D.- Xo. 1

No. 1. G. F. Bowen, Governor. To the Honorable Theodore Minet Haultatn, and James Townsend Edwards, Esquire, Greeting :— Whereas Her Majesty the Queen has been graciously pleased to sanction the issue to the Colonial Forces in New Zealand of the AVar Medal prepared to commemorate the services of Her Majesty's Imperial Forces engaged in the various military operations in New Zealand during the years 1845, 1846, 1847, 1860, 1861, 1862,1863, 1864, 1865, and 1866, and directed to be issued to Her Majesty's Imperial Forces for such services : And whereas the House of Representatives of New Zealand did, on the first day of September, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-nine, adopt certain resolutions of a Committee of the said House, which were as follows : —" That, in accordance with the report of the Joint Committee, the New Zealand War Medal should be granted to such of the Colonial Forces and friendly Natives in all cases where the claimants have been actually under fire, or otherwise conspicuous for distinguished service in the field. The medal also to be giveD to the nearest relatives of any who have died of wounds or been killed in action." And whereas members of the said Colonial Forces (including friendly Natives), engaged in various military operations in New Zealand, have preferred their claims to the General Government of NewZealand for the grant to them of the said New Zealand AVar Medal; and it is expedient that the said Theodore Minet Haultain and James Townsend Edwards should be appointed for the purpose hereinafter mentioned: Now know ye that, reposing great trust and confidence in your ability, I, Sir George Ferguson Bowen, the Governor of the said Colony, do, with tho advice and consent of the Executive Council of New Zealand, by these presents, authorize and appoint you the said Honorable Theodore Minet Haultain, and James Townsend Edwards, Esq., to be, during pleasure, Commissioners to exercise, do, and perform the following acts, functions, and duties : — To examine and report on all claims which shall from time to time be referred to you the said Theodore Minet Haultain and James Townsend Edwards by the Colonial Secretary, of all persons who, being members of the Colonial Forces or being friendly Natives, have been or are alleged to have been, during the various military operations in New Zealand in the years 1845, 1846, and 1847, and from tho year 1860 to the year 1866 inclusive, also since the year 1866, actually under fire in an} r engagement with the enemy, or have been or are alleged to have been otherwise conspicuous for distinguished service in the field, and who have not, since the time in which they were so under fire or conspicuous for distinguished services as aforesaid, done any act or thing unworthy of a soldier ; and to report the names of all such persons as aforesaid, specifying those who are entitled to receive the said New Zealand AVar Medal. To inquire and ascertain the names (in full), rank, regiments, or corps, of such persons as aforesaid who were killed in action or died from wounds received during any of the military operations above referred to ; and also the names and dates of the actions or services in which, or in consequence of wounds received at which, such persons as aforesaid died. And for all or any of the purposes aforesaid, I do hereby direct you to hear and receive such evidence, whether oral or documentary, as you may think fit: And I do enjoin you, within four calendar months after the date of this commission, or as much sooner as the same can conveniently be done (using all diligence), to report to me all such particulars as you are directed to ascertain and report in the premises, together with such other particulars as you may think fit: And Ido order that this commission shall continue in force, and that you the said Commissioners, or either of you, may proceed in the execution thereof from time to time, and at any place or places, although the same be not continued by adjournment. Given under the hand of His Excellency Sir George Ferguson Bowen, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George, Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over Her Majesty's Colony of New Zealand and its Dependencies, and Vice-Admiral of the same; and issued under the Seal of the said Colony, at the Government House, at Wellington, this third day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy-one. Approved in Council. Forster Goring, Clerk of the Executive Council.

PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE ISSUE OF THE NEW ZEALAND WAR MEDAL.