NEW ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

59

A.—No. 1

coves of Port Underwood and of Queen Charlotte's and Pelorous Sounds, anchoring for one day at Ship Cove, which Captain Cook made his principal station in these waters. These deep arms of the sea, winding round mountains and ridges clothed with dense forest, present a succession of striking pictures. In addition to the inhabitants of the townships of Picton and Havelock, small settlements of whalers, fishermen, and woodcutters, have established themselves in several of the coves. A gold field has been discovered near Havelock, at the head of the Pelorus Sound ; and excellent fish and timber abound everywhere. From the precipitous nature of the country there are few acres in any one spot that could be brought under cultivation. "The soil, however," as it has been remarked by Admiral Richards,* " accords with the luxuriant mountain vegetation, being generally of " the richest loam and of considerable depth ; the geological feature of the points " and banks of the rivers is soft clay slate, with frequent veins of quartz an inch " thick ; the whole country abounds in it, blocks being found on the hills; and the " beach is strewed with quartz pebbles." 7. It is believed that while pastoral and agricultural settlement will continue to extend on the main land of Marlborough, it will be found desirable to place some of the Norwegian emigrants, now on their voyage to New Zealand, on the shores of these Sounds, which will remind them in so many respects of the fiords of their native land. I have, &c, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. G. F. BOWEN.

No. 51. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. F. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to the Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. (No. 20.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord, — New Zealand, 13th February, 1872. I have the honor to report that the intelligence of the recent dangerous illness of the Prince of Wales, which reached New Zealand by the mails via Suez and via San Francisco, during the month of January last, called forth a general sympathy, which proves (if indeed any proof were wanting) the strength of the loyal attachment of all classes in this community to the Crown and to the Royal Family. 2. It has been remarked here that in the old French Monarchy the children of the Sovereign were called the " Children of France " (JDes enfans de France) ; and that although the English people do not use the same graceful phrase, they feel thoroughly the sentiment which it expresses. It has been my agreeable duty to report, in several previous Despatches, the affectionate and enthusiastic respect with which the Duke of Edinburgh was received in New Zealand on his visits in 1869 and 1870 ; and I now assure your Lordship that it has been truly observed in the public Press that there is scarcely a household in this Colony in which the illness of the Prince of Wales was not deplored during several weeks past- —almost as would be that of an honored relative. 3. The mail via San Francisco, which arrived last week, brought telegrams from London extending to the 6th of January ultimo, and announcing the convalescence of His lioyal Highness. The joy is now universal and sincere. Thanksgivings were offered last Sunday in all the churches, as prayers had been offered on several previous Sundays, for the Prince's recovery. 4. I may mention as a sign of the general feeling, that on the evening of the day on which the good news reached the most populous city in New Zealand, the theatre was crowded, and before the play began the large aiidience rose en masse, and called for "God save the Queen," and "God bless the Prince of Wales," which were sung in chorus by all present. I must not forget to add that the Maoris everywhere expressed their satisfaction at the restored health of the " Son of the Queen " {te tamaiti o te Kuini). 5. The Colonial Parliament is not now in Session, otherwise both Houses *In the " New Zealand Pilot."