A.—No. 15e.

PAPERS RELATIVE TO PRISONERS AND GUARD AT THE CHATHAM ISLANDS.

No. 1. Memoeandtjm by Mr. Halse. In obedience to instructions from the Hon. the Native Minister, I called upon Captain Thomas, E.M., Chatham Islands, and obtained from him the following information on the various points named in Colonel Eussell's minute. It seems that there are only three places on the Chatham Islands where a large body of prisoners could be located, viz., 1. "Waitangi; 2. Kaingaroa ;3. Wkangaroa. Captain Thomas is of opinion that Waitangi is the most suitable place for the purpose, as land in sufficient quantity might perhaps be obtained from the Natives for the use of the prisoners, and for cultivation. (Should the Government desire it, the Natives might be induced to sell for the sum of 2s. 6d. per acre; but should the Government prefer leasing the land, it might probably be obtained at a cost of Id. or 2d. per acre. The character of the soil is good, but somewhat hilly and bushy; but the bush is light and penetrable, consisting chiefly of Karaka, a perishable wood, but very well adapted for temporary Native houses. Max and toetoe can be obtained to almost any extent. There is no accommodation of any kind for the prisoners. It would therefore seem necessary either to make provision for their reception, or to supply them with tents until the huts are completed. No immediate cover could be obtained for a guard of from twenty to thirty men, with security for their arms and ammuition; indeed, no house of any description is available. It is therefore suggested that a suitable building, large enough to accommodate thirty men and one officer, should be erected here, and after inspection, taken to pieces, carefully packed, and sent down before the troops leave New Zealand. It would be well to send a carpenter to erect the house and to throw up any other necessary buildings, as there is no competent carpenter on the island. Potatoes sufficient for the support of 500 prisoners could be obtained at from £2 to £3 per ton, and the supply continued until the prisoners were able to gather their own potatoes. Captain Thomas thinks it just possible that the Natives might take advantage of the occasion of so large a number of people being placed on the island without any means of existence, and demand a higher price. Wild bullocks are plentiful, but it is necessary to shoot them ; an amusement not advisable for a stranger to indulge in without a guide, owing to the numerous swamps, presenting the appearance of hard soil, which will take a man up to his middle in an instant. Pigs are plentiful, but they are mostly wild, and not always to be procured. Pork can generally be obtained at prices varying from 3d. to 4d. per Ib. Pish cannot be depended upon, owing to the difficulty experienced in putting to sea to get it. The Europeans at Waitangi are few in number, and widely scattered, although the principal portion on the Island reside here. They are not armed, and from their scattered position could scarcely be relied upon, in the event of their services being required. The Natives are armed but indifferently, but not the Morioris ; only 117 of whom, including women and children remain. Captain Thomas is of opinion that the Natives would not sympathize with the prisoners and aid them against the Government, as they come from the East Coast, and are not in any way related to them. The only means of escape open to the prisoners would be by whalers and coasters. The Natives possess some whale-boats, but they could not easily be used without their knowledge. Kaingaroa is the next suitable place, but only in event of the Natives, ninety-seven in number, carrying out their proposal to return to New Zealand, and locate themselves between Mokau and Waitara. The nature of the land is undulating, swamp, and bush. Two European families only reside here, consequently not much assistance could be rendered by them in an emergency. The same description of food can be obtained here as at Waitangi, and the same means of escape would be open to them. Whangaroa possesses a good harbour, but it is the least fitted for the location of prisoners, owing to the hilly, swampy, and indifferent character of the soil. There is no available bush to be had nearer than six or eight miles from the harbour, approachable by Native tracks only at present. Captain Thomas considers this land worthless unless well and extensively drained. The quality of the land may best be understood by the fact that only three Natives reside here. Should the Government decide upon sending Native prisoners to the Chatham Islands, I would beg to suggest that the following articles be supplied for their use, viz.: — 2 dozen spades. 50 lbs., say, white clover (clean). 2 dozen mattocks. 20 bushels, say, grass seed (clean). 1 dozen axes, small. 2 grindstones. 1 dozen fishing lines. 2 handles for grindstones. 200 fishing hooks (sizes). 2 lamps. -5- dozen zinc buckets. 2 lanterns, strong. 1 cwt. yellow soap. 28 lbs. candles. Towelling coarse. 1 pair steelyards up to 200 lbs. 2 shirts (American) each. 1 pair scales up to 24 lbs. 2 blankets each. 1 dozen iron pots, large size. 1 pair trousers each. 1 dozen iron pots, small size. 1 blue serge shirt each. Tobacco. 25 bushels, say, seed wheat (clean). 17th February, 1866. H. Halse.