A.—No. la,

TO THE GOVERNOR OE NEW ZEALAND.

15

I have had much satisfaction in directing these documents to be forwarded to the Public Offices and Scientific Societies where they are likely to be of use. I haA'e, &c., Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G. GRANVILLE.

No. 26. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Bight Hon. Earl Granville, E.G., to Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G. (No. 130.) Sir, — Downing Street, 13th December, 1869. I have received your Despatch No. 124, of the 18th September last, recommending that the members of the late Ministry, of New Zealand, viz., Messrs. E. W. Stafford, W. Eitzherbert, J. Hall, J. C. Bichmond, and Colonel T. M. Haultain, should be permitted to retain the title of Honorable; and I have to acquaint you that the Queen has been graciously pleased to approve of those gentlemen retaining the title Within New Zealand. In conveying Her Majesty's decision,'"TEave" much pleasure in placing on record my appreciation of the services rendered to the Colony by Mr. Stafford during a long and distinguished political career, and by Mr. Eitzherbert in the able and judicious conduct of his recent negotiations with the Government of this country, respecting the adjustment of the Imperial and Colonial claims arising out of the war in New Zealand. I have, &c, Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G. GRANVILLE.

No. 27. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Bight Hon. Earl Granville, E.G., to Governor Sir G. E.'Bowen, G.C.M.G. (No. 131.) Sir, — Downing Street, 27th December, 1869. With reference to your Despatch No. 125, of the 18th September last, I have the honor to acquaint you that Her Majesty has been graciously pleased to issue the final authority for the appointment of Colonel Whitmore to be a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George. The grant of the dignity, together with the insignia, will be conveyed to that officer by the Secretary of the Order. I have, &c, Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G. GRANVILLE.

No. 28. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. Earl Granville, E.G., to Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G. (No. 132.) Sir,1 — Downing Street, 27th December, 1869. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 128, of 19th September, enclosing a Memorandum from your Ministers relative to the Commissioners who are about to proceed to this country to confer with the Imperial Government, and other papers showing the views of your Advisers on the present state of New Zealand. It is unnecessary that I should add anything to my previous Despatches on the subject of retaining Imperial Troops in the Colony ; but your Ministry may be assured that Her Majesty's Government desire to give the Commissioners the most cordial assistance in such measures, not involving the employment of the, Queen's Troops, as they may find requisite for the organization of a defensive' force, or, as far as their duty allows, in any other matter affecting the w relfare of the Colony; and they earnestly concur in the hope expressed by Mr. Eox, that