NEW ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

A.—No. 1

51

and his colleagues in the Ministry were decidedly of opinion that it would be safe and politic to grant this petition, and the remaining prisoners will consequently be set at liberty forthwith. It is satisfactory to be enabled to report that at the end of this month no Maori will be under confinement for any political offence. I have, &c, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. G. E. BOWEN.

Enclosure 2 in No. 44. Exteact of the Minutes of Proceedings of the Executive Council of New Zealand, 26th December, 1871. At the Government House, at Wellington. Present: His Excellency the Governor in Council. His Excellency the Governor, at the instance of the Colonial Secretary, invites the attention of the Council to the Eeports and Notes of Evidence taken by His Honor Mr. Justice Johnston, at the trial before the Supreme Court, on the 21st instant, of Kereopa, for the murder of the Eev. C. S. Volkner, on the 2nd March, 18G5. His Honor Mr. Justice Johnston being in attendance, is called in, and after full consideration the Council unanimously advised that, in the terms of the Judge's report, there is no reason why the law should not take its course and the sentence of death be carried out. The Council further expressed their adherence to the advice given on former occasions; namely, that, under the very peculiar circumstances of New Zealand, no Maori should, as a general rule, suffer death after conviction of having carried arms against the Queen, unless such high treason should have been accompanied (as in Kereopa's case) with murder in cold blood, or other atrocities. His Excellency the Governor expressed his entire concurrence in the advice given, and directed the necessary orders herein to be issued accordingly. Fostee Goeixg, Clerk of the Executive Council.

No. 45. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimbebxey. (No. 11.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord, — New Zealand, 12th January, 1872. With reference to your Lordship's Circular Despatch of the 25th October ultimo, I am requested by my Responsible Advisers to state that arrangements will be made forthwith for the payment of Imperial pensions in New Zealand, on the terms agreed upon with the War Office. I have, &c, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. G. P. BOWEN.

No. 46. Copt of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to the Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimbekley. (No. 12.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord, — New Zealand, 13th January, 1872. With my Despatch No. 76, of the 30th August ultimo, I transmitted, with remarks, copies of several Parliamentary Papers then just presented to the Colonial Legislature, namely, " Abstracts of certain Principal Results of the Census of New " Zealand, taken for the night of the 27th February, 1871;" and " Statistical " Tables, in anticipation of the Annual Volume of Statistics of New Zealand for " 1870." 2. I have now the honor to forward, for insertion in the Blue Book showing the condition of the Colonies, which is periodically presented to the Imperial Parliament, the Annual Report of the Registrar-General of New Zealand. This document will be found to contain valuable facts and observations respecting the results of the Census of 1871, and the general progress of this country. 3. It has been thought advisable to forward this Report by the mail of this month. I will transmit the collected volume of Statistics so soon as I receive it from the Government Printer. lam informed that there has been some unavoid-