A.—No. 5.

"We think this to be wrong. Listen, 0 Queen, to our word; it is the salvation of this island that they are taking elsewhere. There are two races of men living on this Island, the Maori people one, the white people the other. The Governor and the Government standing in the midst, looking after both races, protects them. We think that if the Governor leaves us, great confusion will be the consequence. This is the reason of our prayer to you, 0 Queen, to confirm the dwelling of the Governor at Auckland, at the place which is near to all the Maori tribes. This is our prayer to you from the people who have adhered to you in the tempest and in the sunshine, i.e., who are loyal in war and in peace. (Here follow the names of one hundred and fifty-two Natives, including forty chiefs.) We, the persons who have written our names to this paper, do truly wish that the Government of New Zealand be kept at Auckland, that they may plainly see to the helm and head —that is to say — the evil of the Island. No. 45. His Excellency the Govebnoe to the Eight Hon. the Secbetaet or State for the Colonies. Sic, — Government House, Auckland, 23rd May, 1865. "With a view of confirming in their allegiance the Natives of the East Coast who had been visited by the fanatics who had murdered Mr. Volkner, I requested Captain Luce, at present senior naval officer here, to proceed to that part of New Zealand, there to visit the principal friendly chiefs. 2. Captain Luce ia an officer of considerable ability, and of great discretion. I therefore anticipated that important results would follow from his visit. In this expectation I have not been mistaken, as you will find from the enclosed copy of his report of proceedings that great good has been effected by his visit to the friendly chiefs of the East Coast. 3. Since his return, Her Majesty's ship " Eclipse," commanded by Captain Fremantle, has been despatched to call at Opotiki, and some places in its neighbourhood. I trust that by this mail I shall be able to transmit to you Captain Premantle's report of his proceedings. I have, Ac, The Eight Hon. Edward Cardwell, M.P. G. Geet. Enclosure 1 to No. 45. Eepoet of Proceedings of Captain Luce, during the Cruise to the East Cape, between the 2Gth April and the 11th May, 1865. Sic,— Her Majesty's Ship " Esk," in Auckland Harbour, 11th May, 1865. I have the honor to report that, in compliance with your requisition of the 25th April, I have visited in H.M. Ship " Esk" Te Kaha, Hick's Bay, Kawa Kawa, Waiapu, and Poverty Bay, and at each of these places I held communication with those chiefs and tribes who were willing to see me. I was well received on all occasions. I everywhere delivered aa your message the instructions you gave me, to " Encourage the tribes in every way in my power to remain faithful to their religion, and to the cause of law and order." While I praised the loyal and faithful, I warned the Kingites and Pai Marires that no act of violence would long go unpunished. I advised them, above all things, to remain quiet and peaceable, and told them that as long as they behaved well, they would not be interfered with, and that I believed peace and quiet would soon open their eyes, and bring many of them back to their flag and their church. I told all, that I came from you, and that I would patiently listen, and report to you all I saw and heard. I also delivered your letter to the chief Morgan, and the Bishop's letter to the people of Poverty Bay. I believe this visit of a man-of-war, with a message from you to the East Coast Natives, has had a very good effect. The loyal and faithful feel themselves strengthened and encouraged, while the King party and Pai Marires who lately have in some places closed the roads, and shown marked incivility to loyal Natives and English travellers, changed their tone directly our being on the coast was known to them, and not only opened the roads, but also invited into their pas myself and those who were on their way to see me. I held koreros at Te Kaha, Hick's Bay, Kawa Kawa, Waiapu, and Poverty Bay. The chief Morgan came to me at Hick's Bay, and I accompanied him overland to his place. He and two of his chiefs embarked with me at Warariki Point and accompanied me to Poverty Bay, and at his earnest request I brought to Auckland the chief Wickliff of East Cape, and Hotene of Waiapu Valley. The summary of what 1 heard at the different places is as follows : — At Te Kaha : I ascertained, beyond a doubt, that Mr. T. A. White had left that place in the " Kate Williams," on the 21st or 22nd March. I met a friendly chief, Hamiora Eewiti, who showed me a paper signed by Mr. White, and dated 21st March, certifying that the bearer was a loyal chief of Omaio. An English resident, named Smith, saw him embark in the schooner, and told me that she sailed with a full cargo, that all her dealings with the Natives were of a friendly character, and that they had fine weather at Te Kaha for three days after she left. The Pai Marires have visited this place, and converted most of the Natives to the new religion. They said, in reply to my advice to remain quiet and peaceable, that only one crime had been committed in the Bay of Plenty, and they had taken no part in it, and would remain quiet. The old people profess not to have changed their religion, but say that the young and the women take to it eagerly. A party of Pai Marires were expected there in a day or two. Two chiefs, Te Kepa Tamarangi and Hori Kerei Kawakura, relatives of Mr. Fulloon, came on board with us, and consulted with Mr. Fulloon about the practicability of raising a contingent of friendly Maoris from amongst the tribes. There are not above 60 men at Te Kaha. At Rich's Bay: I visited the chief Harara Houkamau. His pa is small, scarcely containing above 30 men. He said

No. 72. Cnyit. Luce to Sir a.arey,lltliMar, 1865. "_ Sir G. O-rey to Capt. Luce" 18th May, 1865.

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DESPATCHES PROM THE GOVERNOR OP NEW