A. —No. la,

FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO THE GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND.

No. 1. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Bight Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies to Governor Sir G E. Bowen, G.C.M.G. (No. 64.) Sir,— Downing Street, 29th May, 1869. I transmit to you, for the consideration of your Government, a copy of a letter from Mrs. Gascoync, soliciting assistance on the ground of the loss she has sustained in the death of her son, Lieutenant Bamber Gascoyne, who was murdered by the Natives at Taranaki. I have, &c, EREDERIC BOGEBS Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G. (for Earl Granville).

Enclosure in No. 1. Mrs. Gascoiojte to Earl Gbamtille. 19, Upper Park Street, Clifton, Bristol, Mt Lord,— 22nd May, 1869. I have the honor of addressing you in behalf of myself and family, who have just been thrown into the deepest distress by the massacre of my eldest son, Lieut. Bamber Gascoigne, and wife and three children, which took place at Taranaki, the White Cliffs, New Zealand, on the 12th of Eebruary, 1869. I have within the last six months become a widow, and left in very poor circumstances, having a daughter and two sons, the elder in the Bank of England, but the younger totally unprovided for and at home ; he had greatly depended upon his brother Bamber's aid, and is now left upon my small m,eans, which are quite inadequate to start him in life. If the Colonial Government would take my forlorn case into consideration, and kindly assist me with a remuneration for the very sad loss I have sustained, I should feel most grateful. I must add that my late son Bamber served in the Mounted Police Force ten years, and in the Taranaki Militia six ; and in executing his duty, in giving an eye to the redoubt, lost his life and that of his wife and three children. May I pray of you, my Lord, to use your interest for me. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. Earl Granville, K.G. Julia Gascoigne.

No. 2. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Bight Hon. Earl Granville, K.G., to Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G. (No. 81.) Sir, — Downing Street, 6th July, 1869. With reference to the letter addressed from this department to Mr. Eitzherbert on 19th February last, in which he was informed that the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury had no objection to the investment of the Sinking Eund of the New Zealand Loan, 1856, in Colonial Securities, but that they considered that the investments should be confined to the Debentures of Canada, New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia, I have to inform you that their Lordships, having had again under their consideration the question of the investment of the Sinking Eunds of Colonial Loans under the guarantee of the Imperial Government, do not object to the investment of tho Sinking Eund of the New Zealand Loan in the securities of the Colony, nor in the stock of the particular Loan guaranteed, provided that, when once invested, it shall not be sold out except with their sanction. A communication to this effect has been made to the Crown Agents. I have, &c, Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G. GBANVILLE.

DESPATCHES