E.—No. 1.

Appendix E. MEMORANDUM by the Colonial Secbetaby. On the Bth or 9th of July Mr. T. A. White, the superintendent of the prisoners, came to my office and told me he had just been with His Excellency —that His Excellency had proposed a plan for sending the prisoners to Kawau, where he would give them land to cultivate, setting apart a portion of the island for the purpose; and that His Excellency had desired him (Mr. White) to mention the subject to me, and see whether I would acquiesce in it. I replied to Mr. White, that if His Excellency wished me to entertain such a proposal officially, he must address me in the usual way as his Responsible Minister, and that I could not receive such a proposition through a subordinate olficer of my department. Half-an-hour later I left my office, and on returning homewards I met on the road the Rev. B. Y. Ashwell, who asked for a few moments conversation with me. He said it was about the prisoners going to Kawau. I laughed, and said " I know whoso heifer you are ploughing with.'" After further conversation at that time and ou the following Monday, when I again met him by appointment, I agreed that Mr. Ashwell should write me a letter proposing the plan, which might enable me to open communication with His Excellency on the subject. This he did as follows. «ir..— Auckland, July 11th, 1864. A few weeks ago I had a conversation with His Excellenay the Governor on the beet means of preserving the natives from the demoralization which in all probability would be the consequence of the war. It occurred to me that at least a remnant of the Waikato natives might be saved, if the prisoners now on board the hulk were located on some isolated position, and a plan in some measure similar to the Moravian were adopted for them. They would then be free from the temptations to which they would otherwise be exposed by their proximity to the military posts on the Waikato. The Kawau Island lam convinced would be a good location to try the experiment; and I believe I am not mistaken in thinking that His Excellency Sir George Grey would give his assent to the plan. If this plan should meet the approbation of the Government, would you kindly mention it to the Governor ? I can only add that I shall be most happy to forward your views as far as I am permitted by the C. M. Society! I remain, &c, To the Hon. William Fox, Colonial Secretary. B. Y. AsnwELt. On the day following the receipt of this letter, I forwarded it to HLs Excellency with a memorandum in the following words : — Ministers beg respectfully to forward for His Excellency's perusal a letter addressed by the Eev. 3?. Y. Ashwell to the Colonial Secretary. Will His Excellency oblige Ministers by stating whether Mr. Ashwell is correct in believing that His Excellency would give his assent to the plan. 12th July, 18G4. William Pox. —having first marked in the margin the passage referring to His Excellency's assent. [His Excellency's Reply.] The Governor would gladly assent to such a plan, if it were to be carried out in a manner which afforded a fair probability of success. July 12. G. Gbey. On receipt of this, preparations were immediately made for the removal of the prisoners, by His Excellency, Mr. White, Tapihana, and five or sis other natives going to Kawau, where they inspected the ground, and determined on the site for their operations. William Fox. MEMORANDUM on His Excellency's sending Mr. White to Mr. Fox, relative to the Prisoners going to Kawau. . On the Bth or 9th of July last Mr. White came to the Colonial Secretary's office about 3 p.m. He informed the Colonial Secretary that he had just left His Excellency tie Governor, that Hie Excellency had consulted him as to a, plan for sending the Prisoners to Kawan, where he proposed to let them cultivate part of the island, and settle down there. Mr. White said that His Excellency had directed him to see the Colonial Secretary about it, and to ask whether he would agree to the plan. The Colonial Secretary discussed the subject with Mr. White, but told him that he could not receive such a proposition from a subordinate officer of the Government; that if His Excellency wished to consult him as a Minister, it must be done in tiis usual way, by direct communication, and not by a verbal message through a third party. The above statement is correct. Auckland, 26th September, 1864. T. A. White.

Appendix E. Copy of a REPORT from Mr. White on the Parole given by the Natives. Snt,— Te Kawau, September 27th, 1864. As in the hurry and confusion of writing my first report,* I find that I had omitted an important item of my conversation with the prisoners", I now. therefore, have the honor to submit the same for your information. While addressing the prisoners and urging them to return, I said, " This disgraceful behaviour of yours is the worst act you have committed. You remember when it was first thought of your being

See it in App. G.

55

RELATIVE TO MAORI PRISONERS.