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second Maori wars, and especially in the years 1864 and 1865. In the early part of the former year, a large party of Hauhaus from the interior attempted to descend the river, with the object of sacking and burning the town; but they were met and utterly defeated by the loyal Maoris in the fiercely contested battle of Moutoa (14th May, 1864). A handsome monument has been erected in the market-place of Wanganui, by the Provincial Government of Wellington, to the memory of the Natives who fell at Moutoa.* 9. On my return last week overland from Wanganui to Wellington, I found everything tranquil and prosperous, where, on my previous journey through the same districts in November, 1868, all was confusion and terror. The colonists are everywhere improving their homesteads and steadily extending their farms; while the Maoris, who were recently on the point of coming to blows among themselves respecting the ownership of some land at Horowhenua, near Otaki, have listened to the advice and exhortations of myself and of Mr. McLean, and agreed to submit their pretensions to arbitration. 10. During the week which I have just passed at Wanganui, the town was crowded by several thousand happy holiday-makers from the neighbouring districts, and balls, concerts, and other public amusements took place daily. On the other hand, during 1868, I wrotet that the rebels had " murdered or driven off " all the farmers to within a short distance of our fortified posts. The men, having " lost in a few days the fruits of the industry of many years, are, for the most part, " under arms in the redoubts, while their families have taken refuge in Wanganui. " It is a piteous sight which the streets of this town now present almost hourly, " with destitute women and children flocking in for food and shelter; moreover, " two nights ago a false alarm was raised by a mounted patrol that had heard the " yells of a party of marauders, that Titokowaru was attacking the town in force. " The Militia and Volunteers stood generally to their arms, and assembled at their " respective posts, while the women and children ran for refuge to the fortified " barracks and block-houses." As has been already observed, the contrast between the present state of this part of the Colony and its condition three years ago is equally striking and gratifying. But I can assure your Lordship that the necessary precautions against possible outbreaks in the future have not been neglected. Eortified outposts at Waihi and elsewhere are still held permanently by strong detachments of the Colonial forces, while every district has its own redoubt and block-house, and its several corps of Militia and Volunteers, well armed and organized, of whom I passed in review a large body at Wanganui on the day of the opening of the bridge. Again, as was stated above, Te Kepa and the other loyal Maori chiefs assured me that they will always be ready, in case of need, to take up arms once more for the Queen and for the cause of law and order. I have, &c, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. G. E. BO WEN.

No. 34. Copt of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. P. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. (No. 121.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord, — New Zealand, 19th December, 1871. In continuation of my Despatch No. 109, of the 20th November ultimo, and in the terms of the Circular Despatch of the 9th June ultimo, I have now the honor to transmit nineteen copies of each of the Acts passed during the Session for 1871 of the New Zealand Parliament, together with the customary synopsis or report from the Attorney-General. 2. Copies of the Papers laid before the Legislature have been forwarded by every monthly mail. The annual volume of Papers, or " Appendix to the Journals " for 1871, will be forwarded so soon as it is issued by the Government Printer. * A full account of the fighting near Wanganul in 1864 and 1865 will be found in Mr. Fox's " War in Sew Zealand," chapters 9 and 14, and in tho Parliamentary and other official Papers of those years, t See Governor's Despatch No. 116, of 17th November, 1868. 9

Enclosure 1. Copies of Acts. Enclosure 2. Report from the AttorneyGrencral.

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NEW ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OE STATE.