A.—No. 15b,

GUARD AT THE CHATHAM ISLANDS.

13

I trust that my explanation will assure the Hon. the Defence Minister that I was perfectly unaware of performing any irregular and improper action in the course I took, which I considered at the time to be the most prudent and politic. I have, &c, The Under Secretary for Defence, W. E. Thomas, Wellington. Eesident Magistrate.

No. 21. Copy of a Letter from the Hon. E. W. Stafford to His Honor D. McLean. (No. 783.) Colonial Secretary's Office, Slß,— Wellington, 19th October, 1800. I have the honor to inform you that the steamer " St. Kilda," under the command of Captain Johnson, will proceed to-day to Napier, for the purpose of forthwith taking the Native prisoners captured at the recent engagement near Napier, and a guard of two officers and twenty Native Contingent, to the Chatham Islands. I have accordingly to request you to be good enough to cause the necessary steps to bo taken for the immediate embarkation of these men. The Officer Commanding the Colonial Forces at Napier has been requested to furnish the guard, and to purchase a sufficient number of sheep to supply all on board with fresh meat during the passage, and the guard will remain for the present at the Chatham Islands in charge of the prisoners. A supply of six months' provisions for the guard and the prisoners after their arrival at the Chatham Islands has been placed on board the " St. Kilda," and full instructions have been sent to Captain Thomas, the Resident Magistrate at the Chatham Islands, with respect to the guard and to the prisoners, when they arrive at that place. I have, &c, His Honor D. McLean, E. W. Stafford. Government Agent, Napier.

No. 22. Copy of a Letter from Captain Holt to Captain Thomas. (No. 474-3.) Colonial Defence Office, Sik,— Wellington, 19th October, IS6O. I have the honor to inform you that your letter of the 7th ultimo (No. 39), addressed to the Native Secretary, has just been received, immediately prior to the " St. Kilda " leaving for Napier and the Chatham Islands. In reply, lam directed by the Hon. Mr. Stafford, in the absence of the Defence Minister, to inform you that Captain Johnson, in charge of the " St. Kilda," will place the steamer at your disposal for the purpose of obtaining seed and other potatoes from the other side of the island. I am at the same time to state that the " St. Kilda " must not be detained one moment longer than is absolutely necessary, as it is of importance she should return to Wellington without delay. With regard to the several requisitions forwarded either to this or the Native Office, my letter of to-day's date (No. 473-3) will have informed you that a supply of provisions sufficient for twenty Europeans and fifty Natives for six months is being sent by this opportunity; and as the " St. Kilda " will, when she has taken the prisoners and guard on board at Napier, bo quite full, the only articles of those named in your requisition which can be supplied this trip are the following : —b' cwt soap, 1 cwt. tobacco, 6 gross pipes, 10 lbs. arrowroot, 10 lbs. sago, 1 dozen port wine, 200 fish-hooks, and 24 fishing lines ; clothing for the guard was sent in the schooner " Mying Cloud." I am however to point out to you, in respect to your requisition for provisions and clothing for the prisoners now on the island, that in the opinion of Mr. Stafford some of the articles asked for appear unnecessary, and I am to request you therefore to send, on the return of the " St Kilda," an amended requisition, embracing only such articles as are absolutely necessary, and to bear in mind that the prisoners are to bo induced to work for their livelihood, and not to be maintained in idleness. I have, &c, Captain W. E. Thomas, Ilesident Magistrate, J. Holt, Chatham Islands. Under Secretary.

No. 23. Copy of a Letter from Captain Thomas to the Under Secretary, Defence Department. (No. 55.) Resident Magistrate's Office, Sib, — Chatham Islands, Bth November, 1866. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your three letters, dates and numbers as per margin ; the first by the " Flying Cloud " schooner, and the two last by the " St. Kilda," which last vessel arrived here from Napier on the 26th ultimo, with fifty-six Hauhau prisoners, accompanied by six women and one baby in arms, under charge of a guard, strength as per margin,* the names of the officers being Lieutenant Tuko and Ensign Hamlin. By the " Flying Cloud " I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of £300 in specie, and likewise you inform me that a further sum of £226 10s. will be placed to my public account at the Bank of New Zealand, for departmental expenses, pay of guard (one corporal and three privates), and for the rations of Native prisoners. I also beg to acknowledge the receipt of, by the same vessel, one breech-loading carbine, with 300 rounds ammunition, for my own use, and twenty rifles, with 2,000 rounds of arjmunition, to be issued to such adult Europeans as may wish them, as well as six suits of clothing for the guard. *2 officers, 1 sergeant (European), 9 Europeans, 10 Natives. 4

No. 437-3, Sept. 27, 1866. jSTo. 473-3, Oct. 19, 1866. Wo. 474-3, Oct. 19, 1866.