A.—No. la.

26

DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE

No. 35. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. Earl Granville, K.G., to Governor Sir G. P. Bowen, G.C.M.G. (No. 30.) Downing Street, 26th February, 1869. SIR, — (Beceived at Wellington, via Auckland, 2nd May, 1869.) The information given me by your recent Despatches respecting the disturbances in NeAV Zealand does not convey to me a distinct idea of the origin of those disturbances, nor of the causes which led to the temporary successes of the Maoris —matters on which I am met in various quarters by statements which, if correct, ought to have been communicated to me officially. In the first place, I find it said that the escape of a large proportion of the prisoners from the Chatham Islands is to be ascribed to the fact, that they had been taken there with the expectation, if not the promise, that they should be brought back to New Zealand after a given time; that it was only when this expectation or promise was left unfulfilled that they made their escape ; and that on their return to their country they did not offer any violence to the settlers till attempts w rere made to hunt them down. I find it also said that the disturbances on the West Coast arose from an arbitrary seizure of two Natives as pledges or hostages for the return of two horses which were retaken by the Natives, after having been captured by General Chute. I should be glad to be furnished with such information as you possess on both these points. I should also be glad to learn the state of preparation in which the Colonial forces were when these outbreaks took place. The possibility of such outbreaks on the withdrawal of Her Majesty's troops, unless a formidable force were organized to replace them, is so obvious, that I can hardly understand that your Government could have failed to provide for it. But your Despatches furnish me with scarcely any information respecting the amount of force which was kept on foot at that period. I further wish to receive from you such information as you are able to obtain respecting the numbers and pay of the European Colonial force and of the Native Contingent, during the last two years. Lastly, I see it stated in the newspapers that you have offered a rew rard of £1000 for the person of the Maori chief Titokowaru—l infer alive or dead —and £5 for the person of every Maori rebel brought in alive. I do not pronounce any opinion at present as to the propriety of these steps. But I must observe that they are so much at variance with the usual laws of war, and appear at first sight so much calculated to exasperate and extend hostilities, that they ought to have been reported to me by you officially, with the requisite explanation, which I should now r be glad to receive. I have, &c, Governor Sir G. F. Bowen, G.C.M.G. GRANVILLE.

No. 36. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. Earl Granville, K.G., to Governor Sir G. P. Boaven, G.C.M.G. (No. 34.) Sir,— Downing Street, 16th March, 1869. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 121, of the 2nd December, enclosing a Memorandum from your Responsible Advisers respecting the effect of the Imperial Act 31 and 32 Victoria, cap. 57, "To make " provision for the Appointment of Members of the Legislative Council of New " Zealand, and to remove doubts in respect of past Appointments." I referred the Memorandum for the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown, and I am advised that there is no ground for the apprehension entertained by Mr. Stafford.