'h be Mahoetaki, some miles nearer to the settlement On tl,; a ! named had six killed and five wounded the SZL.i fi [■ , °, CCaS ! on Illaia ' s P a "X 0„ a. the 'appiSt 3 Tu^'',, came to the determination of returning to their homes A fresh m» k X arose which for some time threatened to embroil the Puketanu however > of the district with the Neatiruanui It was tlx. , , other natives the latter to return homewards coastwise, through thTsettk'men^TT^ 10 this intention was however eventually abandoned and on thTTsth tl, l! /' party set off on their march homeward by the mountain road thru at the back of Mount Egmont, careful^ boundaries of the settlement, indeed so cautious were thev of ,Wf • i the settlers, that a considerable amount of property in good and m "vf 1 ingto an inhabitant of the town of New pLS, happened 7o £ inK house close to the pah of the Ihaia, was carefully and scrupulousy removed by the Ngatiruanui, before going into action. °y From all * can hei ";> * hls ' ast a ff a i r ma y be considered as settled as the oss has been pretty nearly balanced and Ihaia and his party have gone back to their Pah at Manuka but with regard to the first, I fear that further bloodshed may be expected and as unfortunately it has arisen about a land question Ka tatore will have all the sympathy of those who are opposed to the Lie of 'land lhe relations and friends of the deceased chief, Rawzri, who are principally re sident within the settlement, and who are called the friendly natives, as beint thet/peV'le 31-6 determined to have reven g e for the death of 6. — The interference of the Government is vehemently called for bv Rawiri's friends, who are the weaker party, and who are loud in their demands for arms and amunition and also for troops. On the contrary the opposite p .rtv are as anxious that the Government should not interfere in the matter at all 7—l (1 ° not think that any danger is to be apprehended to the Colonists and the setlement from these native disturbances, so long as the Government and Colonists abstain from interference. The natives of Kawiri's party would no doubt, try to involve the Government in the quarrel, but I think the other partv would be careful not to interfere with the settlement as by so doing they would throw a preponderance into the hands of their opponents, if the Government were compelled to interfere, independently of which, natives are very averse to giving the first cause of ruarrel, B.—The active and armed interference of the Government in these native quarrels would I fear be fatal to the prosperity of the settlement for some time to come as the outsettlers would be compelled to concentrate themselves in town tor the protection of their wives and families, and their properties in the mean time would go to ruin. The number of natives residing in the settlement may be estimated at 400 men able to bear arms, of whom from 150 to 200 may be called friendly natives. The natives in the neighbourhood may be estimated as follows 1 St.—Ngatiruanui 50 men, all able to be.r arms, 25 of whom might be de, pended upon. 2nd.—Taranaki natives 150, 50 of whom might be depended upon. 3rd.—Ngatiruanui 400, all of whom would probably join Katatore; added to this many disaffected natives living up the river W'hanganui would be likelv

to swell the ranks against us ; particularly as the natives appear to think the present affair a land question. A very inconsiderable minority of friendly natives might be found by absentees from the Southward, to the amount of about 200 men, through the influence of Arama Karaka, the Chief of Kapiti, and Waitaka of Wellington. The settlers able to bear arms are about 350, the greater part of whom are utterly unacquainted with the use of aims. The arms belonging to the Government in the settlement are— 33 Carbines with bayonets, (percussion.) 90 Muskets with bayonets, (.old flint,) 3 Rifles 8 Pistols (flints) 3 Swords 50 Pikes 3000 rounds of ball amunition 11. —The country about New Plymouth is very favorable for the desultory warfare of the natives, for with the exception of a strip of land from one to five miles in breadth, extending along the coast, the country is a dense forest intersected with numerous ravines. The nature of the country will be best understood from the accompanying plan. Except on this strip of land, the country is most unsuited for the operations of English troops against a hostile native foree, their Pahs, however, are on the open ground and could be easily taken with the aid of a gun or two. 12.— For the actual defence of the town of New Plymouth, and a mile or two of the neighbouring country from 250 to 300 men with acoupleof six-pounders would be sufficient, but when I state that this settlement extends along the coast for 20 miles and that some of the settlers have penetrated 8 miles into the forest it will be seen that a much larger force than Great Britain could spare for the whole Colony of New Zealand would be insufficient for the effectual protection of the settlement. In case of a collision between the troops and the nat:ves, I fear the prosperous agricultural settlement of Taranaki would dwindle down to a mere military post for a few years. 13—The presence of a Military force at New Plymouth might operate to prevent the natives residing in the immediate neighbourhood, from settling their quarrels accordin£ to native usage, and the Government might be able to apprehend and punish offenders, but I think in doing so, if the offender was an influential man, a collision might be expected, as the natives about New Plymouth having never come in contact with the troops, and confident in their own prowers and would perhaps be anxious to try their strength with the soldiers. In this way the maintenance of friendly relations between the colonists and natives •might be permitted. 14.—The training of the settlers would be looked upon, at the present time with an eye of suspicion by the natives, independently of which few of the settlers, except those residing in the town, could afford to be absent from their employment and leave their wives and families unprotected in the bush, to come a long distance to military training. 15.—As there are so very few arms in the settlement, a number sufficient for two or three hundred men might be necessary, provided there was a place for their safe custody which might be effected by having a stockade erected sufficient for the protection of the women and children in case of emergency. This stockade, efficiently built might be easily defended by the armed settlers against a numerous force. The erection of this stockade would not excite the jealousy of the natives, as it would be quite in accordance with their own customs. This stockade would be probably erected on Mount Eliot, near the ,beach. As it is, however, commanded by a hill named Mount Marsden, about 600 yards off the frame of a block house to hold about 30 men might be prepared, so as to be put up on Mount Marsden at a short notice. 16— As far as petty disputes are concerned, the natives, I believe, are in the habit of resorting to the resident magistrate's court, but in a blood feud, like that now in action, the natives have too recently emerged from a barbarous state to submit to a peaceful arbitrament, a difference vshich rouses all their savage passions.

district in T the nTw f aitl K d by . settin ff a part any laws. The sooner our laws are put in force " i- 6 malntait)a nce of native as the natives are so rapidly decreasing and ® " at ' VeS the better - a "d be able to enforce our laws, but at prefent we'must" S ' nereasin g- shall soon their custon.es, but I think an opc l Ac!<, l( nvled,™ml t t r f y fi r' qUieSe in SOme of of force efet >nd mfght M Uh„ in °" h ° A ™' have occurrf »><> "»« >» an inducement to unscrupulous persons to infrinl th f ° r arms has been settlers do not look on such suicidical acts of imlf ■ i i ', and 1 fear that the sufficient disapprobation. dividuals of their own body with A great number of good fire arms h„r) B i„„ . the passing of the ordinance, from the settler's a "i° the natives P" 01, to the way of sporting, and disposing of them to to th for their S uns are amply supplied with amumtion. ™' The natives 1 hedo nit "tfih'k b'e expldkmZT T% Bency than "'e present arises, I » thought necessary to send onel shoukf ?£°"* to but if i! than 250 be sent, and that in the first instance kToi l Ik' 3 ni , lmber - not les s aU points, considering that from the situation of Nw Pi u 7 s "PP hed in off from all communications with Auckland and Wpli" Tit may be cui two month a. -aucjciand and Wellington for six weeks or «tthfwj" Timl" &»!''' "Tr 4ucl1 "" 1 and gave me two men to carry my bao- K1) „ e he aUo nTdrllT marked civility himself. This man is supposed to be hostife 'to theT 016 T* . 6 river opposed to the sale of land, but 1 think a good deal f Ve,n " lent for his being buted to the fact of several men of inferior rank beinlr a J o *} be aUri ' his head. being appointed assessors over We stated that he would remain neutral during ~ i , fortifying his Pah as a shelter, he said, in case he was attacked V™ ■was one of our allies during the war in the Sonthpm ,lit- • i . S and has seen our power, and I think has verv little id a & a ! nst R an gilieata, manner towards the settlers, independent of whiVh h T" g '11.I 1 . a h(istile on the Waitera, would be very previous i'n clsl he t«!okTn a«ivT us, and would not risk his valuable property part a o ainst anv tril;rS e nat ' VeS - ab r NeW I ' l y moUth ' have made a greater advance than any tribe I have seen in the country, and I have been told by competehlautho itv :zI"L ShX, rdy sni """ e,h ** ,he » ™" ,d ™ k *"<*' m i 22 ~°, n tbe l lth 1 a ""ived at Mokau, where I saw the influential Chief akeiei of the Ngati Mamapoto tribe, he stated that he would not allow any of his young men to meddle in the disputes at Taranaki. He has lately sold a block of land to the Government, and is anxious for settlers, but I fear that Mokau is too isolated to tempt settlers for some time to come Here also there is some difference about land, and an influential chief has fapued the river, so that the natives are not allowed to catch fish t , „ 2 Ji~° n 15th I arrive d at Kawhia. Here is the usual division among t e natives, relative to the sale of land, some being opposed and some in favor of it; great caution therefore will have to be exercised in any purchase, in order to avoid exciting disturbances between tribes. , ft"?" l eavin ? Ka " hi a, I went inland to the Wa.ha and Raugiciowhia, about 5 miles from the head of Kawhia harbour. Ngatihikairo tribe have cot a good flour mill just finished, which seems tooccnpy the whole of their attention. The last instalment for this mill is still unpaid, and the natives request a loan oi £100 to enable them to pay the millwiight, proposing o repay the same from

their forthcoming crops, this I think it would be good policy to acceed to, as it would give| them a tie on the Government 25.—At Rangeawhai the improvement of the natives is very surprising and I understand the crops of wheat this year may be estimated at from sixty to serenty thousand bushels ; here they have also got a new mill just completed, this improvement iu the natives mainly may be attributed to the exertions of the Rev. Mr. Morgan. The greater part of the natives of this district were absent, some at Kawhia and some at Auckland, selling their produce 26.—0n my way down the W. ipa river, I saw the influential chief and firm friend of the Government, Te Kerri of the Ngati-mahuta at Wattapaka several of the influential chiefs were also present, they testified their allegiance to the Govemmentand expressed their desire to live under one law with the Europeans. 27.—0n the Waikato was qui e a busy scene from the number of canoes returning laden with goods from Auckland, in exchange for wheat and other produce. A state of things very different from when I passed down the river nine years ago. The amount of property the natives are acquiring in mills and agriculral implements and produce will naturally unite their interest more closely to the Europeans and make them less likely to court a collision. 28• I regret to say that there are evident signs of a decrease in population, the great disproportion between the sexes, and the few children in the villages, and from careful enquiries which I have made, I am borne out in saying that the native population has been decimated by the measles last year. I have, &c., (Signed) C. L. Nugent. „ . Native Secretary. The Honorable The Colonial Secretary.

Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, 26th March, 1855. Sir, — I beg to forward you the enclosed copy of a letter just received by the overland mail from the Native Secretary, at New Plymouth, where he was lately sent for the purpose of endavouring to put a stop to a sanguinary war that has been carried on between the native tribes for some time in that locality, and to which place also His Excellency the Officer administering the Government proceeded in H. M. 6. '• Pandoia,' on the 14th instant, for the accomplishment of the same object. I have the honour also, to inform you that having submitted this letter of the Native Secretary to the other members of the Executive Council, they h*ve concurred with me in the opinion that as there exists considerable danger to the settlement of New Plymouth, and as the settlers there, through the local authorities have urgently called upon the Government for aid to defend themselves, that you should be requested to proceed as soon as possible to New Plymouth, wiih the ship under your command, to render whatever assistance may be in your power and become necessary, and also that you should be further requested, provided your other arrangements will permit, not to leave the colony without communicating direct with the Officer Administering the Government. I have, &c., (Signed) Andrew Sinclair, . Colonial Secietarv. Captain Gennys, Her Majesty's Brig, "Fantome."

Her Majesty's Brig " Fantome,' At Auckland, New Zealand, 27th March, 1855. Sir,— ].—I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of yesterdays' date, enclosing the copy of a letter from the Native Secretary at New Plymouth. 2.—With sincere desire on my part to render every possible assistance to the Government and Settlers in New Zealand, I think it will be necessary to await the arrival of the " William Denny" steamer, daily expected, with the mails from Sydney and Europe, and by whicli vessel I expect instructions from the Senior Naval Officer on this Station. In the present critical state of affairs, both in Europe and the Australian colonies, I cannot overlook the probability of important intelligence. 3.—The Officer administering the Government of New Zealand having sailed for New Plymouth from Auckland, two days after the date of the Native Secretary's letter jin Her Majesty's Surveying Vessel]" Pandora," Commander Drury, will have been on the spot to render any assistance urgently required. 4—l purpose going into Bon Accord Harbour, Kawau, to-morrow, to fill up with water, where I will await the arrival of the mail per " William Denny," and any further communications you may have to send by the steamer " Wonga-won» ga" on Friday next, I have, &c., (Signed) J. H. Gennys. Commander The Honourable the Colonial Secretary. Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, 30th March, 1855. ' With reference to the subject of my letter to you on the 26th instant, and to your reply on the following day, I have the honour to inform you that information has been just received by the steamer " Nelson," From His Excellency the Officer administering the Government, at New Plymouth, confirming the opinions expressed by me in my letter to you, and I beg leave again, on behalf of the New Zealand Government to request you will be good enough to proceed to New Plymouth without delay, and that you will not leave this Colony before you av communicated direct with His Excellency, who is now there. I have, &c., fSiwnpdl Andrew Sinclair, 8 ; Colonial Secretary. Captain Genny's, "R. N., H. M. B. " Fantome," (This letter reached Kawaw after Captain Gennys had sailed.) C/

New Plymouth, March 12th, 1855. SlR ' I have the honour to report, for the information of His Ex "!|® the cer administering the Government, that I arrived here on tie 1 1 , , .1 I found great excitement pervading all classes of Europeans caused by the promulgation of your Despatch to His Honour the Supenntendent of he lOth ultimo, which was increased when it became known that I haJ beep ent t naki to endeavour to settle native feuds, which Messrs. McLean, Wh.tely, and Turton had failed to arrange under more favodrable circumstances, i. e„ b the affair oflhaia had occurred.

It would have tended much to restore the confidence of the settlers if arms and ammunition, with persons qualified to take charge of them, had been sent, which step had been previously impressed upon the Government as necessary, and was proposed to His Excellency by myself. Had this been done, I should have been placed in a position to render some service to the settlement; as it is. however, I am looked upon with suspicion by both Europeans and Natives, and my means of carrying out His Excellency's instructions are much cramped, from the want of cordial co-operation on the part of the Provincial authorities. I have been informed that the Ngatiruanui tribe was again on their way to attack Ihaia, to avenge some fancied insult offeredto their dead. Should they arrive, and succeed in their attack, the defeated party are very likely to fall back upon the to.wn, where a pah is situated ; in which case the consequences are likely to prove disastrous to the settlers, as they are but scantily provided with arms, the ninety flint muskets mentioned by Major Nugent being barely serviceable, and as they have no place of refuge for their families in case of need, I therefore consider that a stockade and blockhouse should, as soon as possible, be erected on Mount Marsden, and two twelve-pounders placed there, which would secure the church, a stone building capable of holding from 150 to 200 people, and would command Mount Elliott, where it would be advisable to place another blockhouse, to protect the boats and landing-place. I conceive that the suspicions of the natives would not be aroused by these proceedings, as they are re-building their pahs on a much larger scale, than formerly, and more than sufficient for their own purposes, from which I infer that they expect reinforcements. This work should be promptly performed, and I feel assured that the settlers will render every assistannce in their power. A case occurred previous to my arrival, which proves how easily a collision might take place. Some European children stole some peaches, the property of the natives. The theft haying been discovered, and the parties traced to their father's house, twelve armed men of the friendly natives appeared at the door, and demanded " utu." The settler was not at home, when they insisted upon having his gun, which his terrified wife gave up to them. As yet it has not been recovered; but I shall use every endeavour to induce them to give it up. By the next mail I shall be able to give a full account of the state of the natives of the district; at present I do not apprehend any serious disturbances. I have, &c., (Signed) John Jermyn Symonds, Lieut, and Staff" Officer. The Honourable the Colonial Secretary.

