B-.No. 2

No. 10. MEMORANDUM by Ministers in reply. Ministers beg to thank His Excellency for stating his reasons for not thinking it advisable to go to Ngaruawahia at present, as they felt that some explanation of the change of intention should be placed on record. Ministers, for the most part, entirely concur in the views stated by His Excellency. When the Governor first proposed, in reply to a suggestion from General Cameron, that c should go to Ngaruawahia, Ministers clearly understood from the Native communications, and especially from a letter from General Cameron, that some of the Waikato tribes were inclined to make a satisfactory submission,and that to refuse to entertain their proposals would probably be the means of "driving them to desperation." Ministers were under the impression that those were the views of the Governor, and thence his adoption of General Cameron's suggestion, and they were unwilling to be the cause of rejecting what they believed the Governor considered satisfactory overtures fromsome of the tribes in rebellion, and thus drive them, to use the words of General Cameron, to desperation. Ministers do not think that any advantage would accrue from either the Governor going alone, or some of his Ministers going without His Excellency, for purposes of communicating with the Natives. It might have been very desirable that there should be full authority at Ngaruawahia to receive submission without the deiay of a communication with Auckland, especially as those from whom it might have been expected, were in the rear of General Cameron's advanced forces, and it was clearly of importance to remove any obstacle to his advance up the Waipa against the Ngatimaniapoto. As this authority would not have existed in the absence of either His Excellency or of his Advisers, there does not appear to them any advantage in taking either of the courses suggested by the Governor, especially as any offers of submission, if they are to be transmitted to Auckland, can be made as easily, and more appropriately, through General Cameron. Most of the reasons given by His Excellency against his going with some of his Ministers appear to them equally cogent against either party going without the other. Feed, whitakee. 19th December, 1863. No. 11. MEMORANDUM by the Goveeuob. The Governor thanks Ministers for their opinions communicated to him in their Memorandum of this day's date. He is sure they will pardon him for saying his own belief is that he ought, as soon as practicable, to be with General Cameron, but he yields to their advice in the matter. * G. Geey. December 19th, 1863. No. 12. MEMORANDUM by MnasTEES. Ministers are led to believe that His Excellency the Governor holds a decided opinion that he should visit General Cameron at Ngaruawahia, but that he has a strong feeling against being present there with any Members of the Government. . . , , • ■ Ministers are not able to see what steps can be taken from which political advantage can arise m the absence of those who are required to advise before anything is done, and who are responsible for what is done; but they beg to be permitted to state, they do not wish to oppose any obstacle to His Excellency visiting General Cameron, but rather desire that His Excellency should do so, if in accordance with his own wishes. Fbedk. Whitakeb. 24th December, 1863. »

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PAPERS RELATIVE TO NATIVE AFFAIRS.