A.—No. 15e

Minister would approve of my purchasing twenty tons for them at the rate of £3 per ton, although I may have some difficulty in obtaining that complement, there being a scarcity of potatoes here this year. I have, <fee, The Under Secretary for Defence, W. E. Thomas, Wellington. Eesident Magistrate.

No. 36. Copy of a Letter from Captain Holt to Captain Thomas. (No. 234-5.) Colonial Defence Office, Sic, — Wellington, 30th September, 1867. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 41, of the 19th ultimo, and to inform you that the Defence Minister has authorized the purchase of twenty tons of potatoes during the current quarter for the use of the Native prisoners. At the same time lam to state that Colonel Haultain considers your conduct most reprehensible in not having seen that proper precautions were taken to secure the potatoes grown by the Maoris from injury by wet I have, &c, Captain Thomas, Eesident Magistrate, J. Holt, Chatham Islands. Under Secretary.

No. 37. Copy of a Letter from Captain Thomas to Captain Holt. (No. 49.) Eesident Magistrate's Office, Sic,— Chatham Islands, 21st October, 1867. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the number and date as per margin, in reply to mine of the 29th July last. In reply, 1 have the honor to state, for the information of the Hon. the Defence Minister, that the " St. Kilda " arrived at these islands on the 12th instant, being obliged by strong winds to visit the northern side of the islands first. 1 beg to acknowledge the receipt of clothing and stores for the use of the guard and prisoners as per schedule enclosed, likewise the sum of £300 by the hands of Captain Fox, and the advice from the Treasury of the payment of the sum of £283 15s. 7d. to my credit, Public Account, Bank of New Zealand, Wellington, as mentioned in your letter. I note your remarks with regard to the 183 twill shirts being forwarded by the next opportunity. I regret that I am not able to report so favourably on the conduct of the guard on this occasion. I beg to enclose herewith the copies of defaulters' sheets of two of the privates who last arrived, who I have been obliged to discharge for the causes assigned, two approved substitutes for whom 1 have taken on. The conduct of the prisoners still remains satisfactory, and in obedience to instructions received from you the three prisoners named in the margin will embark this day on board the " St. Kilda " for conveyance to Wellington. They have each expressed to me their wish to return here, if such a step would be sanctioned, to remain till other prisoners return. I have, &c, The Under Secretary for Defence, W. E. Thomas, Wellington. Eesident Magistrate.

No. 242-5, Oct. 7, 1867.

Te Opira, Peliiinana, Ikaka Poata.

No. 38. Copy of a Letter from Captain Holt to Captain Thomas. (No. 204-5.) Colonial Defence Office, Sic,— "Wellington, 16th November, 1867. I am directed to acknowledge receipt of your letter No. 49, of the 21st ultimo, reporting the arrival of the " St. Kilda," on the 12th October, with supplies, and forwarding requisitions for the March quarter, 186 S. In reply, I am to inform you that the Defence Minister has approved the steps you report having taken in regard to discharging two of the guard, and taking two men on pay in lieu of them. Tour requisitions for money, supplies, clothing, &c, will be complied with on the return of the " St. Kilda" to the Chatham Islands next month. In conclusion, I am to inform you that the Government have not accepted any of the tenders received for supplies for the Chatham Islands, but the "St. Kilda" will be sent with provisions, &c., as heretofore. I have, &c, Captain Thomas, Eesident Magistrate, J. Holt, Chatham Islands. Under Secretary.

No. 39. Copy of a Letter from Captain. Thomas to Captain Holt. (No. 58.) Eesident Magistrate's Office, Sic, — Chatham Islands, 28th November, 1897. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the number and date as per margin, requesting me to state whether the report made by the Native prisoners who returned by the last trip of the " St. Kilda " to Wellington, to the effect " that the prisoners at the Cliathain Islands are employed by settlers at Is. per diem, with rations," is correct.

No. 296-5, Nov. 18,1867.

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PAPERS RELATIVE TO PRISONERS AND