Superintendent's Office, New Plymouth, 4th December, 1854. Sir,— 1 have the honour to enclose for the information of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government a copy of a report from the Sub-Inspector of Police, on a murder that has recently taken place at Waitera, by a Native Assessor. I regret to state that since the native affray in the Pukutapu tribe, the natives generally are manifesting an inclination to return to their own customs, and to disregard European laws, on the ground that the latter are not strong enough to redress their wrongs. This state of feeling, I need hardly observe, is calculated

to derange the social state of the native race to an alarming degree, and to an extent that will not, I fear, be long confined to the native tribes in this Province. I have, &c., (Signed) Chahles Brown, The Honourable the Colonial Secretary, Superintendent. Auckland.

_ Ne w Plymouth, November 29th, 1854. I have the honour to acquaint you that the Native of this district named Rawiri was shot at the Manaku, on Sunday evening last, by Ihaia te Kiri-Kumera Native Assessor, under the following circunistanccs : It appears that Rawiri was discovered by four natives in the night of the u I i" stant ' w * l!l Maraita Iritawa, wife of Ihaia, Ihaia was informed of this on the following Sunday and at once questioned his wife upon the subject, who admitted the charge, and added that the adultery was of long standing Upon this Ihaia proceed with ten followers to the house of Paturoi, a chief of the Manaku where Rawiri was staying, and demanded that he should be given up. Paturoi Refused, but upon being pressed, consented to conduct Rawiri to Ihaia's house. Ihaia then left, and was shortly after informed by Enoka, brother to Wiremu Kingi that Rawiri was approaching, and had admitted his guilt. Ihaia replied that Rawiri should die, and with his ten followers immediately armed and an the arrival of Paturoi and his party Ihaia discharged the contents of one barrel of his piece into the air, and the other into the ground, as a signal for mischief, re-loaded, went up to Rawiri, who was placed apart from the others when the sun had been fired, and shot him dead upon the spot. Ihaia and his people left and returned to his house. On the following morning, bodies of Natives from the Tamiua, Huirangi and the Werohia went to the Manaku, and after discharging their guns over Ihaia's house dispersed to their villages. This, in the opinion of the natives, terminates the affair, I have, See., (Signed) H. Halse, Sub-Inspector of Police. His Honour the Superintendent, &c., &c., &c.

Superintendent's Office, New Plymouth, 19th December, 1854. Si a, — I have the honour to communicate, for the information of His Excellency, that 300 Natives of the Ngatiruinui tribes have arrived at the Waitera with the avowed intention of enquiring into, and, if necessary, avenging the death of Rawiri by Ihaia, the native Assessor at the Manaku, detailed at length in the Report of Mr. H. Halse, Sub-Inspector of Police, in my letter noted in the margin. The Ngatiruinui natives have avoided passing through the Settlement and have intimated that they have no wish to annoy or involve the Europeans, still as many sources of difficulty arise from the impossibility of making the European population respect "tapus," and other customs arising out of native feuds, and the natives themselves State that they have recourse to their own customs in consequence of European law not being enforced, I beg to suggest lor the approval of His Excellency that that the Grey, and Bell, and Omata Districts in the Province of New Plymouth, excepting those portions in which the native title is extinguished, be set apart as districts in which native laws, customs, and usages shall be observed, under plause 71 of the Constitution Act, I anticipate the result will be to relieve the

General and Provincial Governments of a great deal of anxiety and responsibility in matters that cannot be controlled under existing circumstances, and the consequences of which it is not easy to foresee in the present anomalous position of the authorities administering the laws, which theoretically apply to the whole Province, and which they are daily called upon to ignore. I have, &c., (Signed) Charles Brown, Superintendent. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Auckland.

Superintendent's Office, New Plymouth. 21 st December, 1854. Sir, — Adverting to my letter of the 19th instant, relative to the arrival of 300 natives of the Ngatiruanui tribes, to enquire into, and, if necessary, avenge the death of Rawiri, by Ihaia, 1 have the honour to state that Ihaia's Pah was stormed yesterday, by the tribes above mentioned, who had received further reinforcements. After a contest, in which many more were killed and wounded, a portion of the pah was carried. Before the remainder of the pah could be taken a diversion was effected by the arrival of a body of Puketepu native, friendly to Ihaia, and assisted the escape of himself and forty followers to a pah at Waingana, The latest information now is that the Ngatiranui natives will take measures to renew the attack on Ihaia, and the natives who have since joined them. I enclose a notice, which I have felt it necessary to issue, in consequence of one European having been shot through the hat, who imprudently remained after the fighting had began, and, because I find it difficult to restrain Europeans from going to the scene of native disturbances. I have, &c., Charles Brown, Superintendent. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Auckland.

Superintendent's Office, New Plymouth, 26th December, 1854, Si*, — I have the honor to enclose for the information of His Excellency a report from the Sub-Inspector of the Armed Police, on the recent attack of Ihaia's Pah, at the Manaka, by the Ngatiruanui natives. My letter of the 22nd inst., on the same subject would have left by the " Nelson " steamer, but that she unexpectedly left before the boat's crew could recover from an accidental capsize of the boat. I visited both parties of natives on the 24th inst., with Dr. Wilson, Colonial Surgeon, and the Sub-Inspector of Police, Mr. Halse. The best feeling was shown on both sides towards the Europeans and authorities of the Province. The Ngatiiuanui natives led me to expect that they would leave yesterday for the South, by the same path from coast to coast, inland of Mount Egmont, that they came, and I am happy to state that they left yesterday. I shall shortly do myself the honor of sending His Excellency a comprehensive report on the state of the native population in the Province, in their relation to one another, and to the Europeans. I have, &c., (Signed) Charles Brown, Superintendent. Ihe Honorable The Colonial Secretary, Auckland.

New Plymouth, 23rd December, 1854. SIB, — hM.ded"by Tanmi tl Oranoka n^ fl™ ° f natives, headed by Ihaia te Kerekumfra,Slht^kt Manaku 20th inst., and resulted in 12 killed and 14 wounded W f tera on the The occasion of this fatal event was the killino- 'nf T? • • e ? c " se ' to your honor on the 29th ultimo. Rawiri, which I reported and inquire into Rawiri's death. Ihaia redicting the probabTe rSof such' has lost no time m erecting and fortifying a Pah at Manaku. a VIS " • i j i i a lvls * on of about 300 armed men arrived at k inland path where they remained several days, until reinforced when the/nrn ceed in number about 400 to Ihaia's Pah on the 20th instant. ' y P °" Un their approaching the Pah, a messenger was detatched to dpmnn/i fi, surrender of Ihaia in satisfaction for Rawrrif this requesfwas rSused M m ,f,h P3B " S ''.If 5 ? 7 3 shot frora the Pah which killed Pairama of Nsratiru of one kh 3 " A " dVanCed ' and I°™ h^ d f 'S htin S' S ot Passion " , ,u OI ule ran - A messenger was sent to apnrise the , c Ihaia s dangerous position, when they decided upon at once attempting his rpf'pf m which they succeeded. Raniera khan andVr chTefs atffhld oa natives surprised the Ngatiruanuis by an attack in their rear, and brought awav the to a secure pah i I have accompanied y our honor during your visits to thp mtiVo» n f 1 »i. parties and am happy to gear testimony tofhl good feelings they expre toward your honor, and the European inhabitants of this Provinci. 7 P n ' S • rh ® r !f lllen i, " ati^ es ar e very excited and are throwing up fortifications at various Pahs They declare that the spreading evil has its origin in Rawiri' unredressed death, and that the Europeans who imagine they are not concerned in this struggle, are laboring under a false security. Ihe customary appeal was made for a supply of arms and amunition as well as for a military force for the protection of the Europeans. They added that as regarded themselves they must meet events to the best of their resources' J [ J? a . ve further the honor to report that the Ngatiruanuis have advanced to the Kaipakopako, the fortified pah of Katatore, outside the Bell Block Their object m doing so has not transpired. The resident natives have also removed Ihaia to the fortifiedpah.at Mangati, on the Bell Block, where he purposes remaining whilst the Ngatiruanui's continue at Katatore's pah. I should add that a strong feeling is manifested by Ihaia and the other natives against Wire my Kmgi, of Waitera, for having as they say by letter, induced the Ngatiruanuis to come down to Ihaia, to whom he is opposed on the land question, Ihaia being in favor of a sale of Waitera to the Government. Wiremu Kingi and his people remained quiet spectators during the fight. I have &c., (Signed) H. Haj.se, Sub-Inspector. His Honor The Superintendent, New Plymouth.

