a.- ;

3

Considering Sir E. Lugard's letter, dated the 13th January, 1868, as extinguishing all my hopes in the matter, I gave up the idea, and should not have taken up the case again, until I saw that the liberal manner the present Government have bestowed honours and rewards on the officers of New South Wales forming the Soudan Contingent might lead me to infer that afresh application would enable Her Majesty's present Ministers to deal with my application in a favourable spirit. I may add that the only recognition of my services, except thanks, that I have received from the Home Government has been the special permission of Her Majesty's Ministers to retain the rank and appellation of colonel on the staff (Militia) granted to me by the Commander-in-Chief of Sierra Leone for distinguished services in the field, as noted in Sir Henry Holland's and Mr. Sandford's letters from Downing Street of the sth April, 1872, and 6th July, 1869. I have, &c, C. C. Bookes, Late Captain 2nd W. I. Begiment, and Colonel Military Staff, Africa. The Bight Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Sub-Enclosure 2. Enclosure in Despatch from Colonel C. C. Bookes to the Bight Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies, dated the 16th September, 1885. Despatch from Lord Panmure to Captain Bookes, dated 15th February, 1855, conveying approval and thanks for the capture of Maligeah. Despatch from Lord Panmure to Captain Bookes, dated 21st February, 1855, conveying thanks of Her Majesty's Government for services on the Gold Coast and capture of Labadie. Despatch from Lord Hardinge to Captain Bookes, dated 6th February and 7th March, 1855. Thanks and approval for successes on the Biver Molecowrie, and for zeal, energy, and ability, &c. Despatch from General Fleury to Colonel Bookes, dated 11th April, 1855, conveying thanks of His Majesty the Emperor Napoleon for saving French factories from destruction. Despatch from M. Pietre to Colonel Bookes, dated Chiselhurst, 14th February, 1872, regretting that "circonstances actuel" prevent His Majesty from giving promotion in the Legion of Honour. Despatch from General Cameron to Colonel Bookes, dated 28th February, 1865, conveying thanks for services rendered in the field. Despatch from Sir George Grey to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, dated 22nd July, 1865, stating that to the energy, ability, and bravery of Major Bookes success is to be attributed. Despatch from the, Hon. the Minister of Defence to Colonel Bookes, dated Wellington, 17th August, 1865. Thanks of New Zealand Parliament for services rendered. I certify the above to be correct copies of the original despatches sent from the parties named to me. Charles Cecil Bookes. Bemuera, Auckland, New Zealand, 15th September, 1885.

Enclosure 2. Sir George Grey to the Private Secretary to Sir William Jervois. Sir, — Wellington, 22nd September, 1885. In reply to your ! jtter of the 21st instant, I have the honour to state that, on referring to my despatch to the Secretary of State of the 22nd July, 1865, in which I reported the capture of the Wereroa Pa, I find that I alluded in the following terms to Major Bookes:— "Major Bookes, of Her Majesty's colonial forces, who volunteered to command the party which marched to occupy the Karaka heights, deserves the highest credit for the courage, ability, and zeal with which he executed that march under circumstance- of great difficulty, and for the energetic and successful manner in which he carried on the operations after he got possession of the heights. Upon his promptitude and energy the success of the whole affair mainly lies." I beg, further, to enclose copies of the proceedings in each branch of the New Zealand Legislature in regard to the thanks expressed to Major Bookes and the colonial forces for their share in the capture of the Wereroa Pa. . I have, &c, The Private Secretary, Government House, Wellington. G. Grey.

Sub-Enclosure. Extracts from the Journals of the Legislative Council, 26th July and 3rd August, 1865, and Two Extracts from the Journals of the House of Bepresentatives, Ist August, 1865.