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Enclosure 1.

approaching departure from New Zealand consequent thereon, had become known to the Maoris, and the leading chiefs came forward to express their regret, and their assurance that if I would visit Foxton on my return from the Gorge of the Manawatu they and their respective clansmen would forget their mutual animosities and gladly hold an united meeting to bid me farewell. I was amply rewarded for my ready consent to this invitation by the enthusiastic greeting which I received from the assembled clans, and by the speeches of the principal chiefs, all full of loyalty to the Queen and of goodwill to myself. I annex a brief summary which has appeared in a Wellington newspaper. 8. It will be seen that, in the course of my address in reply, after expressing my deep sense of the respect and courtesy of the Maoris, I spoke to the following effect: — " O my Friends, the mere fact of the assemblage on this occasion of all the " leading chiefs and tribes of the southern districts of this Island is of itself a " patent proof of the vast improvement which has taken place among you during " the last few years. For why arc you assembled here ? To attend the sitting of " the Native Lands Court, which is to decide, according to law, questions of land " tenure and ownership, which, at a time within the memory of most of you, "would have been decided by war and bloodshed. It is right and just that the " Maoris should support the laws which govern all alike who dwell in this " country, for the Maoris have now an adequate voice and influence in making " these laws. As you all know, Maoris now sit in the three great Councils of the " Colony—in the two Houses of Parliament which frame the laws, and in the " Executive Council which administers them. " Moreover, Maoris sit as Assessors to the Judges in the Native Lands " Courts, and advise them all on all points affecting Native rights and customs. " My friends, it is the pleasure of our Queen, and it is the earnest desire of myself " and of all the other Europeans of all parties and classes of this community, that " the two races, the white skin and the brown, may live under equal laws in peace " and friendship, and may finally grow into one people. And now, my friends, " farewell. My successor in the government will, lam sure, feel the same warm " interest in your welfare which I have ever felt. As for myself, remember my " last words to you : They are an earnest exhortation to you to continue to live "in peace and friendship among yourselves and with your European fellow- " subjects ; and an humble prayer to God, the giver of all good, to pour His bless- " ing in your homes and families." 9. As it is stated in the annexed report, my speech was received with very hearty applause by the Maoris; while the presence at an united meeting with the Governor of all the rival clans will be productive of much public advantage. I have now exchanged farewells and good wishes with the tribes of the South ; and it is proposed that a similar meeting of the tribes of the North shall be held in next March, at Auckland, whence I am to take my final departure from New Zealand. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. G. F. BOWEN.

No. 5. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. P. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimbekxey. (No. 20.) Government House, Auckland, My Lord, — New Zealand, 6th March, 1873. I have the honor to report that Mr. Waterhouse, the Premier, unexpectedly caused a brief " Ministerial Crisis," by placing his resignation in my hands a few days before the time fixed for my final departure from Wellington. 2. There has been no difference whatsoever between the Governor and the Ministry; nor had any serious dissensions arisen in the Cabinet itself, as will appear from the enclosed Memorandum addressed to Mr. Waterhouse by the other Ministers present, when they first heard of the action which he intended to