E—No. 1

I trouble your Grace -with these documents partly ou account of the information they contain, and partly because they exhibit some of the many difficulties which surround every attempt to introduce improvements in the management of Native affairs. I have, &c, T. Gore Browne . His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, &c, &c, &c.

Enclosure 1 in No. G. MEMORANDUM BY THE NATIVE SECRETARY. In reply to Your Excellency's Memorandum of this day's date, I have the honor to state that I consider the appointment of Chiefs to assist the Government in the administration of Native affairs, very desirable. The advice and opinions of Chiefs of rank and intelligence would be invaluable to the Government in guiding its decisions on any questions of importance affecting the Native race. The Chiefs appointed should reside at the Seat of Government, and have comfortable residences provided for them at the public expense, with pay to each at the rateof two hundred pounds per annum. A distinguishing dress should be provided, and their oifice should be permanent, subject to termination only in cases of misconduct. Their duties should be defined by clear and intelligible instructions; and the Governor, in travelling through Native Districts, should be accompanied by one or more of them, who should be present at all meetings, and take part in public discussions or deliberations with the several tribes. The Maories, generally, would very much appreciate the fact that some of their own leading Chiefs were invited to exercise authority in connection with the Government, in matters relating to themselves; and the Government, by free consultation with those Chiefs, would be better able to judge how far any measures that might from time to time be devised for the civilization and improvement of the Natives, would be attended with success. I submit that the Government of the country should use every possible endeavour to restore and secure the confidence of the Natives, more especially of those tribes who have not joined in the present insurrection. The appointment of some of the influential Chiefs to offices of trust, at a time when military advantages are being gained over those taking part in the existing disturbances, would tend very much to inspire them with confidence as to the humane intentions of the English nation towards them, and dispel much of the disaffection and antipathy of race which unfortunately prevails. Donald McLean. Auckland, January 31st, 1861.

Enclosure 2 in No. 6. MEMORANDUM BY THE ASSISTANT NATIVE SECRETARY. Auckland, Ist February, 1861. With reference to the subject of Your Excellency's Memorandum of the 30th ultimo, I have the honor to state briefly my opinion, that it is highly desirable that some of the principal Native Chiefs should assist the Executive Government with their advice in the conduct of Native affairs; and that such an arrangement, if made with the general concurrence of the Native people, would materially tend to secure their confidence in the Government. At the same time I feel bound to express to Your Excellency my conviction that the present time is not the most opportune for initiating the new system. I fear that until the establishment of more cordial relations between the Government and the Native race generally, the acceptance by any Native Chief of such an appointment as is proposed, involving removal from among his own people, would place him in an invidious position, and that by identifying him with the Government under present circumstances it would tend to impair the influence which he might otherwise exercise. As a means towards bringing the present war to a termination, I see no ground for anticipating any good result from an immediate carrying out of the proposed arrangement. The selectiou must necessarily be restricted to those Chiefs whose sympathies or professions are unequivocally on the side of the Government, and who by the declaration of their sentiments have rendered themselves more or less obnoxious to many of their countrymen. Such men would probably render better service to the Government by remaining among their own people. As a prominent feature in a new system to be introduced when peace is restored, the proposed arrangement is calculated to produce the best results ; but while so large a portion of the Native population is either disaffected or wavering, I should hesitate to recommend its initiation. I am also of opinion, that the concurrence of the Natives in any new plans for their government is essential. To secure this, such plans should in the first place be suggested as matter for consideration, rather than announced as the determination of the Government arrived at without

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DESPATCHES FROM GOVERNOR GORE BROWNE