GUARD AT THE CHATHAM ISLANDS.

5

A.—No. 15b_

No. 5. Copy of a Letter from Mr. J. H. Campbell to the Hon. the Natiye Minister. (No. 2.) Sic,— Napier, 23rd March, 18GG. I have the honor to report that the " St. Kilda " left Napier at 1 p.m. on Saturday, 10th March, with sixty-eight prisoners, as per margin,* and dropped anchor at Waitangi, Chatham Islands, at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, the 14th. Captain Thomas and myself at once landed, and the Natives were informed of the arrival of the prisoners. They requested that time should be allowed them to consider where the prisoners were to be placed, and also that messengers might be sent to the other Natives of the island, requesting them to meet the following day to discuss the question, to which Captain Thomas assented. Accordingly the next morning between two and three hundred assembled, and a long discussion ensued, which lasted the whole day, one party (the Waitangi Natives, with the chief Toonga) anxious to have the prisoners distributed among them, and the other party (the Natives of Whangaroa, with their chief Eewi) expressing surprise that the Government should have sent the prisoners without first informing them of their intention, but at the same time giving it as their opinion that now they were there it was for Captain Thomas, as Magistrate, to decide what was to be done with them. Finally it was agreed that the ofier of the chief Toenga of some land belonging to him, upon which were two good-sized whares and abundance of wood and water, should be accepted. In the meantime the prisoners were most hospitably received and fed, and at the conclusion of the meeting they were marched under guard to their quarters, which are about a mile from the pa, and by 8 o'clock the same evening they were all comfortably housed. The prisoners during the voyage and since their arrival have behaved in the most orderly manner. They express themselves much pleased with the treatment they have received, and also with their now quarters. The " St. Kilda " left the Chatham Islands, on her return to Napier, at 2 o'clock p.m. on Monday, the 19th, and arrived here on Thursday, the 22nd, at 5 p.m. I have, &c, James H. Campbell, The Hon. the Native Minister. Eesident Magistrate.

No. 6. Copy of a Letter from His Honor D. McLean to the Hon. E. W. Staitobd. Sib,— Napier, 26th March, 1860. I have the honor to acquaint you thai" the " St. Kilda " returned to this port from the Chatham Islands on the evening of Thursday, the 22nd instant. Mr. J. H. Campbell, who accompanied the expedition, states that the prisoners were well received by the Natives of the Chatham Islands— that fish, eels, and other food is abundant there, and that the Island is admirably adapted for the maintenance of Native prisoners. I herewith enclose tie copy of a letter from the Eesident Magistrate, Captain Thomas, in which he expresses a wish that no more than an equal number of prisoners to those already sent should be, for the present, despatched to the Chatham Islands. I also enclose the translation of a letter from the chief Toanga, who has very much exerted himself to carry out the wishes of the Government. It may be expedient for the present to defer to Captain Thomas's wish in this matter; but I should state there will be still upwards of three hundred prisoners to disj>ose of on the East Coast. The number of prisoners despatched by the " St. Kilda" has been thirty-nine males, ten females, four lads, and fifteen children —in all, sixty-eight; ninety were brought here from Poverty Bay, but as some of these were women with young children, and several of the children in a weak state of health, I offered those the option of remaining in this district, which they have done. The prisoners from the Chathams have sent letters to their friends expressive of satisfaction with their present condition. I purpose sending the "St. Kilda" to Poverty Bay or the Wairoa for another party to be sent to the Chathams. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Donald McLean.

Enclosure in No. 6. Copy of a Letter, from Captain Thomas to His Honor D. McLean. Sis,— - Chatham Islands, 19th March, 18CG. I have the honor to report for your information, that the " St. Kilda " duly arrived here, at Port Waitangi, on Wednesday last, the 14th instant, at or about 9 a.m., all hands being in good health ; that the Natives here have given the prisoners a cordial reception ; and that I think a similar number of prisoners may safely be sent, but I do not think it desirable at present, with your approval, to exceed that number. The prisoners and guard are located close to "Waitangi on suitable ground, and will soon be permanently housed, although materials for a provision store are very indifferent. The stores are all temporarily housed. I have, &c, His Honor Donald McLean, W. E. Thomas, Government Agent, Napier. Eesident Magistrate. * 39 men, 10 women, 4 boys, 15 children under seven years. 2