Superintendents Office, New Plymouth, g IR January Bth, 1855on the r^lr^ e9teC U n ri l6 des P a . tcll oftlK: Colonial Secretary to give my opinion noses th ? I 0'" Commissioner McLean transmitted therewith, which proFurL • Tu- a mear!S ° f .defence should be adopted for the security of the nts an , friendly natives in the province. I agree with Mr. bvrer"ri° l f he existing for protection, a necessity, strengthened throuo-hnnf S w . lc h s h°w a general lawlessness in the native population that the S P rovlnce " ut I must beg to differ from Mr. McLean's opinion Z l meaBl,re ' by himself are within the limited resources of Dedipnt . Nor . Can f that thos .e measures are adequate, or even exfs now placed' 6 lmrnin dangerous position in which the European population deterllin a H anlfe f t^ nd im ™ ediatp source of danger lies, I consider, in the avowed drS™fhS T \ Pa ' t;y in thC pr6Sent feuds t0 seek their safetv by of thf Pm •lr qua^ el - whatever sha P e 11 may assume, into the settled portions quarrel noX r- - 1 P - 1S in faCt at the raerc y ° f "ther party in the native lessness wenn g- Ris impossible too strongly to state its absolute defencemiliHa SUCh circu ™ stance , s 1 can see no safet y rather danger, in calling out as a an un . w . arllkeand unwilling population, which at the eleventh hour must to warfare g Under the e ? es of jealous tribes, fully armed and accustomed . J.* 1 ® em P ] oyment of a native protective force is an experiment which it is t of the question to try in an emergency like the present. • , Concurr,n g' therefore, in Mr. McLean's opinions of the danger, butconsiderg nis opinions as to defence, impracticable, I have to express to your Excellency necessary 101 ' 0 " ' the P resence of a bod y of troops has become absolutely In this opinion I am supported by the Provincial Council as will appear by the enclosed resolutions of that body. 1 , have also the honor to enclose a memorial in the same sense from the inhabitants of the place. reference to your Excellency's inquiry whether the Provincial Government is prepared with the funds necessary for the military occupation of the province, I beg to refer your Excellency to the above mentioned resolutious and to state that I am prepared, if necessary, to recommend to the Provincial Council the requisite enactment for giving effect to its resolutions. At the same time I snail teel it my duty to urge the claims of the Province in justice and equity, to e relieved from any charge on its resources in the present emergency. I have &c., (Signed) Charles Brown, His Excellency, Superintendent. Colonel Wynyard. C.B. The Officer Administering the Government.

extract from the minutes of the proceedings of the PROVINCIAL COUNCIL OF NEW PLYMOUTH. Thursday the 4th Day of January, 1855. Moved by Mr. Blaschke, Seconded by Mr. Rundle. L—That tlie location of a body of troops in this province during the present feuds amongst the neighbourhbouring native tribes is, in the opinion of this

ance ofthe of the settlers ; and the maintainSuperintendent, with arequesulSt' he wintr' 0 " f ° r,Varded to his Honor, the the officer administering the Government. ran Smite Same 10 his Excellency, Ayes - Noes; W. Blaschke R. Parris *jt- K. Uu rton R. Chilman G. Cutfield P. Elliot R, Rundle For the Motion g A S ain st Majority for Motion 5 S. Vickers did not vote.

Moved by R. Chilman Seconded by W. Blaschke, Secret.,, .ddnLdto hi H*™" 8 "X^ie^C^T'' or. B,. ck H„ t .4* j sssrisasa,"; £*■ erec,io " shall be record ffi", C °°"» ™» W. -i « »hkh Province with payment for the next"en vews nf a avenue of the one thousand pounds (£1000) for a £S«SS (400)^ ESSrZ'SXtf ™" for 'he prevento!n of a quite U " P ««de»tod P ' " Ch ' Ch "« e ° P ™ * P*" imW di «"« being the nrarol.rGuaranJr'.hi °r "* ""P."""*. b y ' he Gener.l Government of General Asemblv *» IT P 2 g « ItSdf t0 Submlt the case t0 the 10 H '"" a——* «"■ *™» » Ayes. Noes. W. Blaschke R- Parris G. R- Burton R. Chilman G. Cutfield P. Elliot R. Rundle For the Motion Against Majority for the motion 5 S- Vickers did not vote. True Extract, (Signed) C. W. Richmond, Clerk of the Council

Superintendents Office, New Plymouth. ]Sth May, 1855. Sir, — Referring to that portion of my letter of the Bth instant, noted in the margin, in which I stated that the Ngatiruanui natives were coming on a peaceful visit to the European settlement, and had abandoned their march by the inland road in Waitera, I have the honor to state for the information of your Excellency, that with a view to obviate the threatened oposition of Rawiri's parly, accompanied by the Inspector of Police, I visited Arama Karaka and Rawiri's party at the Pah they have recently erected at the Ninia, about halfway between the pah formerly occupied by them, which will be abandoned, and the Kaipakop iko, thus taking a position clear of European limits, clear of Manawahue which was objected to as a site by Wiremu Kingi, and still sufficiently in advance to satisfy Arama Karaka's native feeling of honor, that he was bound to make good by possession, his claim to the land for which Rawiri fell. This object having been accomplished without interference by Katatore, all the natives were in high good humour, and unanimously, agreed with me that the Ngatiruanui coming by the beach road to trade, should not be interfered with, the more especially as Arama Karaka having nothing further to detain him would shortly have to pass through the very tribe on his return to Wellington, an intention was likewise stated of shortly sending a messenger by the war path to the Eastward of Mount Egmont to seek peace, and Pahana was despatched at once, at his own request, to inform Manatu and his brothers that their warnings to the Ngatiruanui to retrace their steps, would not be supported. The Ngatiruanui arrived at the Patoko, Thomas Williams's pah on the 10th instant, and after half-aday's debate with them, Tamati Wirimu and myself succeeded in inducing the majority to leave their arms at the Totoko and proceed into town on the following morning With their pigs, cattle, &c., at the same time they stated that the presence of troops would afford them every requisite sense of security. By agreement, Tamati Wiremu and myself accompanied them, and also many Taranaki natives of influence, unarmed, to carry out our guarantee of their safety, the result was highly satisfactory, and prepares the way for the prevention of armed bodies of natives traversing the settlement. I regret to state that the above cheering prospect of a peaceful and early solution of difficulties, is likely to be speedily changed, the course adopted by Katatore (Wetere) it was given out and generally believed that Katatore had not attacked Arama Karaka in deference to your Excellency's wishes that he should not adopt any offensive measures; it seemes however that he has applied to the Ngatiruanui by the inland road to come to his assistance, his messenger was seen at Kete Marai, 70 miles south, by a native and a European policeman, who came in the day before yesterday, and was informed the call would be responded to. This will give rise to ail the threatened complications of counter interference by Taupo, Whauganui and Ngatiruanui tribes. The main paint that Tamati Wiremu and myself will direct our efforts to, will be to prevent the armed Ngatiruanui trading party from joining the war party by traversing the settlement; I feel on this question that native respect for the European territory in these t'euds, greatly depends on no armed tribes traversing it. It is a cause for great regret that Katatore should show such a determination to have what may be termed the " first and last words'' in a matter which calls for his forbearance, and in which the other natives seem to be gradually influenced by your Excellency's views, and the impression that troops will shortly be placed here. I enclose, for your Excellency's information, copies of a letter from Arama Karaka and his friends, to Tamsti Prokawa, chief of one of the sections of Ngatirnanui, and leading chief over the whole. The object was to smooth down asperities and ill feeling; it is I believe correct in its statements, very temoerate and well written, They order it to be

« f be circu,ated such a step them, eCklng peace throu S h f ear, with a tribe in arms against I have, &c., (Signed) Charles Bhown, His Excellency Superintendent. Colonel R. H. Wynyard, C.B, 'Ihe Officer administering the Government.

