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explored some of the fine Swiss-like scenery of the gorges and valleys, and then struck south towards Christchurch; when, after visiting Lakes Coleridge and Ellesmere, I returned by sea to Wellington. 3. I fully satisfied myself on this, as on my previous tours, of the large extent of country available for settlement in nearly all parts of New Zealand. 4. I was everywhere most hospitably entertained at the houses of the leading settlers, many of whom have acquired very large estates in freehold; * and although colonization in this part of the country dates from only twelve or fifteen years back, they already live in good houses, surrounded by all the comforts and nearly all the luxuries enjoyed by country gentlemen in England. Not only have the best breeds of cattle and sheep been imported on the principal stations, but the acclimatization of English deer, pheasants, partridges, and other game, together with thrushes, blackbirds, and other singing birds, is also rapidly progressing. It will be recollected that the Native difficulty does not exist in the Middle Island. 5. I intend to start in a few days on another tour of a very different character from that shadowed forth above. I propose to ride across the centre of the North Island from Wellington to Auckland, by Napier, the great central lake of Taupo, the Hot Lakes, and the Waikato. This journey will probably occupy from a fortnight to three weeks, and much of it will necessarily be of a very rough nature, as lyin* beyond the limits to which colonization has hitherto extended. But it is expected by those who know the Maoris best, that a visit from the Representative of the Queen to the Native tribes of the central interior will be productive of much political advantage ; while confidence in England as to the permanent tranquillity of New Zealand will be confirmed when it is known that the Governor has himself crossed in safety so many of the recently hostile and disaffected districts. 6. I hope that I shall be able to address your Lordship from Auckland by the May mail, and then to report the result of my journey. I have, &c, The Rirfit Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. &■ 11.I1. BOWEN.

No. 60. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. P. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. (No 37 1 Lake of Taupo, My Lord — New Zealand, 9th April, 1872. It is with great satisfaction that I now address your Lordship from the shores of the great Lake of Taupo, the centre of the North Island of New Zealand, and the heart of the Native districts. 2 In my Despatch No. 36, of the Ist instant, written from Wellington, 1 stated' that it was my intention to ride overland to Auckland, as much public advantage is expected to result from the Governor visiting the Maori clans of the interior" Accordingly, I left Wellington on the 2nd instant, and yesterday reached Tapuaeharuru,t the Native pa at the north end of the Lake of Taupo, where I was received with the most cordial respect, and with shouts and chants of CS^lt will he recollected that until within the last few months the chiefs and clans of these central districts (with the single exception of the loyal Chief Pohipi Tukairangi and his followers) were devoted to the so-called Maori King and were bitterly hostile to the sovereignty of the Queen, and to the Colonial Government. In 1869 they joined Te Kooti, when there was much sharp lighting at Tokano and at other points around the Lake with the Colonial forces and with the loyal Natives from Wanganui, led by the gallant Te Kepa (Major Kemp) t The night before last I slept at Opepe, ten miles from my present quarters, where, in June 1869, a detachment of the Colonial Militia was surprised and cut to pieces by Te Kooti. To-morrow I propose to cross the Lake to Tokano, ~ * T staved with o^e eentleman Those freehold estate exceeds 160 square miles, or 100,000 acres of good land. f ThismmT signffies 5 "echoing footsteps," and alludes to the hollow sound of the earth from the volcanic caverns and fires below. Hot springs and geysers abound. I See my Despatches of 1869 and 1870.

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DESPATCHES FROM THE GOVERNOR OF