A.—No. 1,

DESPATCHES EEOM THE GOVERNOR OE NEW

56

Mr. G. O. Treyelyan, M.P. See " Cawnpore,' p. 27.

" admitted on all sides that forfeiture of land was a just punishment for rebellion, " accompanied with cruel murders and other horrible outrages; and that it was " also a punishment in accordance with Maori usage, as well as with the laws of " civilized nations. But it also seems to be now generally admitted that it was " imprudent at the present time to occupy with settlers distant and isolated " positions, such as, for example, Patea on the West, and Opotiki on the East " Coast, both these districts being in the immediate neighbourhood of the " most hostile tribes, and of the most impenetrable mountains and forests. In " fact, what the Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. Cardwell) foretold "in his Despatch No. 54, of 20th April, 1866, to my predecessor, Sir G. " Grey, has now come to pass. Mr. Cardwell then pointed out that 'if the " ' proposed new settlements were too far advanced beyond the country already " ' occupied, it might prove impossible to abandon them without discredit, or "' to protect them without disproportionate expense.' On the whole, lam " disposed to concur with those who argue that the Military Settlements ought " to have been placed mainly, if not solely, on the open and easily defensible " Waikato Plain, and to have been protected by a line of posts drawn across the " North Island (advantage being taken of the nature of the ground) from the sea " at Aotea or Whangaroa on the West Coast, to the sea at Tauranga on the East " Coast. A frontier might thus have been secured analogous to the old Roman " frontier between the Eirths of Eorth and Clyde." 3. This subject is now engaging the earnest consideration of the Colonial Government. I have, &c., The Right Hon. Earl Granville, K.G. G. E. BOWEN.

Enclosure in No. 25. Memorandum by Mr. Stafford. Wellington, 11th March, 1869. With reference to his Memorandum of this day's date, Mr. Stafford would observe, as connected with the subject, that the present Colonial Government is of opinion -that it would be imjjolitic to attempt to extend settlements in isolated parts of the confiscated lands ; and further, that it has for some time had under consideration the policy of extending the liberality which has already been shown to Natives who have been dispossessed of portions of their lands as a consequence of previous aggression on their parts. For His Excellency the Governor. E. W. Stafford.

No. 26. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. P. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to the Eight Hon. Earl Granville, K.G. (No. 32.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord, — New Zealand, 12th March, 1869. In continuation of my Despatch No. 24, of the 22nd February ult., I have now the honor to forward herewith a Memorandum submitted to me by Mr. Richmond, the Minister for the Native Department, showing the progress of the Maori War, and the general condition of Native Affairs at the present time. 2. It will be seen that Mr. Richmond observes that " amidst these continued " outrages and alarms which are paralyzing the industry of large districts, the " consideration which has led the Imperial Government to delay the removal of " the 18th Regiment and of the national flag from these shores is appreciated by " the Colony, and will increase the loyalty and cordiality of the reception which " awaits His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh." 3. It is universally felt that it would have been very unfortunate, for many obvious reasons, if the last British soldier had been withdrawn on the eve of the Duke of Edinburgh's arrival. Moreover, the general feeling of the principal Maori chiefs naturally resembles that of the great Indian princes. One of the most able and observant of the writers on British India has remarked that " Hyder Ali and Runjeet Singh, the Hannibal and the Mithridates of India, had