E.—No. 1.

No. 1. MINUTE of His EXCELLENCE transmitting Papers for consideration of Ministers relative to Te Oeiori. The Governor transmits, for the consideration of his Responsible Advisers, the accompanying papers in relation to the Chief Te Oriori, now a prisoner on board the hulk " Marion." 1. A letter from Mr. Berry to Mr. Marshall (and papers connected therewith), detailing the circumstances under which Te Oriori interfered in September last to save Mr. Berry and Mr. Anderson from the Xgatimaniapoto ti-ibe. 2. A letter from Mr. E. O. Stewart (now Resident Magistrate of the Lower Waikato), dated September 15th, 1803, shewing the conduct of Te Oriori, in sending back the Ngatimaniapoto from the vicinity of a mission station and of our settlements, because he regarded them as a ruthless tribe, not to be depended upon, at the same time expressing indignation at the offeuces they had committed. 3. Two statements from Mr. Puckey and Mr. White, which render it apparently probable in a high degree that Te Oriori, in the action at Eangiriri, although engaged against us, received two wounds in efforts he made to save the life of Captain Mercer, or of some wounded British officer. 4. A copy of a statement made to the Governor by Mr. Eogan, on the 27th inst., regarding the prevailing opinion or impression in the native mind, on the subject of Te Oriori's captivity. The Governor submits that the facts disclosed in these papers render it expedient that To Oriori should receive a conditional pardon, and that he should be released from confinement on his parole, residing for the present in such place as the Government may appoint; being allowed to have his immediate family with him. The question as to the extent of land he should be regarded as having"forfeited for having actually borne arms against the Government, could be hereafter settled. But the Governor feels, that looking to the rank of the prisoner, and to the generous manner in which he acted when actually with the rebels, a very strong and excellent effect will be produced upon the native population generally by the prisoner's being released from confinement; whilst it is also his opinion that the conduct of the prisoner entitles him fully to this consideration at our hands. G. Gbet. February 29th, 1864.

Enclosure 1 to No. 1. Dkau Sin, — I think it was on or about the 7th September, between 2 and 3 in the afternoon, when I had that interview with Te Oriori. A short time after dinner I heard the dog bark, as if he saw strangers ; presently I saw some armed natives moving stealthily in the bush and fern at the back of the house. I went immediately towards them, when two of them advanced a little, whom I saluted in the usual way, when they shook hands, and were quite friendly. After having some preliminary conversation, one of them said, that To Oriori had sent that he wished to speak to me, but that he was :i short distance inland, and asked in a rather decided manner whether 1 would go or not. I did not hesitate for a moment; so wo started for inland (Bill accompanied me, who had joined us whilst this was going on). I was received by Te Oriori in his usual friendly way, asked a great number of questions. He said I should leave Te Wharangi immediately—before night; —he appeared anxious that 1 should do so as soon as possible. He said ho had placed himself between me and strange natives (who were but a very short distance away), to protect mo and Mr. Underwood till we could got away. I urged him to extend his protection till Mr. Underwood came back from Auckland, or till next day— that I had no canoe to take away any goods or property, as Mr. Armitage had all our canoes. This he said he could not do. He theu procured materials for writing a note to Mr. Underwood, which you have seen. You are already aware that before I could get away that night I was surrounded and robbed by the natives ; but that some of the people who were with Te Oriori when I saw him came there also, and T think exercised some influence in preventing violence, &c. I have, &c, Mr. M. Tickers, Victoria Street, Auckland. J. Beery. To Underwood.—You must go away to-day, and not be long about it. There is evil on this side. You must leave. TeTitiiei (Te Oriori).

Enclosure 2 to No. 1. Office of the Lower Waik&to Eosident Magistracy, Taupari, 15th Sept., 1863. Sin, — I have the honor to acquaint you that Te Oriori, chief of the Ngatikoroki, and nearly related to W. P. Kukutai and to Mrs. Armitage, had an interview yesterday forenoon with the Ngatitipa. That hostile chief was attended by twelve of his own tribe and of the Ngatihaua, and their objects in

MEMORANDA AND REPORTS RELATIVE TO MAORI PRISONERS.