A.—No. la

That Department of Government (the Colonial Office) to which the Colony would naturally look for protection becomes itself the instrument of wrong. In making this public protest, we disclaim all intention of reflecting on Earl Granville. We have regretted that for some time past each successive Secretary of State, on assuming the seals of tho Colonial Department, has been led by wrong information to attach his name to some Despatch, the allegations of which being erroneous, and the tone irritating, if not insulting, the Colonial Government has been forced into a position of hostility with the Colonial Minister, whilst it has always been the earnest desiro of the Colonists, in the most friendly and loyal spirit, to aid that high officer in the discharge of his onerous and difficult duties. We regard the allegations, expressed and implied in Lord Granville's Despatch, as calculated deeply to injure the European population of New Zealand in tho estimation of their fellow-countrymen in Great Britain, to inflame the passions of Natives already in arms against the Government —to produce disaffection among those who are friendly —to drive those who are neutral or wavering into the hostile ranks—and, at the same time, to create a bitter feeling of hostility on the part of the Colonists towards the Government of the Mother Country, which, it is to be feared, may become a national! tradition. The publication in England at the present time was unjust, because the Colonists, not having had time to reply to it, are thus condemned unheard, and suffer prejudice which it may be difficult if not impossible to remove, from groundless charges of the gravest kind circulated without refutation. Wo declare, from our personal knowledge, that the allegations so conveyed or implied against the Colonial Government are without foundation. Equally groundless is tho imputation implied in the Despatch that the Colonists are not exerting themselves to the utmost in their own defence. We regard the action thus taken by tho Imperial Government, accompanied by an absolute refusal of aid to tho Colony under any circumstances, as in the highest degree ungenerous. It is the first time in British history that Great Britain has insultingly refused assistance to her countrymen in danger ! which she herself has been instrumental in erecting. Wo declare that the repudiation of the plain obligation entered into by treaty on Her Majesty's behalf with tho Natives of New Zealand, upon the faith of which they permitted us to colonize the country, is inconsistent with British honor; that it is our belief that such repudiation will be sub- i versivc in the Native mind of all confidence in tho good faith of the European race. We protest that the statement made in the Despatch to the effect that all responsibility arising out of those obligations was transferred to the Colonists at their own demand, is at variance with the circumstances. We feel surprised that such a statement should be made in disregard of the formal I Memorial of the General Assembly of New Zealand in 1862, expressly declining to accept such responsibility. We regard the Despatch itself as fraught with danger to the Colony. The moment it becomes known in the Colony it will be interpreted by Natives, and circulated amongst their fellow-country-men. This will occur simultaneously with the removal of the last regiment. Our friendly Native Allies will thus bo told that the Queen has withdrawn the protection to what they have been accustomed to look in the last resort in the part they have taken in support of the Queen's Government against their own countrymen ; whilst the whole body of the Natives will be taught to regard the Colonists of New Zealand as their oppressors, who have brought their present danger on themselves by neglect of their obligations and wrongful usurpation of Native land; and they will learn to regard, under the sanction of Imperial authority, the massacre of missionaries, Avomen, and children, as mere acts of reprisal. Lastly, we declare with sorrow our conviction that the policy which is being pursued towards New Zealand will have the effect of alienating tho affections of Her Majesty's loyal subjects in that country, i and is calculated to drive the Colony out of the Empire. G. Grey, Late Governor of New Zealand. CnAs. Clifford, Late Speaker of the House of Representatives. Heney Sewell, Eormerly Colonial Secretary and late AttorneyGeneral of New Zealand. 11. A. Atkinson, Late Minister of Colonial Defence. J. Logan Campbell, Late Member of the Executive Council, and Superintendent of the Province of Auckland.

No. 15. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to the Right Hon. Earl Granville, K.G. (No. 113.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord, — New Zealand, 4th September, 1869. I have the honor to transmit herewith a copy of the charge delivered on the Ist instant to the Grand Jury at Wellington, by Mr. Justice Johnston, at the opening of the sittings of the Supreme Court, at which the Colonial GoA'ernment 10

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AND THE GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND.