H.—39

1877. NEW ZEALAND.

TITLES, HONORS, AND DECORATIONS CONFERRED UPON COLONISTS OF NEW ZEALAND (CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO).

Eeturn to an Address of the House of Representatives, 27th, July, 1877. " That a respectful address be presented to His Excellency the Governor requesting that lie will cause to be laid before this Houbc copies of all correspondence between any Secretary of State and the Governor of New Zealand, during the years 1860 to 1877, inclusive, relative to any titles or honors or decorations conferred, or proposed to be conferred, upon colonists of New Zealand, who have held office under the Crown in this colony, or who are or have been members of either branch of the Legislature, together with all farther correspondence on the subject."— (Sir d. Grey.)

No. 1. Despatch No. 132. —Auckland, 4th December, 1860. —Submitting the names of Mr. F. D. Bell, Mr. Donald McLean, and Lieut.-Colonel Nugent for seats in the Native Council; also recommending Mr. Donald McLean for some mark of Her Majesty's approbation for his long and faithful services. Copy of Despatch from Governor Sir T. Gore Browne to His Grace the Duke of Newcastle. (No. 132.) Government House, Auckland, New Zealand, My Lord Duke, — 4th December, 1860. I have the honor to submit to your Grace the names of three gentlemen for seats in the Native Council should Her Alajesty be pleased to assent to the Native Council Bill, which I forward by this mail: — To be Secretary —Francis Dillon Bell, Esq. Paid Member —Donald McLean, Esq. Paid Member—Lieut.-Colonel Charles L. Nugent (late sSth Regiment). I beg to call your Grace's attention to the correspondence which accompanies this despatch, by which you will see that, to my great regret, Sir Wm. Martin has declined an unpaid seat in the Council for the reasons he assigns. Mr. McLean also disapproves of the altered relations established by the Native Council Bill, and it is only at my earnest solicitation that he has been induced to accept a seat should your Grace, after full consideration of all the circumstances of the case, recommend Her Majesty to assent to the Act passed by the Assembly. On the reasons given by these gentlemen I need make no comment. Tour Grace will perceive from my Despatch No. 120, of 26th November, that my views do not differ widely from theirs. It is now only necessary that I should say that Mr. Dillon Bell was a member of the last House of Representatives, that he has been in New Zealand for sixteen years, and has constantly been employed under Government. He enjoyed the full confidence of Sir George Grey, and has recently acted as a Commissioner under "The Land Claims Settlement Act," in which office he has given extreme satisfaction to the Government, and to all reasonable claimants. Of Mr. AlcLeau I need say nothing. This able and conscientious public officer is unrivalled in his knowledge of Maori habits and feelings, and possesses more influence with the Alaoris than any person without exception in New Zealand. As this gentleman will now cease to be in the service of the local government, and will (if your Grace approves) become a Councillor nominated by the Crown, I trust you will be good enough to obtain for him some mark of approbation for his long and faithful services. Lieut.-Colonel Nugent served in New Zealand for many years, and was Native Secretary to Sir George Grey for some time. He enjoys the esteem and respect of both races. Partly owing to the restrictions in the third clause of the Act, I have not been able to submit to your Grace the names of the two unpaid members, but the Council will be able to act with three members only, so that it is not a matter which presses. I have, &c, His Grace, the Duke of Newcastle, &c, &c. T. Gore Bbowne. I—H. 39.