Sj H Auckland, 4th August 1855. I have (he honor to stale for the information of your Excellency, that in the critical state of the Province of New Plymouth, arising from the circumstances presently detailed, 1 have felt it my duty to come to Auckland to make my representations on the subject, that the existence of New I'lymonth might not depend on the slow and uncertain communication subsisting between New Plymouth and Auckland. 6 I.—Katatore has received a reinforcement from Ngatiruanui, led bv a chief who in 1851 invited Katatore to join him in cutting down the flag staff in New Plymouth, a proposition then refused by Katatore, I would here draw the attention of your Excellency to the fact that the assistance Katatore then refused to give on the ground that the proposed step would involve bloodshed, he now has sought unconditionally from the chief referred to. 2.—Arama Karaka and his followers, who are in a fortification between the former and the Europeans, have but few charges of powder left; say their fate is sealed when their fortication is stormed, and that those who escape, must fall back on the Europeans, 3.—The Europeans are sparely supplied with fire arms, and the quantity of powder they possess is insufficient for their defence, until assistance could be afforded, in the event of the Europeans being involved. The enclosure, noted in the margin, shews a step I felt it necessary to adopt before thejopportunity presented itself of leaving New Plymonth to see your Excellency. 4.—Your Excellency's intimate knowledge of the existing difficulties on your personal investigation of tliem, renders it unnecessary that I should dwell at length on the increased danger to the lives of the settelers and the existence of the settlement resulting from the course events are taking, and on the progress of which in the interval that must elapse before a force can reach New Plymouth, now rests its fate. 5.—1 have the honor further to enclose resolutions adopted at a public meeting held two days before my departure from New Plymouth, which will acquaint your Excellency with the strong sense felt by the settlers of the danger of their position. I have, &c., (Signed) Charles Bhown, Superintendent of the Province of New Plymouth.

RESOLUTIONS PASSED AT A PUBLIC MEETING OF THE INHABITANTS OF NEW PLYMOUTH, HELD ON WEDNESDAY THE 25th JULY, 1855, AT THE FREEMASONS HALL IN THE TOWN HALL OF NEW PLYMOTHUH. F. U. Gledhill, Esq., Chairman. L—That this meeting views, with great approbation, the steps taken by his Honor the Superintendent in proceeding to Auckland, to represent to the Officer Administering the Government, the critical position of the settlement. Proposed by Mr. Redhead, Seconded by Mr. W. A. Aikinson, 2. —That in the extreme danger menacing this Settlement, from the •presence of an overpowering force of Natives, secretly known to be hostile to British Government, and who on a former occasion were only deterred from an attack upon us by Katatore's refusal to join them; this meeting on behalf of the settlement, makes a last appeal to his Excellency the officer administering the Government, imploring him to extend to the settlement the military protection which in honor and justice he is bound to afford. Proposed by Mr. W. Bayley, Seconded by Mr. Alexander King, 3—That this meeting records its opinion that in neglecting the appeal now made, hi® Excellency will incur the sole responsibility for a catastrophe which appears by no means improbable. Proposed by Mr, Alexander King, Seconded by Mr. L. Nash, 4.—That the Chairman do present a copy of these resolutions to his Honor the Superintendent, with a request that he will communicate the same to his Excellency, Proposed by Mr. H. A. Atkinson, Seconded by Dr. St. George, (Signed) F. U. Gledhjll/, Chairman.

Superintendents Office, New Plymouth, January 15th, 1855. Sir, I have the honor to transmit a memorial received by me this day, and to recommend the same to the favorable consideration of your Excellency, I have, &c., (Signed) Charles Brown, Superintendent. His Excellency Colonel Wynyard, C.B. The Officer administering the Government of New Zealand.

To His Excellency New Plymouth, January 6, 1855. The Officer administering The Government of New Zealand. May it please your Excellency, inl,abita,,t! of lhe p ">™» °r „..i k,ely ihe —»' I hat a large armed force is reported to have left, Wellino-fnn fx,of avenging the murder of Rawiri Waiana and those and that there is every probability of a sanguinary encountertokinrpkce in he immediate vicinity of the Bell Block, whereby the lives and nronrnv of thl settlers in that district will be endangered That so long as the native quarrels were confined to those tribes with whom the settlers have hitherto lived in unterrupted friendly relation, your memorialists were under no apprehension of becoming involved therein, but since distant tribes have made this province the scene of warfare, your memorialists have no sufficient guarantee that life and property will be respected by them. That very recently a considerable armed body of southern natives attacked some of our friendly natives residing at Waitara and although repulsed with sovere loss they will most probably return with large reinforcements and seek revenge. That in such case they will be joined by all the disaffected natives and those opposed to the sale of land and will greatly outnumber the well disposed tribes. That the friendly natives will, in the event of an attack being made upon them, retreat on the town for protection, when, if pursued, the loss of life will be fearful to contemplate. That in the absence of any organised force, proper arms and amunition, or any safe place of refuge to which the women and children might retire, should any sudden attack be made by the natives, your memorialists are reluctantly induced to solicit military protection and earnestly desire to impress upon your Excellency that prompt and energetic measures will not only avert much bloodshed amongst the natives, but likewise to prove to them that her Majesty's subjects, however isolated, will be efficiently protected in the hour of danger. And your memorialists will ever pray, &c., &c. (Signed) G. T. B. Kingdom Henry Gorett H. Halse and 49 other signatures.

To His Excellency Colonel Robert Henry Wynyard, C. 8., Officer Administering ther Governmnet, and Commander in Chief of the Island of New Zealand, &c., &c. The humble memorial of the undersigned inhabitants of the settlement of New Plymouth, in the province of New Plymouth, Sheweth That your memoralists view with the greatest alarm the lawless condition of the native inhabitants of this province since the slaughter of Rawiri and his followers, by Katatore, That the natives are well armed and amply supplied with powder and ball and they greatly outnumber the white population, and that in many recent instances they have shown an utter disregard for the British authority.

That although the local authorities have constantly represented to the natives that the white population cannot take part in the native feuds ; the natives who have been living amongst your memorialists, who have sold and are willing to sell land to the Government, have repeatedly declared that your memorialists are interested in the question at issue, that land is the basis of their wars, and that they will drag the settlers into the strife whether they are willing or not. That the European inhabitants of New Plymouth are unskilled in the use of arms, that they have neither weapons nor amunition, that they have never been organised for the purpose of defence, and that they have no Block-house or stockade, or place of refuge in case of an attack. That the present warlike position of the natives, your memorialists feel that any attempt they might make to organise themselves or to secure a place of shelter for their families, would only create alarm and distrust and probably bring down on them at once and unprepared, the calamity they seek to avert. Your memorialists, therefore, pray your Excellency to station at New Plymouth, at the earliest possible moment, and without any ostensible preparation, as they believe the utmost care is necessary to avoid alarming the native mind in its present unwonted state of excitement, And your memorialists will ever pray New Plymouth, January 6th, 1855. (Signed) Thomas King, M.H.R. James C. Sharland Edward Dorset John Watson E, Bayly Here follow 196 other signatures

Resident Magistrate's Office, New Plymouth. 26th May, 1855. Sir, — I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 14th ult., conveying a request from His Excellency the Officer administering the Government that I should furnish him with my views on the state of affairs at Taranaki, further to direct Mr. Halse to explain fully and minutely to the Hua natives that they are on no acrount to interfere with the supplies or traffic of the Europeans, either on the public highway, or by the beach, and likewise to intimate to the same tribe His Excellency's satisfaction at the return of the abstracted gun. In accordance with the wish expressed by His Excellency, I have the honor to remark that the conduct of the natives towards the Europeans has undergone no apparent change since the departure of His Excellency from this place ; and the circumstance of the abstracted gun having been given up, taken in connjxion with other minor circumstances in which the natives have been brought into contact with Europeans, and wherein they have deferred to our advice and interference, leads me to the conclusion that to a considerable extent they still respect our laws and customs, especially as regards the intercourse subsisting between themselves and Europeans, and further that there exists no ostensible cause for a qurrel to be raised by them with the Huropeansj and as the pretext for our interfering on behalf of the late Rawiri's party appears to be no longer prominently put forward, I have the greatest hope that our neutral position may be maintained and peace with the Europeans continued. During the present week, information was brought to the natives of the town pah and Moturoa, that Wirimu Ki'igi, of the Waitara, with his followers, had performed a Haka or insulting dance and song, which greatly exasperated the natives of those places, who proceeded to the Hua, Hawatown, and Waiongana, when the Maoris there joined them in expressing by a similar dance and song their defiance of Wiremu Kingi and his party.

