TO NATIVE AFFAIRS.

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A.—No. 16.

No. 36. G. F. Bowen, Governor. The following Gentlemen have been appointed by His Excellency the Governor to be members of a Board to advise the Government on Native affairs in Taranaki. His Honor the Superintendent Charles Brown, Esq., M.H.E. Thomas Kelly, Esq., M.H.E. Wm. Halse, Esq. Robert Parris, Esq. Thomas King, Esq. 15th November, 1869. Donald M'Lean.

No. 37. (Circular). Hon. Mr. M'Lean to Mr. Parris. Mr. King, Mr. Wm. Halse, Mr. Carrington, Mr. Brown, and Mr. Kelly. General Government Buildings, Sir, — Auckland, December 16th, 1869. I have the honor to acquaint you that his Excellency the Governor has been pleased to appoint you a member of a Board to give advice on matters relating to native affairs, in so far as they are likely to affect the interests of the Province of Taranaki. The Government is induced to adopt this course for many reasons, the chief of which are as follows : First. The present isolated position of Taranaki, and the want of ready communication with the Seat of Government, renders it desirable that a local board should be constituted, composed of gentlemen, who, from their local knowledge and experience, are capable of suggesting practical remedies to meet differences as they arise between the races. Secondly. From this isolation, and the peculiar circumstances of the Taranaki Province, important and responsible duties have devolved upon the officer of the Native Department, whose acts, however well conceived, have frequently been made the subject of animadversion, arising, it is believed, in a great measure from mis-apprehension, and an absence of the knowledge of the circumstances by which he was guided. It is with the intention of mitigating the apparent antagonism which has consequently arisen, that the Government desire to enlist the services of experienced men of the Province, in the hope that they may be the means of allaying the feeling of dissatisfaction which has existed in the conduct of native affairs at Taranaki. Such are the principal reasons which have led the Government to constitute the Board, of which you have been appointed a member. It is impossible to give any definite instructions as to the particular description of cases likely to come under the cognizance of the Board, nor do I think it would be right to fetter its action by giving specific instructions ; such a course might defeat the objects the Government had in view in appointing the Board. There have been, and there doubtless will be again, a variety of cases in which the Government could be greatly aided by the advice of gentlemen intimately connected with the interests of the Province. In regard therefore to instructions, the Board is asked, to advise in those matters more particularly affecting the interests of both races at Taranaki. The Civil Commissioner, who is also a member of the Board, is instructed to furnish it with the fullest information on native questions. The Board will choose its own Chairman, but the Civil Commissioner should in no case be elected to that office. Minutes of meetings should be carefully kept, and copies of proceedings be transmitted by the Chairman from time to time to the Minister for Native Affairs. In cases where a difference of opinion may arise between the Civil Commissioner and a majority of the Board, as to the course to be adopted in any particular case, the question shall be referred to the General Government for final decision. The Civil Commissioner will be instructed to find the necessary machinery, including clerical assistance, which the Board may require in carrying out its duties. It is suggested that at an early meeting the Board will, through its Chairman, submit to the Government a code of rules and regulations, with such other recommendations as may be considered necessary to its efficient working. I have, &c, Donald M'Lean.

No. 38. His Honor Mr. Carrington to the Hon. the Native Minister. Superintendent's Office, Sir,— New Plymouth, 22nd December, 1869. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, dated the 16th December, 1869, in which you acquaint me that his Excellency the Governor has been pleased to appoint me a member of a Board to give advice on matters relating to native affairs in so far as they are likely to affect the interests of the Province of Taranaki. 8