E.—No. 5.

No. 5. Copy of a DESPATCH from His Excellency Sir Geoege Geey, X.C.8., to His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, K.G. Mr Loed Duke, — Government House, Auckland, 7th May, 1864. I have the honor to transmit for your Grace's information, copies of two letters I have received from friendly chiefs, regarding the detention of the Native Prisoners on board the hulk " Marion," as also the copy of a letter from one of tho prisoners, a leading chief, on the same subject. I have, &c, His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, K.G., Ac, &c. G. Geey. Enclosure 1 to No. 5. Fathee the Goveenoe, — Auckland, April 22nd, 1864. Salutations ! This is a word of ours to you about the prisoners now on board of their vessel (the hulk). AYe think that you should permit them to come on shore to live: it would be well, as they would (still) be living in your presence, and keep in mind their misconduct. Hence our thought, and our continuing to urge you to permit them to coino and stay on shore. If a thought should enter their minds about running away, where could any man run to who might entertain such an idea. And now, O father, allow them to come on shore, and see how it will be. If they come on shore to stay, they must live quietly in your presence until the end of the war. It will be for you to decide about them. This is our constant thought, to importune you to let them come and live on shore. This is all we have to say. From us your loving friends, Kukutat, Aihipene Kaihau, To the Governor, Auckland. Hori Taueoa. Enclosure 2 to No. 5. Fkiend raE Governor, — Auckland April 27th, 1864. Salutations ! This is my word to you. Hearken ! My reason for constantly urging you to permit the prisoners to come on shore is that they are subdued by your kindness towards them. Another reason is, they have (now) no mana (power, influence, or authority). This mana is all now with you, and the land also is in your possession. The thing that I consider most is this : the land was what they thought the most of; it was this which caused their work, their obstinacy, and their determination to maintain'the king movement. My idea is this : the men being dead (conquered), the land is likewise dead; why then detain the men when their bodies arj dead, and also all their thoughts ; how can they devise anything, or form any plans for the future, when the mana ofthe land and the mana of the men are gone? what can they do hereafter when you have got the mana of the land ? It is that thought which causes me to importune you to allow them to come on shore. From your loving son, Kukutai, Enclosure 3 to No. 5. To Governor Sir George Gbey,— Ship " Marion," 30th April, 1864. 0 father, salutations to you! the guardian and exponent of good laws for the body and for the soul, the storehouse in which are hung up great thoughts, the father of the orphan and widow, the fountain head of knowledge and love! O Sir, this is the prompting of the heart anxious to throw out a word to you. AVhat though the word be a little word, it is a proverb of our ancestors —" Though little, it is a little freely offered." I refer to your goods which are packed in this house, and which are being wasted by rotting through the badness of tho house. It is a thought of mine that though the goods be bad, the house (in which they are stored) should be good. This is another (inconvenience) that we have to speak to you afar off, that we cannot see you and hear your thoughts. Enough. To Governor Grey. From Takeeei Te Rau.

No. 6. Copy of a DESPATCH from His Excellency Sir George Grey, X.C.8., to His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, K.G. My Lord Duke, — Government House, Auckland, 9th May, 1864. 1 have the honor to enclose for your Grace's information, a very interesting narration of a short captivity amongst the Rebel Natives, which has been given by a Native of the name of Hemi Taiwhanga, who was recently captured by them. He reports that at the time of the pa at Orakau the Rebels expected to hear of the Native Prisoners we had taken being hung. I have, &c, His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, K.G., &c, &c. G. Geey. Enclosure to No. 6. Sir, — Camp Tepapa, Tauranga, April 15,1864. I have the honor to forward for your information the statement of Henri Taiwhanga, a friendly native who was captured by the Rebels at Rangiaohia, and afterwards released by them. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. William B. Bakee, R.M. STATEMENT of Henbi Taiwhanga, son of the late Rawiri Taiwhanga, a Ngapuhi Chief. Was engaged by Mr. D. Graham to go to Waikato with a party of Europeans to saw timber for

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TO THE SECRETARY OE STATE.