Te Ngahuru or Tamati Wirimu has received a letter from the Ngatiruanuis informing him that they called upon Arama Karaka to abandon the pah he had built upon the tapued land where Rawiri and some of his followers fell and were buried. On this demand Te Ngahuru expressed his opinion that they had no right to interfere. I have not yet heard whether Arama Karaka has received such a communication from the Ngatiruanuis. Within the present month several natives of the latter tribe have visited this place, bringing with them cattle and pigs for sale. A large amount of produce, both native and European has been brought into the town, and, I believe, no attempt has been lately made to prevent the traffic of Euiopeans 01 others by the Natives. I have instructed Mr. Halse as to the wishes of His Excellency on this subject. I will likewise take care that the feelings of His Excellency with regard to the return of the abstracted gun, shall be made known to the tribe concerned. I have the honour to be, Sir. Your most obedient Servant, (Signed) Josiah Flight, Resident Magistrate, F, J. Travers, Esq., Private Secretary, Auckland.

Resident Magistrate's Office, New Plymouth, 25th July, 1855. Sir, — I have the honour to report, for the information of His Excellency the Officer administering the Government, that the two conflicting parties of natives have remained passive since the date of my last letter to you. Another party of Ngatiruanui has arrived to assist Kakatore. The number is said to be small, but larger numbers of the same tribe are reported to be on their way, when Kakatore's force would be increased to about a thousand. Between forty find fifty natives from Kapiti have also come up the coast, to settle at the Kaitara,, the greater part of whom have joined Arama Karaka. I have been informed, from a source on which I believe I may rely, that the Mokau chiefs having sent a message to Wiremu Kingi and the Ngatiruanuis to leave Kakatore's pah, and interfere no further in the present quarrel, threatenii .5 to come down and drive them away if they refused to comply, which message being received with an insulting defiance, Arama Karaka despatched letters to Mokau, calling on the natives there to come to his assistance. A further report states that answers have been received intimating that the intention of the Mokau natives to be down here to-day. ' . I have been requested by Honi Kopiha to acquaint His Excellency ot the destitute condition he and his party are in with regard to ammunition, and further to express his opinion of the dangerous state in which he considers the Europeans • may be placed by the altered nature of the native feud. As this chief and assessor has always shown himself a firm friend of the luiropeans, I attach some importance to his representations, yet cannot consider it would be politic to assist his party in supplying them with ammunition, until, as friends of the Government, it is deemed advisable for them to co-operate with tfie British troops. I have, &c., (Signed) Josiah Flight, Resident Magistrate, f, J. Travers, Esq., Private Secretary,

Auckland, December 19th 1854, Sir, On the eve of my return to New Plymouth I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's communication of the 24th of August, in reference to the Maori disturbances at Taranaki and containing an expression of your kind appreciation of those little services which I may have been able to render to all parties during that excitement. My purpose was to have made this acknowledgement personally when I called at the office with Mr, McLean, but as it is, I have to assure your Excellency that the utmost zeal and caution on my part shall be rendered not only in the management of these troubles whilst they last, but to bring them as speedily a3 may be to a safe termination, The difficulty would be a serious one, had it arisen in any other part of the country, but in this case we feel it to be much more intricate, from its having taken place in immediate connection with an undefended British settlement. One chief hope depends instrumentally, (as your Excellency intimates), on the extreme caution which shall be used by the settlers themselves, and though the strife may be of prolonged continuence, as we much fear it will be, and are perhaps very delicate of interference, yet we trust under the Divine Blessing that some means may shortly arise whereby a lasting reconciliation may be affected, and peace restored, and that this may be the case I shall, as an individual, be more than ordinarly anxious, from ihe circumstance of my having foregone a claim to an immediate return to England, solely on account of these disturbances, I have, &c., (Signed) H. Hanson Turton. To the Officer Administering the Government, Auckland.

Taranaki, July 15th 1855, Saturday evening. Sir, As I have just heard that a special messenger is to be sent off to-morrow morning, I beg to forward to you a few lines, in addition to the regular despatches which you will receive from the officers of Government. Perhaps it is my duty, as the resident Missionary of the district, to apprise your Excellency, in reference to our native disturbances, that they are now advancing to that point which we have foreseen from the commencement, and to provide against which, we have also from the very begining, earnestly requested that a protective force should be sent to this Province, for the defence of the European settlement. Owing to unexpected circumstances, and the power of various influences, this crisis has very fortunately been prolonged to the present time, not that the danger has been less, but that the opportunity of obtaining relief has been thus providentially lengthened. How much longer the reprieve may last, if is quite impossible to conjecture Even since your Excellency's departure from New Plymouth, William King and his tribe, have joined all thtir energies and resources to those of Katatore and the other murderers of Rawiri A'aiana, and have manifested a continued series ot hostile demonstrations against the survivers of that lamented chief, whose only fault was in wishing to place the Europeans in possession of their already purchased property. Arama Karaka, who is the recognised head of the whole Puketapu tribe, whether residing here or at the Southward, lias during the same period exercised a most beneficial influence over the movements of both parties, indeed, had it not been for his very opportune arrival from Kapiti, and his wise and cautious conduct throughout, our danger would have been greatly precipitated, and in all likelihood, our settlement destroyed. As to his erection ot a Pah at the •' Ninia" being made cause of complaint against him by Katatore and William King, it

must be evident to your Excellency that that, is a mere subterfuge on their part and intended, simply, as a cover to those extremely malignant eelings which, on the part of the former at first found vent in the murderous slaughter of his unarmed opponents, and which have even since been manifested (and long too before this Pah, was built,) in endeavouring to cut off the remainder of Itawiri's family. As to the " Ninia " itself it has been erected on the very site where Arama Karaka and Tikiku were born—the land all round chiefly belongs to them, and beyond that, they have no other land unsold which they could occupy for the purposes of cultivation The half-section where Rawtri's house stands, belongs to his widow and not to the tribe, and the "Ninia" Pah is moreover close to the spot where the s aughtered chiefs always used to reside, and against which no objection from any party was ever before heard. It is theiefore not at all likely that the greatest man in the tribe will allow himself to be dictated to by a third rate chief like Katatore, or by strangers from the Waitara or Ngatiruanui districts, as to what portion of his own land he shall please to occupy as a place of future residence and cultivation. Seventy-six of the Ngatiruanuis have already arrived, and others are following. They had not been here twelve hours before they joined the aggressive party in active hostilities against the Ninia, and let but one of them fall in the conflict, and, (as in the affair at Waitara) it will bring up the remainder of the tribe (400) who would all have been here long since, had we not succeeded in dividing their councils. There will then be more than 700 men, well supplied with ammunition, against 200, whose resources are nearly all expended. Of course, under such circumst nces, the fall of the Ninia must be certain, and the quick arrival of the vanquished party in the settlement of New Plymouth, as a rallying point for their forces must be equally so. They have no other place to flee to, and we can hardly imagine that their exasperated enemies would have sufficient moderation to deter them from following after, even though it were to the ve>y centre of the town, for it is not yet two years since many of them expressed serious intentions of cutting down our flag-staff, after the manner of Hone Heki. From the way in which Kakatore and William King have deceived your Exellency, and broken their engagements, there is not the least confidence to be placed in any promises of theirs, in regard to the European population, especially as they now seem to view us with such extreme contempt As far as I can see into our difficulties, the great point now to be gained is to secure tie Ninia from being successfully assaulted by a force already very superior, as also to prevent its occupants from leaving their stockade on any pretext whatever. We have already used the influence of atgument and persuasion with both parties and been in some degree successful. And now as a denier resort, so as to endeavour to keep them separate and thus gain time until your Excellency can despatch sufficient relief for the protection of the English settlers. I intend to-morrow to fix my tent between tile Pah and its assailants and trust for safety to the Providence of the Almighty, and the personal good will and respect of these much misguided people. I have, &c„ H. Hauson Turton, His Excellency The Officer administering the Government.

April 21st, 1855. Friend the Governor, — Salutations to you, great is my regard for you, I now write to let you know ■what has been done since you left. On the 18th of Apri we took Arama Karaka to see the spot on which Rawiri fell, when he saw that Raw:ri had fallen on Government land, he said, Katatore had done wrong, had he shot Rawiri on Native l md, then well. On our return to our Pah, Tikiku got up and said, "that'the land must be taken as payment for the killed and that they were to build a Pah at Man aw ah ui, 1 have no thought, but that the land be payment for .he killed." So en da what Tikiku said. Tamati Waka then said, "no 1 don'} wish for the

land to be payment, no but I will fight." Peripi Puhau said, "my Fathers I think the best way is on Friday to go to Mangataranoho, and if Katatore comes out let us fipht at once then and there." The assembly consented to this, and on Friday the 20th we went to the Pah of Katatore, and we fired at it, but Katatore did not come out, nor did he fire at us, nor any of his men, on these men returning to us (at the Hua) Arama Karaka got up and said, " it is well we have <lone what Perepi said, there is this, I thought that the man who was brave to kill could also be brave to cultivate (repel an enemy) and ihat he would come out and fight in open daylight, we will end this sort of work, and we will now follow the idea which Tikiku thought, and take the land and build a Pah and then should Katakore come to that Pah we will and and if not, we will not fight. This is all from Te Tahana, Papawaka. To His Excellency Governor Wynyard, &c., &c.

June 23rd, 1855. Go my letter to my father the Governor, — Friend, — Salutations to you. I have received your letter, and I have read it, you say that it is wrong to build a Pa on other mens land, friend the Governor do you hear, the land on which the Pa is built belongs to Karaina and Tikiku and us all, had w e jone to Waitara and built aPa there we should have been wrong, but we are in the right, the Pa is built on our own land, but there is one thing wrong that is Wiremu Kingi has taken part in this evil, this land is not his, but his reason for taking part in this evil is in keeping with what he and Kalatore have agreed to, formerly that no land should be sold, this is his reason for joining this eul, I think that no man or men should join in or make the evil worse, the men who feel pain for Rawiri may join, there has been rothing new since' you left what is no great evil, but there may be evil ia the days now coming. If there is, I will write and let you know. This is all my word. From your loving friend, Te Tahana Papawaku, at Hoewaka. To His Excellency Governor Wynyard, &c., &c., &c.. Auckland.

Taranaki, Te Poutoko, . Jane 21, 1855Friend the Governor, — Salutations to you. I have received your letter, it is good, it makes my heart glad ; you tell me to remember your words, yes, yes, I will, I will hold them, the woids of my Grandfather were the same, he was a man for peace. Salutations to you, O Governor and Mrs. Wynya-d, and all your children, and all the Europeans of Auckland ; there has light come to me because of your words of love and kindness, these words are to save the life of men. This is another word of mine to you about the Ngatiruanui, who are wishful to go into town with their guns, but I tell them to leave the guns in my house and J will keep them, that the town is not a native settlement, and that guns must not be taken there. When I had said this Mr. Browne and Mr. Halse came up to the Pa, they said the same that I had said, and in the evening the Ngatiruanui consented to leave their guns in my Pa, and on the morrow they went to town to sell t.ieir pigs, but did not take their guns. Do you pay attention to this of my words, I foresee evil, the natives take their guns into town, I do know the signs of Moari thinking, and it is evil, I try to stop it, and so far it is good. My word is, send us the soldiers to keep us and the Europeans, if they are ever so few they will proteet the town ; let them be

jX at bTt C vo,l n ,V e tt n0t ,h efU^ my T 3 ' le u them COme in this ™»th,tliat is in July, but yours in the thought you have the soldiers, let them oe sent soon. I his is all from your Son in love to you, From Tamati Wirfmu, Te Ngahuru.

Colonial Secretary's Office, g ir) _ Auckland, 15th August, 1854. C °°P er the Sub-Commissioner for the purchase of native lands at New y on, laving reported to Mr. McLean the occurrence of a very serious affray dir, en , r'7 a r ? — tlle ne, g hbourl >°°d of Taranaki. I have been directed by his Excellency the Officer administering the Government to urge upon your Honor, the necessity of impressing upon the Europeans there, ihe propriety of preserving strict neutrality, and of not, on any account, mixing themselves up with the views and prejudices of either of the contending tribes. I have, &c., (Signed) Andrew Sinclair, His Honor Colonial Secretary. The Superintendent of New Plymouth.

Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, 24th August, 1854. Sir, — It having been represented to his Excellency that during the late disturbed state of the laranaki District your exertions for the preservation of peace have been most energetic and praiseworthy, I have the honour, by direction of his Excellency the Officer administering the Government, to convey to you his Excellency's acknowledgment of your valuable services on the late unfortunate occasion. His Excellency further directs me to state, that he entertains a hope that you will still continue your exertions for the maintenance of* peace, especially among the European population, who appear to have behaved so well during the late trying period of excitement. I have, &c., (Signed) Andrew Sinclair, Colonial Secretary. The Rev. H. Turton, New Plymouth.

Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, 22nd December, 1854. Sir, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th instant, in reply to mine of the 21st August last, on the subject of the recent native disturbances in New Plymouth, and in reply I am directed by his Excellency the Officer administering the Government, to express the gratification with which his Excellency receives the promise of your continual efforts to bring these disturbances to a speedy and safe termination. I have, &c., (Signed) Andrkw Sinclair, The Reverend Colonial Secretary. H.H.Turton, , New Plymouth.

•Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, December 26th 1854. Sir, — Adverting your letter of the 21st instant, reporting fresh disturbances between the natives at New Plymouth, I am "directed by the Officer administering the Government, to inform you that his Excellency approves of the steps your Honor has taken in this matter. The continued hostilities between " lhaia's" party, and the Puketapu tribe, is nothing more than what was naturally to be expected, and it behoves the authorities at New Plymouth to use their utmost influence and exertion to prevent the possibility of any interference on the part of the Europeans, so that no excuse whatever may exist for the, Natives connecting the settlers with the slightest participation in a feud which is at present entirely between themselves. His Excellency is still of opinion that the introduction of any military force would be more calculated to do harm than good, and a less foree than that which would be equal to any emergency, would be ill advised in the highest degree. In the absence of Mr. McLean, the Government propose sending Major Nugent, Native Secretary, to Taranaki, for the double purpose of seeing the natives, and if possible of bringing this dispute to a termination ; and of ascertaining in the event of the military occupation of New Plymouth, whether any and what accommodation could be provided for from three to five hundred men] with officers and proper equipments, and also to ascertain if the Provincial Government is prepared with funds necessary for such occupation, I have &e., (Signed) Andrew Sinclair. , T . TT Colonial Secretary. His Honor The Superintendeat, New Plymouth.

Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, January 15th 1855. Sir,— With reference to your letter of the 26th ult., stating that" although the present " state of native population in the province of New Plymouth is anything but satis- " factory you trust that any immediate cause of alarm has now passed away," lam directed by the Officer administering the Government, to convey to you His Excellency's thanks for the very satisfactory information you have thus afforded the Government. His Excellency has further desired me to acquaint you that the Native Secretary has been despatched to New Plymouth, with a view if possible to terminate this unfortunate disturbance, I have, &c., (Signed) Andrew Sinclair, Colonial Secretary, The Resident Magistrate, New Plymouth.

Colonial Secretary's Office, Sir,— Auckland, February 10, 1855. and m reply hi. Excellency, He Officer fcTove" J,T h« directed me to state that those documents have been laid before th Kv! ' . Sriiir the Gover,,ment '» m " 4 * i "» . A V he^ BtK e « iment :. the tro °P s now stationed in Auckland, has recently received notice to be in readiness to embark for England, the Government not consider itself justified, in the absence of imminent danger to the settlement t ° h f Plymouth in incurring the responsibility of detatching any portion "f at regiment t0 laranaki, and a considerable time must elapse, before a portion o the 6jth Regiment, at present at Wellington and at Wanganui, could be detatched on that service ° Assuming troops to be at once available, the Government doubts the exne diency of at present making Taranaki a Military Post. The desturbances hire been confined to the natives themselves, and the Government believes that it is essential to the present safety of, and to the future progiess of the settlement that neither the settlers nor the Government should be drawn into the quarrel, and that the stationing of troops in the district would almost certainly be followed bv the commencement of hostilities, and that the amount of force likely to be available for service in that locality, would be inadequate to protect the properly of numerous settlers scattered over a considerable extent of country, in the event of the district becoming the scene of a protracted native war. Looking also to the unfavorable nature of the Country for Military opera, tions, and to the difficulty of access bv sea, the Government thinks that every effort should be used ; to avoid the risk of hostilities with the natives in the Taranaki district. The Government is of opinion that an officer of intelligence and conversant with the native character, should, as soon as possible be despatched to Taranaki, charged with the duty of occupying himself constantly among the various parties,' by persuasion and argument, in endeavouring to keep the peace, and to remain in the district until relieved or recalled. The Government will also authorise the Resident Magistrate to incur such reasonable expense as may be necessary, for the construction of a stockadeor blockhouse as a place of refuge, if the Magistrates think the erection of such a building under all circumstances expedient, and also the expense of such other precautionery measures as may be deemed necessary for the safety of the settlers, and he will be instructed to take such means as may be necessary for the safe keeping of the arms, &c., deposited in the settlement, at the same time care should be taken that they be kept in repair and in readiness for immediate use in case of emergency. With this object in view it is important that the Magistrate without making any demonstration of preparation, should be prepared to select from amongst the community those who may be most able and willing to make use of arms in case of need. As it appaers that the natives, in various parts of the country, have been supplied with atms and amunition, notwithstanding the provissions of the Arms Ordinance, a circular will be addressed to every Residennt Magistrate and Justice of the Peace in the Colony, ,calling uponhim to use his utmost enc'e ivours to prevent and punish infringement of that ordinance, for as long as arms are put into the hands of the natives, it will be impossible to answer for the peace of the country. As the disturbances in Taranaki appear to have had their origin in a dispute about the title to land, the Land Purchase Department will be instructed to use great caution in entering into any negociation for the purchase of land, until the views of the various claimants should have been ascertained. As regards the purchjse of lands from the natives, the Government is of opinion that to make Taranaki a Military Post would tend to operate unfavor-

