5

A.—s

Council was to meet. He told me, as a secret, that Mr. Bryce was to be appointed a member of the Executive Council. I told him that I had heard rumours of a "proclamation of war." The Administrator replied that that was all nonsense. That there was to be a Proclamation sotting the state of the case before the Natives, but that anything like a " declaration of war" was out of the question. I said that I supposed before any active hostilities could be undertaken the consent of the Governor or Administrator must be in some form obtained. Sir James Prendergast said, " Not at all; it was a matter the whole responsibility for which rested with Ministers." I said that I thought it at any rate right to say that the Governor might return at any moment. That I knew, from what ho had told mo, when he would close his work in Fiji. That I was sure he would come direct thence to Wellington, and that, allowing eight or nine days for the passage, I was surprised he had not arrived the day before. The Administrator asked whether the Governor would not first go to Auckland? I said, "Certainly not;" that I knew he would come direct to Wellington; that I had practically expected the "Emerald" during the last two or three days, and that I felt convinced she would be in within twenty-four hours. Sir James Prendergast said that he supposed that, as Fiji lies due north, the " Emerald" would be sighted in the north, and that, if she were coming up the coast now, she would be sure to be sighted from some place or another. I said that it did not follow she would bo sighted or signalled, even if she were within a fewhours of Wellington, as it was my strong belief that she was. I thought I had spoken sufficiently clearly to show the Administrator that I had good reason to expect the immediate return, and no reason to expect any more delay than might be caused by wind and weather in the return, of his Excellency, nor was I justified in saying more. I gave my opinion strongly, as was natural with my knowledge of Lady Gordon's telegram in the background, and I considered that the certainty of the Fiji mail, which was already overdue, arriving very speedily, together with the strong expression of my belief that the Governor would be in the colony within a few hours, should be sufficient, if anything could bo sufficient, to delay any measures of great importance at any rate until the arrival at Auckk.nd of the " Southern Cross." Wellington, 20th October, 1881. F. P. Murray.

No. 3. The Hon. Sir A. H. