A.—No. Lb

intends to put on their trial a number of the Maori prisoners, of whom there are now nearly one hundred (100) men in confinement here. 2. It AAdll be seen that the learned Judge practically indorses the view taken of the political and legal status of the Maoris by the Attorney-General of New Zealand in the opinion which Avas transmitted with my Despatch No. 83, of the 7th July ultimo, and of Avhich, for facility of reference, I again annex copies. 3. I also take this opportunity of forwarding copies of " The Disturbed Districts " Act, 1869" (32 and 33 Victoria, No. 20). In this measure, Avhen first proposed to the Colonial Parliament, there were provisions for the summary trials by CourtsMartial, composed of officers of the Colonial forces; and for superseding or overriding the ordinary tribunals to an extent which appeared scarcely to be justified by the necessity of the case, seeing that there is no reason to suppose that the Supreme Court and the civil juries are unable or unwilling to administer, with a severity sufficiently deterrent, impartial justice to both races of the inhabitants of this country. Mr. Justice Johnston was requested to give evidence on this subject before a Select Committee of the Legislative Council; and the Bill was amended in. accordance, to a great degree, with the vieAvs of that able Judge. I then assented to it on behalf of the Crown. Annexed are copies of the Memorandum of the evidence given, and of the suggestions offered by Mr. Justice Johnston. 4. The September mail will be closed at Wellington on this day ; but by the next opportunity I aa ill forward reports of the proceedings on the trials of the Maori prisoners, and of the result. My Ministers agree with me that, under the peculiar circumstances of this Colony, no capital sentence should be carried out against persons convicted of haAdng merely carried arms against the Queen. The law must, howeA rer, take its course in the case of persons, Avhether Europeans or Natives, found guilty of murder. I have, &c, The Right Hon. Earl Granville, K.G. G. E. BOWEN.

No. 16. TELEGRAM received from Sir G. E. Boaven (through the Governor of Ceylon), dated 7th August, 1869. " Ministers request me to state that Resolutions have been passed almost " unanimously, by both Houses of NeAV Zealand Parliament, praying for detention "of 18th Regiment as a garrison, and moral support. An Act has been passed " and transmitted, binding the Colony to pay whatever contribution the Imperial " Government may demand. If sanctioned, request that a telegram may be " immediately sent to General Chute, at Melbourne. The steamer leaves Ceylon " for New Zealand on 6th October."

No. 17. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to the Right Hon. Earl Granville, K.G. (Confidential.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord, — New Zealand, 17th September, 1869. Since I wrote my "Confidential" Despatch of the 30th August, ultimo, I have received a copy of the first part of the papers concerning the New Zealand Avar recently presented to the Imperial Parliament. It is satisfactory to perceive that my general " Confidential" report of 7th December, 1868, has been published in extenso; for, as your Lordship is already aAvare, the leading public men of all parties in this Colony believe that report to contain an exhaustive summary of the political condition, prospects, and requirements of New Zealand; and think that its publication in this country (where it will now be reprinted from the Parliamentary Blue Book in the chief local journals,) Avill be productive of much public adA'antage. 2. As your Lordship's Despatches Nos. 12, 27, 28, and 43 of 1869, and " Confidential" of the 12th June ultimo, have been published in Part I. of the

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DESPATCHES EROM THE SECRETARY OE STATE