ably with the natives there, and further to indispose them to part with their land. The least objectionable mode of providing for the safety of the settlement appears to be, the establishment of a strong and efficient body of armed police, to consist, say for the present, of from 30 to 40 picked men, active, resolute, and trustworthy, to be armed in the most efficient manner, with a double barrelled carbine, bayonet, and revolver, and already, if possible, famiiiar with the use of arms, so as to render unnecessary the parade of training; the arms not to be constantly worn, the men to be selected and the force to be raised by the Provincial authorities, and to act as a body of constabulary under their directions, in aid of the civil power. As the resources of the Province are insufficient to meet the expense of maintaining so large a constabulary force, the Government will, if the Provincial authorities des re that the force be organised, undertake to share the expense with the Provincial Government. Such a body would not only be very efficient in themselves, but thev would form a valuable nucleus, arourd which the the armed settlers might rally in case of need. It would be desirable that some of the men should understand the management of a field piece, they would be the proper party to entrust with the custody and preservation of the arms and amunition belonging to the Government, and as the official duties of su; h a body would ordinarily be little more than nominal, they might be employed to a certain extent in useful public worlcs, and assuming such a force to comprise a sufficient number of seamen and marines, they might form the Harbour boat's crew, In the absence of any organised body to defend it, a blockhouse or stockade would be of little real utility, but if such an armed force were organised, it would be of importance that they should have some building, however small', on which they could fall back and defend themselves. Such a building might for the most part be erected by themselves. It. would be essential that the command of such a force should be entrusted to a person in whose prudence and determination the settlers would have confidence In conclusion I am directed to inform your Honor , that Mr. J. J. Symonds formerly Native Secretary, has been requested to proceed as soon as possible to New Plymouth, and to plac3 himself in communication with yourself and the Resident Magistrate, in order to preserve peace and tranquility amongst the natives in New Plymouth, I have, &c., (Signed): Andrew Sinclair. Colonial Secretary. His Honor, The Superintendent, New Plymouth,

Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, 30th July, 1855. Sib, —I am directed by his Excellency the Officer administering'the Government, to inform your Honor that the General Government have decided to send to New Plymouth, for the protection of its inhabitants, a military force of about three hundred men, of all ranks, to be detached from Auckland and Wellington. I am further directed to request your Honor to use your utmost efforts for the preservation of the general security of the settlement, until the whole detachment anive, when it is hoped some arrangements may be made to conclude the Native Listurbances, and restore the tranquility of the Province. I have &c., (Signed) Andrew Sinclair. Colonial Secretary. His Honor the Superintendent of New Plymouth}

Colonial Secretary's Office, Sir, Auckland, 30th July,'i 855. ment to the Governthe critical state of the Native Disturbances at \Vw "pi a ' l1 ' reporting on you his Excellency's best thanks for your zealous effort! IT™ T * terminate the dangerous condition of affairs of that settlement. 3 I have, &c. (Signed) Andrew Sinclair, Rev. H. Turton, Colonial Secretary. New Plymouth,

New Plymouth, Sik,— Apiil 7th, 1855. admini™ ac quaint you that it is with extreme regret the Officer sot fi " dS ' th3t hiS UllWeariecl exertions durirg his sojourn in Taranaki have failed to secure that happy result (so earnestly aimed » from a visit to th,.s settlement) in the minds of the surroundmgnXes ec e with the feud that has so long been existing among them At one time he was in hopes, by the support of the bulk of the Chiefs to have arrived it conclusion that would have been satisfactory to all, but the absence of a feeling i ° r . lnatl "n and deference to the British supremacy on the part of a few ha convinced his Excellency that any prolonged exertions on his part, would only lessen the influence the huropean authorities ought to possess, and while ?Wt U h " U , S <; oncluslon ' he ha « the satisfaction of having ascertained that the reports made by yourself and the Resident Magistrate have been fully borne out, and that the present state of the settlement of Taranaki is one calling lor the serious and earnest consideration of the fostering care of the Imperial Government. During his Excellency's stay, no time has been lost to meet any emergency, and while contemplating a negociation with the contending natives steps have also been taken to prepare for military occupation. His Excellency ■will consider it his duty to represent to the coming Governor, and also to the (leneral Commanding-in- Chief, the urgent necessity which appears to him to for a force being stationed at Taranaki, such as may not only protect the European inhabitants, but support the British authority. V\ ith this feeling his Excellency feels the propriety of stationing in the Province of New Plymouth a considerable detachment of troops (considerable in reference to the force detained in the colony), which coupled with local exertions may, in his estimation, be sufficient to secure the object in view. If, therefore, a detachment cf 300 men, supported by guns, can be supp'ied for this post, it will be the duty, as he believes it will be the disposition of the inhabitants under the peculiar position of the mother-country, to lend their cordial aid by the formation of a local corps, for the arming of which he will use his utmost endeavours to secure the necessary supply of arms and ammunition, provided such a force be placed under the authority and command of an officer enjoying the confidence of the General Government lam to add, that his Excellency will be pleased to receive from you a nominal return of such settlers as may wish to enrol themselves for the sake of self-preservation, and for the purpose of acting in conjunction with H. M. Forces, when placed in position, and for which purpose no unnecessary time wjll be lost, although this moment may be considered most unfortunate—a moment when the military of New Zealand are undergoing a change in disposition, though not in actual numbers. A copy of this communication, as also a copy of his Excellency's enquiries during his stay at Taranaki, will be furnished to the Secretary of State, and laid before the new Governor on his arrival, and I am directed to add that any suggestions the constituted authoiities of New Plymouth may be disposed to introf djuce to his notice, shall meet with his best cons deration.

His Excellency, from his enquiries, does not apprehend any immediate annoyance to the inhabitants from the exciting state of things, although at the same time, he thinks it advisable to leave his admonition that the Europeans should studionsly avoid all interference with the differences existing between the Natives, in order that they may have no cause whatever to justify any, the slightest molestation. The feeling of the inhabitants has so far merited his highest approval, and from their display of forbearance he attributes the all but universal attachment of the natives to the settlers on the soil from whom they derive so many and such substantial advantages. His Excellency has requested me to draw your special notice to the cojdial support and candid information he has during his sojourn received from Tahana and Raniera, Native Assessors, in whom the utmost confidence, he considers, may be placed. He also wishes me to remark the feelings of William King have been decidedly for peace, and for the preservation of a good understanding with the Europeans, and that even Xatatore has been anxious to assist him in his undertaking, so far as to relinquish to the Crown the boundary in dispute up to the Mangoraka River. Ihaia has also evinced his desire for peace, thus reducing the numbers positively inimical to an adjustment, to a few in the Hua Pah, with whom, however, Arama Karaka has now announced his disposition to unite. I have, &c., (Signed) F. J. Travers. Private Secretary. His Honor The Superintendent, New Plymouth.

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ENCLOSURES TO MESSAGES FROM HIS EXCELLENCY THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING THE GOVERNMENT., Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives, 1855 Session I

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ENCLOSURES TO MESSAGES FROM HIS EXCELLENCY THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING THE GOVERNMENT. Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives, 1855 Session I

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