NEW ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OE STATE.

19

A.—No. 1.

No. 8. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to the Right Hon. Earl Granville, K.G. (No. 84.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord, — New Zealand, Bth July, 1869. In continuation of my Despatch No. 52, of the 2nd May ultimo, transmitting a Memorandum from Colonel Haultain, I have uoav the honor to forward a Memorandum from Mr. McEcan, the neAV Minister for Native Affairs and for Defence, shoAAung his AdeAV of the progress of Avarlike operations and of the general condition of this Colony during the months of May and June. 2. It will be perceived that the present Ministry intend shortly to express their opinions as to the state of the country at greater length in a separate Memorandum, Avhich I shall also transmit Avhen I receive it. It appears from several of your Eordship's recent Despatches, and especially from No. 30 and No. 43, that statements have been made, in certain neAVspapers and other quarters in England, reflecting on the capacity, honor, and humanity of the public men who have been struggling, against great and manifold difficulties, to maintain the Queen's supremacy, and to protect the lives of Her Majesty's subjects in New Zealand against the Maori rebels. It seems, therefore, to be a matter of simple justice that I should continue, as heretofore, to forward periodically official reports from the Ministers for the time being, stating their own case. I shall also continue to forward by the mail of every month copies of the New Zealand Hansard, containing the debates in the local Legislature ; of all Parliamentary and other official documents of importance; and of the principal neAvspapers of all political views. 3. On the present occasion I transmit herewith, in addition to Mr. McLean's Memorandum, " Papers relative to Military Operations against the Rebel Natives," containing the letters and reports received from Colonel Whitmore and other officers in the field; also Maps, showing the districts in Avhich the fighting has been carried on, together Avith the " States" exhibiting the strength and distribution of the Colonial Eorces on the 30th June ultimo. I have, &c, The Right Hon. Earl Granville, K.G. G. E. BOWEN. P.S.—I annex also a Parliamentary Paper containing " Reports from Officers in Native Districts." G. E. B.

Enclosure 1. Memorandum by Mr. McLean July 3, 1869.

Enclosures 2 to 4 See Appendix to Journals of the House of Eepresentatives, 1869. A.—No. 3. A.—No. 3a. A.—No. 3b. Enclosures 5 to 8 See Appendix to Journals of the House of Representatives, 1869. A.—No. 3h. Enclosures 9 and 10. " States." Enclosure 11. See Appendix to Journals of the House of Representatives, 1869. A.—No. 10.

Enclosure 1 in No. 8. Memorandum by Mr. McLean. Wellington, 3rd July, 1869. Since the date of the last Memorandum, the Ist May, several expeditions have been undertaken into the enemy's country, in the interior of the Island, but these expeditions have not been attended with any beneficial result. Colonel "Whitmore having penetrated, to a certain extent, the rough Uriwera country, found himself obliged to retire, and established a post on the edge of the forest, in the Rangitaika District, within reach of his base of operations at the Bay of Plenty. The column from Wairoa, mentioned in Colonel Haultain's Memorandum of Ist May, having been unable to effect a junction or operate successfully against the enemy, is beiug recalled. The enemy, however, has been on the alert, and finding himself no longer followed up, he broke out of the bush country and made for Lake Taupo, probably wiih a view of ultimately joining his forces with those of the King party. His numbers are estimated jX from 300 to 400, horse and foot. On his march he fell in with a small party of cavalry at a village on the road, of whom he killed ten men, one officer alone escaping of the party. He also took by surprise the pa of a friendly chief, who was himself absent with most of his men. A total of twenty-one were killed at this place, including women and children. He then established himself at a Hauhau pa on the southern shore of the Taupo Lake, and has since succeeded in capturing Te Heu Heu, a young friendly chief of high caste, whom, at the latest advices, he was holding as a prisoner. The scouting operations on the West Coast have resulted in the capture of tho Maoris recently arms against us, who have surrendered to the number of about 3U0 —men, women, and children. These operations are described in detail in the various Despatches and Reports from officers in the ield, which have been published, and are hereunto appended. The state of the tribes throughout the Island is unsettled and unsatisfactory. The attitude of the Maori King, with a force of 1,700 men, exclusive of numerous adherents in different parts of the