A.—Ko. 1

DESPATCHES FROM THE GOVERNOR OE NEW

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fully five hundred horsemen assembled in one day at Greytown, the principal centre of population in the Wairarapa, and I was escorted through the district by a strong detachment of Volunteer Cavalry. The usual addresses of respect and welcome were presented to me by both the Europeans and Maoris, and a public concert and ball were given in my honor at Greytown. These festivities, as also the horse-races held on one of the days of my visit, were attended not only by the English settlers, but also by the leading Maoris of the neighourhood. 3. There is a considerable Maori population, including many Hauhaus, in some parts of the valley, and of the slopes of the surrounding mountains. At the usual korero, or Native meeting, I was addressed in loyal and pacific speeches by the principal chiefs, who, however, did not conceal their apprehension of the possible invasion of the Wairarapa by the hostile Natives, and of the disastrous consequences which would ensue should Tawhiao take the field, and call the entire Maori race to arms against the English. There can be no doubt but that the Natives generally are watching the progress of events, and in particular the removal of the Queen's troops, with gloomy irresolution, and that very much depends on the success of the negociations recently entered upon with the view of securing at least the neutrality of the so-called Maori King. 4. Meanwhile, the settlers in the Wairarapa, as in most other parts of this Island, seem to be now prepared to defend, in case of need, their lives and homes. Nearly every able-bodied man in the valley is armed and drilled; while a redoubt and blockhouse have been erected in a central position, as a place of refuge for the women and children, in the event of an outbreak. 5. I may be permitted to take this opportunity of mentioning that, on my journey back from the Wairarapa, I took the opportunity of visiting, at his hainga or village, about twenty miles from Wellington, the famous Ngatiawa chief Taringa Kuri {i.e. dog's ear), the last survivor of those who had seen Captain Cook on one of his later voyages to New Zealand. The first English settlers in this country state that Taringa Kuri was a very old man on their first arrival here, thirty years ago, and his age is now generally believed to exceed considerably one hundred years. He is extremely feeble, but, in common with his people, he expressed much gratification at my visit. I have, &c, His Grace the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos. G. E. BOWEN.

No. 21. Copt of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. F. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to the Right Hon. Earl Granville, K.G. (No. 26.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord, — New Zealand, 4th March, 1869. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's Despatch No. 4, of the 18th December ultimo, informing me, in reply to my Despatch No. 97, of the 29th September ultimo, that the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have stated that any nautical information or corrections for the Admiralty Charts which the Colonial authorities of New Zealand may furnish, will be gladly received and made available by their Board. 2. I had requested Commodore Lambert to examine the surveys and plans of the New Zealand coasts, as executed by the Marine Surveyor of this Colony, and I now transmit a copy of the letter addressed to me by that officer on this subject. It will be seen that Commodore Lambert highly commends the work that has been already done, and states that he will have much pleasure in forwarding it to the Hydrographer, with a recommendation that the corrections and alterations be adopted in the next chart published of New Zealand. 3. On behalf of the Colonial Government I request your Lordship to convey to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty the expression of its gratification at the assistance thus readily granted, and the assurance of its earnest desire to continue to co-operate zealously in a work so useful to British commerce. I have, &c, The Right Hon. Earl Granville, K.G. G. P. BO WEN.