From Lieut.-Governor Grey To the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone. Government-House, Auckland, August 31, 1846.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume III, Issue 210, 4 August 1847, Page 4

From Lieut.-Governor Grey To the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone. Government-House, Auckland, August 31, 1846.

Sir, —ln reference to ray recent despatches upon the subject of the operations which have been carried on along the southern coast of New Zealand, I have now the honour to transmit despatches from Major Last, detailing the result of those operations to the 16ih instant, together with a copy of the Government order which I issued upon the occasion of the publication of those despatches. From these documents, it will be seen that our operations have been everywhere successful, and that the southern district is now in a very satisfactory state. I beg that you will be pleased to notice in such a manner as may appear fitting, the exertions and gallantry of Major Last, Captain Stanley, and the various naval and military officers employed in these services, which were necessarily carried on in a most severe season. Several of the affairs, although slight, have been extremely warm ones. In that of the 6th instant, Major Last, whilst leading on his men, had his forage-cap shot off his head ; and the conduct of all concerned has been entitled to the highest praise. The most striking feature, throughout the recent operations, has been the fact that the natives of that part of New Zealand rose almost to a man on the side of the Government. They obeyed, with an alacrity and zeal which I have never seen exceeded, the orders which were issued to them ; and showed, by every means in their power, their respect for the British Government, as well as that they regarded themselves, to all intents and purposes, as British subjects who were anxious and determined to maintain the tranquillity of the country. The settlers are no less entitled to praise. Several gentlemen of high respectability carried muskets as privates ; and notwithstanding they were subject to great privations and dangers, I never heard a murmur from them, but on the contrary they on all occasions evinced the most cheerful alacrity. Upon the whole, I do not think that a more gratifying and useful series of results could have been obtained ; and although, undoubtedly, difficulties may for some short period of time occasionally occur, her Majesty's Government may rest satisfied that there will be soon no more prosperous nor contented settlements than those which have been established in the southern district of New Zealand. I have, &c, (Signed) G. Grey. The Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone, &c.