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No. 19. Copy of DESPATCH from Governor the Right Hon. Sir J. Eergusson, Bart., to the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. (No. 88.) My Lord, — Christchurch, New Zealand, 17th December, 1873. I avail myself of the first despatch of a mail by the new service via California to inform you respecting a slight disturbance among the Native population near Otaki, which may possibly be exaggerated in newspaper reports. 2. I have the honor to state that during last week some acts of violence were committed by the members of a tribe called Muaupoko, by way of the forcible ejectment of members of the tribe Ngatiraukawa from lands occupied by the latter, but adjudged by the Native Land Court to belong to the former in settlement of a dispute of very long standing. The total amount of land awarded was 50,000 acres, but the portion immediately in question had, I understand, been understood to be excepted, on special grounds, from the operation of the award. A chief named Hunia, who has served on our side under Major Kemp, burned the huts and destroyed the crops on this portion, Avhereupon some fighting with firearms ensued, which was at first reported, but is now contradicted, to have been attended with loss of life. The connection of one of the tribes with Waikato rendered the affair more serious than in itself it would have appeared; and some unruly members of the tribes declared an intention of forcing on hostilities. However, the Government officers of the district, acting under instructions from the Native Minister, the Hon. Mr. McLean, have procured the submission of both parties to a reference to a Commission of Government officers. 3. The Native Minister informs me that he has had much reason to be satisfied with the conduct and assistance of Major Kemp. In consequence of these occurrences, I had postponed from day to day my departure by land for Dunedin, but all cause for apprehension is now removed. 4. The altered circumstances of the Government in dealing with any Native disturbance may be estimated by the fact that the Native Minister, who was at the moment on a tour at Turanganui, in Poverty Bay, was able, without delay, to consult with his colleagues and subordinates, and to give his instructions by telegraph, keeping informed the Premier, who is at Dunedin, and myself here; the relative positions corresponding nearly to those of Inverness, Edinburgh, Hull, and London, and the scene of disturbance, being near the West Coast, as Glasgow. Besides this, the highly efficient state of the Armed Constabulary, and their judicious distribution, furnish, if need be, the means of interference and of the arrest of the turbulent in any but the isolated district which I have formerly described. 5. No Europeans were in any way concerned in this affair. I conjecture that the rehearing which the case is now to receive, is and was desired by both parties to the dispute. I have, &c, JAMES EERGUSSON, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. Governor.

No. 20. Copt of DESPATCH from Governor the Right Hon. Sir J. Fergttsson, Bart., to the Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. (No. 95.) My Lord, — Dunedin, New Zealand, 29th December, 1873. In reply to your Circular Despatch No. 1, of the 7th June, 1873, with respect to a proposed convention of the German Empire for the exemption of the subjects of either power from military service, &c, I have the honor to inform you that my Advisers are of opinion, and request me to represent to your Lordship, that when a German has been naturalized and admitted to the privileges of citizenship in a British Colony, he should not be relieved of the duties of that position, especially when, as is generally the case with Germans in New Zealand,