TO THE GOVERNOR OP NEW ZEALAND. .

5

A.—No. 1

This prohibition has occasioned much inconvenience to the troops, and very serious anxiety for the daily supply of meat. Not only has the meat contractor been a serious sufferer, but some expenses have been incurred directly by this department in freight and land transport of salt meat, and in the unavoidable losses of that article when considerable quantities are kept on hand, especially in the field, exposed to all kinds of weather. When it is considered, that importation from Australia was essentially a condition of tho contract, it will, I trust, be admitted, that the contractor has very reasonable grounds to expect some compensation for the aditional cost he has been subjected to by the unlooked for action of the Provincial Government, in refusing to permit him to land the cattle he brought from Australia to the Taranaki roadstead, for the purpose of fulfilling the contract he entered into with me, in full confidence that he would be dealt with in perfect faith on the important point of bringing into use his cattle from Australia, for the purposes of his contract. Mr. Johnson has also performed his contract hitherto in a most satisfactory manner, and lias spared neither trouble nor expense to keep Her Majesty's forces properly supplied. With regard to the statement of Mr. Johnson's Agent, showing the expenses actually incurred in consequence of this prohibition, I beg to state that the several items appear to me very reasonable indeed—considerably less than I had expected. The quantity of fresh meat issued in the Province, during tho four months, was about 173,0001b5. The compensation now demanded raises the price of the meat about fifty per cent, upon the contract price. I venture to recommend that this compensation be allowed to Mr. Johnson as fair and reasonable, but that the same be charged against the Colony, not only as occasioned by a breach of the Constitution Act of the Colony, but as only fair, just, and probably within the money value of the advantages accruing to the settlers by the increased prices they have drawn from the contractor for their cattle. I enclose copies of all tho documents relating to this case, consisting of the local correspondence, and my representations to His Excellency the Governor and the Lieutenant-General. I have, &c., H. Stanley Jones, The Under Secretary of State, War Office. Commissary-General.

No. 9. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to Governor Sir George Grey, K.C.B. (No. 29.) Sir, — Downing Street, 22nd September, 1806. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 73, of the 24th of July, informing me that the state of affairs in New Zealand was rapidly improving, and that William Thompson, accompanied by three other chiefs, had arrived at WeUington. It very satisfactory to me to receive this intelligence. I have, &c, Governor Sir George Grey, K.C.B. CARNARVON.

No. 10. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to Governor Sir George Grey, K.C.B. (No. 31.) Sir, — Downing Street, 26th September, 1866. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 69, of the 10th of July, reporting the circumstances attending the death of a friendly Native named "Spain," who was shot by Her Majesty's troops on the occasion of the capture of a pa. It is very satisfactory to me to learn that " Spain's " death was entirely the result of an accident, brought about by his having acted in defiance of the positive orders which had been issued that no acts of pfilage were to be committed. I am glad that you caused such prompt inquiry to be made respecting the death of this Native. I have, &c, Governor Sir George Grey, K.C.B. CARNARVON. 2