A.—No. 15e.

12

PAPEES RELATIVE TO PEISONEES AND

the withdrawal of the Colonial troops from this island. Should an outbreak occur, we are actually without the means of defence. We therefore humbly pray you, Honorable Sir, to grant us the protection necessary for our safety. Joseph Mores, JiYancis Dunlop, John Marshall, W. H. Beamish, John Aukland, Henry Baucke, A. Shand, pro A. W. Shand, J.P., J. G. Engst, T. and E. Eitchic, J. F. William, John Amery, Geo. G. Beamish, William White, Geo. Taylor, William Tennant, John Watson, M.D., A. P. Brown, Henry Gason, William Humphreys, Pamariki Baumoa, Robert Williams, Hamuera W. Koteriki, Eiwai Taupato, Wiremu Tamihaua Karewa.

No. 18. Copy of a Letter from Captain Thomas to the L titdeb Seceetaet, Native Department. (No. 35.) Besident Magistrate's Office, Sic,— Chatham Islands, 14th July, 1860. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the number and date as per margin, forwarding me instructions from the Hon. Colonel Haultain with reference to the withdrawal of the military guard from here, and enclosing copy of requisition as approved for September quarter, £270 165., which amount I have duly received per s.s. " St. Kilda." I have, &c, The Under Secretary, Native Department, W. E. Thomas, Wellington. Eesident Magistrate.

No. 552, June 25, 1866.

No. 19. Copy of a Letter from Captain Thomas to the Hon. the Native Ministee. (No. 39.) [Resident Magistrate's Office, Sib, — Chatham Islands, 7th September, ISO 6. As the schooner "Despatch" is now leaving this for Lyttelton, 1 avail myself of the opportunity of communication. I have the honor and satisfaction to report for the information of the Government, that since the date of my last report (14th July, No. 34), the prisoners have continued to remain peaceable and submissive. Some differences have existed amongst themselves, but they appear to have terminated. Since my last communication I have been enabled to make the arrangements necessary that the land offered for their cultivation should be given gratis. The Natives of Waitanga here have also undertaken to supply gratis a portion of seed potatoes, and the prisoners are now on the point of planting them, the land being already cleared. On the arrival of the steamer, it will be necessary for her to fetch the remaining portion of the seed potatoes, as well as some for consumption from the other side of the island, although I have enough in store to last for the next four weeks. As I presume the steamer will arrive here during this current month, I only enclose requisitions for provisions and a further supply of clothing. I have, &c, The Hon. the Native Minister, W. E. Thomas, Wellington. Eesident Magistrate.

No. 20. Copy of a Letter from Captain Thomas to the TJktieb Seceetaby, Defence Department. (No. 45.) Resident Magistrate's Office, Sib,— Chatham Islands, 9th October, 1866. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, of number and date as per margin, referring me to a report in the Wellington local papers, quoted in your letter, with reference to my having convened a meeting of the inhabitants here on the 11th July last, and to my having communicated to them the contents of the Hon. the Defence Minister's despatch in relation to the greater portion of the guard being ordered to return to Napier, at the same time requesting mo to state if this report be true. In reply, I have the honor to state, for the information of the Hon. the Defence Minister, that I have not seen the report referred to, but it would appear, perhaps, as if I had convened the meeting for the purpose of communicating to the inhabitants the purport of the despatch. It is true I did convene the meeting, at the solicitation of the European population of Waitangi, they being much alarmed at the removal of the guard, for the purpose of knowing from Tocnga what protection and assistance he could afford in the event of any outbreak occurring, as he had offered to take charge of the prisoners together with the rest of his people, who now form a minority amongst the Maori population. At the same time I pointed out my belief that there was no cause for alarm. The portion of the despatch which referred to the removal of the guard, viz., the order, I did read, but nothing more.

No. 438, Sept. 27, 1866.