D.—No. Ib.

No. 1. CAPTAIN WING TO THE HONORABLE THE COLONIAL SECRETARY. Manukau, 20th October, 1863. Sir, — I am very sorry that I should feel compelled to trouble you with this communication —but I trust for excuse to the fact that a Committee of the Provincial Council of this Province have brought up a report which I assert to be entirely erroneous in its essentials, as I can prove, aud which has the effect of being exceedingly injurious to my interest and character as a subordinate officer in the public service. Now, as I hold my appointment of Pilot of the Manukau from the General Government I would respectfully crave leave to appeal to you for justice, if indeed the General Government are not already aware from previous investigations some months ago, that I am not guilty of the neglect of duty with which I am charged. ° My earnest request is that a full and searching investigation of my conduct be instituted • but whether this should be at the instance and direction of the General Government, or by petition from me to the General Assembly, under the Regulations regarding Private Grievances I am not aware, but will gladly abide by your wishes or instructions. In order to show in some degree the nature of the evidence relied upon by the Committee of the Provincial Council, I may be permitted to say that some only of my letters to the late Superintendent were before the Committee, and my conversations with that functionary, having important relation to the correspondence, were not taken into account. Also, that the sole evidence of the signalman, who understands the English language but very imperfectly, as to my having abundant means at my command to launch the life-boat, <fec, is considered sufficient to condemn me, while I am not permitted to bring forward the counter evidence of men of known capacity for jud»in<* in •such matters, .such as Captains and Commanders in the Royal Navy, and Masters and others°in°the Mercantile Marine Service, but was told to make reply only to the questions put to me. In the hope that you will give the above your consideration, and at your leisure kindly point out to me what is best to be done under the circumstances, I have, 4a, Thomas Wing, T , „ u .. « , . , o Pilot fol' the Manukau. I lie Honorable the Colonial Secretary, Auckland.

No. 2. THE UNDER-SECRETARY TO CAPTAIN WING. Colonial Secretary's Office, ' Auckland, 4th December, 1863 Sir, — I am directed by Mr. Fox to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 20th October last, relative to a Report of a Committee of the Provincial Council of Auckland, impiuminc your conduct as Pilot at Manukau, and, in reply, to state that youc explanations should be addressed to his Honor the Superintendent of the Province of Auckland, under whose control you are and bv whom the matter to which you refer was submitted to the Provincial Council. I have, <fec, Capt. Wing, W. Gisborne, Pilot, Manukau. Under-Secretary.

FURTHER PAPERS eelatiye to THE LOSS OF H.M.S. "ORPHEjUS."