TO NATIVE AFFAIRS. 1 No. 4. copy op a DESPATCH trom his grace the duke of Newcastle to governor gore BKOWNE, C.B. Downing Street, 26th January, 1861. Sir, — I have received your Despatch, No. 109, of the Ist of November last, and have to acquaint you that the views there expressed will be duly taken into consideration by Her Majesty's Government in deciding on the general measures to be adopted for the better Government of the Natives, and on the mode in which the expenses of the War are to be provided for. I have to observe, however, with reference to the concluding paragraph of your Despatch, that Sir G. Lewis's observation to the effect that a policy condemned itself, which could only be supported by constant presence of a large armed force, was not intended to imply any censure whatever on yourself. I have never doubted that without the control of far larger funds for Native purposes than have been placed at your disposal by the Colonial Government, it has been quite impossible to adopt such measures as would bo effectual for the Government and civilization of the Maoris. I have, &c, Newcastle. Governor Gore Browne, C.8., &c,, &c, &c.

E—No. 3

NEW ZEALAND. (No. 9.)

No. 5. copy of a DESPATCH from his grace the i>uke of Newcastle to governor gore BROWNE, C.B. Downing Street, Sir, — 26th January, 1861. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 110 of the 3rd November last forwarding a Journal of events in the neighbourhood of Auckland consequent on the death of a Maori at Patamahoe, who was supposed by the Natives to have been murdered by an European. I have read this detailed report with great interest and I concur with you in considering that the Government of the Natives should be carried on through the Chiefs, and that it -vO-ould be a wise policy to secure to the British Government their faithful services by grants of land or money, or of such other advantages as are calculated to retain their attachment. I have, &c, Newcastle. Governor Gore Browne.

New Zealand. (No.10.)

No. 6. copy of a DESPATCH from his grace the duke of Newcastle to governor gore BROWNE, C.B. Downing Street, Sib,— 26th February, 1861. I lose no time in acknowledging your Despatch No. 120 of the 26th November, enclosing the copy of a Bill which you have reserved for the signification of Her Majesty's pleasure, intituled, " An Act to establish a Council to assist in the administration of Native Affairs." I could have desired to inform you immediately of the decision of Her Majesty on a measure of so much interest to the inhabitants of New Zealand. You will probably not be surprised however that I have been unable to do so during the few days which have elapsed since the receipt of the Act. The mere question of Native Government cannot well be treated apart from other questions, including that of expenditure for Native purposes and for Military protection with which it is naturally connected, and which cannot be hastily disposed of, and I am obliged to add that the change which the Act aifects in the relations between the Imperial Government, as represented by the Governor, and the Maori race is open to objections which have always been deemed very serious, and which carry peculiar importance at the present moment when the Imperial Government is called upon to incur heavy expenses in aid of the New Zealand Colonists. On the other hand I am very reluctant hastily to refuse Her Majesty's assent to an Act which I do not doubt has been framed with a sincere desire for the good of those whom it affects. I have found it necessary therefore to defer my decision on this subject till I am able to give the whole question a closer and more mature consideration ; and I shall not fail to communicate to you fully the views of Her Majesty's Government with as little delay as is consistent with the importance and difficulty of the question at issue. I have, &c, Newcastle. Thomas Gore Browne, C.8., &c, &c, &c.

New Zealand, (No. 24.)