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Oil the one hand, it must be admitted, that the Imperial Government has a large direct interest in the preservation of peaceful relations with the Aborigines ; but on the other, it cannot be denied that the Colonists, as a body, have a far greater interest in the same object, not only their own property, but their lives are at stake. The obvious interests of both are identical. The Governor's Responsible Advisers see no reason to believe that any advantage whatever, either to European or Native inhabitants of the Colony, or to the Imperial Government, could possibly result from withdrawing altogether the administration of Native Affairs from those most interested in their peaceful and successful management. On the contrary, they see equal evils to both races as likely to follow such a policy ; but at the same time they feel that it would be unreasonable to object to the exercise on the part of the Imperial Government of a potent voice and paramount authority in the direction of those affairs. After a careful consideration, therefore, of the question in all its bearings, your Excellency's Advisers are not able to suggest a better arrangement than that which has now been concluded, To them it appears to give to the Colonists those powers which, for the good government of the Colony, it is essential that they should possess, and at the same time to secure to the Imperial Government that control which the maintenance for the protection of the country of considerable Military and Naval forces reasonably entitles them exercise. Tour Excellency's Advisers are not, therefore, with their present experience, prepared to propose that the relations just agreed on between the Governor and his Responsible Ministers should be altered, and they recommend that these relations should be confirmed by Her Majesty. Your Excellency's Advisers, however, in expressing their belief that this system of administration of Native Affairs will be found to answer the purposes for which it was devised, beg at the same time to state their present conviction that if any alteration be hereafter made, the peace, welfare, and good government of both races of Her Majesty's subjects in the Colouy, as well as the direct interests of the Imperial Government, will require rather an extension, than a contraction of the powers entrusted to the Colonists. (Signed") C. W. Richmond, Henky Sewell.

Government House, Auckland, New Zealand, 21st September, 1856. Sik, — I have the honor to forward a resolution of the House of Representatives, two memoranda by my Responsible Advisers, and one from myself on the administration of Native affairs. 2. In answer to my Opening Address, both Houses of the Assembly confirmed the relations detailed in my Despatch No. 48 of 30th April last, and that dated 2Cth ultimo. No. 88 covers a protest Dγ some Members of the Legislative Council against any alteration in them. 3. In reference to the first part of my Advisers' Minute, I must observe that a journal of everything whicli occurred in connection with the Natives, was forwarded to them weekly, and all the documents, not being altogether unimportant, were shewn to them, more especially when there was any reference to expenditure however small. 4. Pendiug the political struggle which continued during the whole of the Session of Assembly, my Advisers were too much occupied to be able to devote attention to anything not immediately connected with it. Hence matters requiring early consideration often remained unnoticed, and complaints were made of want of information, though the Documents containing it had been forwarded, and were actually in their possession. 5. I should also observe that in his speech, as reported on the 30th July, Mr. Stafford observes, that " the Ministry would in no manner, either in this or any similar occasion, become responsible for any expenditure whatever, which they had not advised, or which was not under their direct control." 6. Although it is not asserted in their Minute, that my Responsible Advisers were excluded from that practical knowledge of Native Affairs which is essential to enable them satisfactorily to advise me, they do state that they were unable to explain and justify the administration of Native Affairs, when called on to do so by the General Assembly. 7. Without therefore entering on further discussion of the past, it was quite evident that some alteration in the mode of conducting Native Affairs had become absolutely necessary, and it was most important that such alterations should, if possible, be in accordance with the views and wishes of the gentlemen who possess the confidence of the Assembly ; I therefore gladly acceded to the proposition now submitted for your approval, having observed in the 2nd paragraph of my minute that I considered it their duty frankly to state for the information of Her Majesty's Government, whether any other system would in their opinion be preferable to the one now under discussion. 8. The subject being fully explained in the accompanying memorandum, I will only observe that it would be difficult to overrate the importance of a satisfactory arrangement of the relations between the Governor and the members of a Government, responsible only to the Assembly, but desirous of governing the the Colony at large, including among its inhabitants a proud and independent race of savages, recognising Her Majesty's supremacy but imperfectly, and repudiating all authority except that of her Representative. It must also be remembered that the Maories are constantly advised and reminded of their power, and the large amount they contribute to the Revenue, by persons belonging to several classes, and more than one Nation, who are actuated by various motives, among which allegiance to Her Majesty is not always a prominent one.