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6. There is yet one precautionary measure of another kind which is under consideration. The Native Land Acts, by which Courts have been established to enable Native owners of land to ascertain their ownership and to individualize (if they think fit) their titles, are in some respects defective. These Acts have come frequently under my judicial cognizance, and their procedure has appeared to me a little too summary to meet the idiosyncrasies of Maori character. Mr. Commissioner Mackay, however, acting under instructions, has not failed to draw Eewi's attention to the fact that the New Zealand Parliament would have listened to any petition from Purukutu if he had felt wronged by his co-owners dealing with his lands under those Acts, and reminded him how, upon the petition of some dissatisfied Ahuriri Natives, the Parliament has lately passed an Act under which an experienced Judge of the Supreme Court, aided by a Judge of the Native Lands Court so well known to the Native race as Judge Maning, as also by distinguished Native chiefs for his assessors, has been patiently inquiring into the petitioner's complaints. The Government have under consideration the improvement of those now embarrassing enactments, and they may possibly introduce a Native Lands Act Consolidation Act in the coming Session of the General Assembly. 7. The excitement which for a time prevailed in the Upper Waikato district has subsided, and the settlers are following their ordinary pursuits. I have therefore every confidence that when Sir James Eergusson, who is expected shortly, arrives, His Excellency will assume the government of the Colony with its peace undisturbed and its prosperity advancing. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. G. A. AENEY.

No. 5. Copy of DESPATCH from Governor the Eight Hon. Sir J. Fergtjssox, Bart., to the Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. (No. 49.) ■ Government House, "Wellington, My Lord, — New Zealand, 27th June, 1873. At the desire of my Advisers, I have the honor to ask your Lordship to request the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to instruct the Officer in Command of the Australian Station to officially examine and report on the rope and twine made from New Zealand Phormium. 2. The Government of New Zealand will undertake to supply the rope, &c, in such quantity as the officer appointed to make the examination may require. 3. My Advisers observe that Phormium rope was supplied to a vessel called the " Eesaca," belonging to the Government of the United States, and also to a vessel called the " Vettor Pisani," belonging to His Italian Majesty. In both cases the captains, it was understood, intended to report officially the results of the trials they intended to institute. I have, &c, JAMES FEEGUSSON, The Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. Governor.

No. 6. Copy of DESPATCH from Governor the Right Hon. Sir J. Fergussok, Bart., to the Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimbbblbt. (No. 50.) Government House, "Wellington, My Loud, — New Zealand, 27th June, 1873. I have been requested by my Advisers to inform your Lordship that they are very anxious to establish a training ship for the education of boys for the New Zealand Mercantile Marine, and I have the honor to request that you will have the goodness to bring their case to the favourable consideration of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, with a view to their Lordships granting to the Colony one of H.M. ships on similar terms to those upon which the " Nelson " was given to the Colony of Victoria, and is now used for a like purpose with great