A.—No. 3

" Lady Bird," on the 14th ultimo, had I not been confined to my bed, from severe indisposition, for several days immediately after my arrival at Taranaki ; and I was further detained until the 24th instant in consequence of the steamer " Auckland" not having called there on her last voyage to this Province. I have, &c, Thos. BeCkham, Commissioner. The Honorable The Colonial Secretary. No. 6. COPY OF A LETTER FROM THE COLONIAL SECRETARY TO T. BECKHAM, ESQ. Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, 9th July, 1864. Sir,— I have the honor, by direction of Mr. Fox, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, of the sth instant, reporting the steps which you had taken, in the fulfillment of your duties as Commissioner, for the purpose of testing the fairness of the amount of compensation awarded to the settlers at Taranaki, by Mr. Commissioner Sewell, in 1861. Mr. Fox desires me to return to you the thanks of the Government for your services in the execution of your Commission. I have, &c, W. Gisborne, Under Secretary. T. Beckham, Esq., Auckland. No. 7. COPY OF A LETTER FROM COLONIAL SECRETARY TO T. BECKHAM, ESQ. Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, 9th July, 1864. Sir, — I have the honor, by the direction of Mr. Fox, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the sth July, 1864, reporting your unavoidable detention at Taranaki beyond the date at which you expected to return to Auckland. I have, &c, W. Gisbornb, Under Secretary. T. Beckham, Esq., Auckland. No. 8. COPY OF A LETTER FROM THE COLONIAL SECRETARY TO T. BECKHAM, ESQ. Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, 11th July, 1864. Sir, — I am directed by Mr. Fox to authorise you to draw from the Colonial Treasury, in consideration of your recent special mission to Taranaki, as Commissioner to enquire into compensation claims, the usual travelling allowance of one guinea per diem while in that Province, and an honorarium of fifty pounds (£5O) in all for your services. The Government will also pay the expenses of your passage to and from New Plymouth, and also of your conveyance from Auckland to Onehunga and back again. I have, &0., W. Gisbornk, Under Secretary. T. Beckham, Esq., Auckland.

5

TARANAKI REINSTATEMENT FUND.