E.—No. 1.

was upon entering, and again on emerging from the ti-tree, that the greater number were killed; they then re-entered the swamp, and after following it for .some distance towards the Punui Eiver, Bewi, with a small party of his own people, struck oil* to the left to avoid pursuit, but on reaching the Arowhena road he loaded his double-barrel gun, and sitting down, said that Paereta, Piripi, Hone Xingi, and other Rangatira's were killed, and that he would die too ; he was persuaded, however, to go on. Raureti was wounded in the arm, and his son Perenera, who is a great favourite with his uncle, (Eewi) was taken prisoner, and gave up his gun to a soldier, but upon another man attempting to bayonet him, he broke away, and escaped with a wound in his shoulder, and did not find his people till the third day after. No attempt has been made by them, they say, to recover any of the bodies from this side of the Punui—they being too frightened—and they are of opinion that many are still unburied. Eewi sent a message by Hone to One to Brigadier G-eneral Carey to furnish him with a list of the killed and prisoners ; he said he thought that about eighty had been killed and one hundred and twenty wounded, taken prisoners, or missing; of his own party of about fifteen, only three or four escaped; his halfbrother, Te Eaore, was wounded, and is a prisoner. The following chiefs were recognized among the killed, viz.: Matekiwaho (Taupo), Paerata, Hone, Weneta, and Matawaia, Uriwcra, Piripi te Heuheu, Paerau, Te Whenuamui, and Paora, Ngatikahununu Te "Warn, Ngatimahanga Manuwao, and Potene, Ngatikoura, Aporo Te Kaingamata; Hone Kingi of Waikato is also dead. Among the prisoners were the following chiefs : Wi Haramoa, of Ngatihinetu ; Tameti, of Ngatimehanga; Te Harana, of Matekiwaho, and Noah, (since dead) of Ngatikahununu. Of the wounded prisoners eleven have died, the others are in a fair way for recovery, and, with two or three exceptions, are to proceed to Auckland in a few days. There are six women still here, four of whom will have recovered sufficiently in a few days to proceed to Raglan, where they have been invited by Heteraka Nero. Kingi Waikawau and his people arc still here awaiting the pleasure of the Governor. No more natives have come in since. Fires are occasionally seen in the Eangitoto ranges, but at a great distance, and at a place called TVTianaki, near the summit of Maungatautari. I have, &c, "WILLTAM G. MaIH, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Interpreter to the Forces.

No. 12. MEMORANDUM of Ministers, relative to Releasing the Native Prisoners on Parole. It would appear, from the Governor's Memorandum of yesterday, in reference to the prisoners on board the hulk " Marion," that there has been a misunderstanding as to what His Excellency desired. Ministers regret this, but certainly they had understood that His Excellency wished to release the Prisoners, or, at all events, some of them, on parole. In His Excellency's Memorandum of the 12th of April, he says, "In the Governor's opinion it would be sufficient to bring some of them to trial, whilst there are others who it is unnecessary to proceed against, but who might bo released on such conditions as the Government thought it necessary to impose ;" and again in His Excellency's despatch of the 29th of April last, to His Grace the Duke of Net\ castle, His Excellency states as follows : "My own opinion is adverse to bringing a considerable number of the prisoners to trial, if such a step can in any way be avoided; I would prefer releasing them on parole." It now appears that what His Excellency intended to request was, " That an announcement should be made by the Government as to what their ultimate fate should be." After a careful consideration of the advantages and disadvantages likely to follow from such a course, Ministers are prepared to yield to His Excellency's wishes. They submit, therefore, for His Excellency's consideration, that the prisoners should not be brought to trial, for that would appear as a farce if before doiug so it were announced that no punishment, even if they were found guilty, would follow; that it should be announced to them at once that no personal punishment beyond restraint of liberty will be inflicted, and that when peace is established they will be liberated, and land alloted to them to settle on. An opportunity of eomiTmnicating with their friends on the subject of their position should be afforded them, and two of their number, to be approved of by the Government, not important Chiefs, permitted to be bearers of their letters, taking their parole to return. With regard to the letter from Mr. Mair, no doubt the statements are not to be disregarded ; but, on the other hand, too much weight should not be attached to them. Mr. Mair received his information from one Native, who was told by another native, who had communicated with the rebels. The unreliable character of information, generally, derived through native sources might be illustrated by a statement of some of the reports certainly put in circulation, but Ministers feel that it is quite sufficient to allude to them. Auckland, 4th May, 180-4. Frederick TViiitakeb. No. 13. Despatch from the Governor to the Secretary of State, dated Gth April, 1864. [Publication declined by His Excellency.] No. 14. MEMORANDUM of Ministers relative to Auipette Kaihatj's Letter. In His Excellency's despatch to His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, dated Gth of April, 1864, (No. 53), and transmitted at that date without His Excellency's Responsible Advisers having seen it at the time, they observe the following passage:—

15

RELATIVE TO MAORI PRISONERS.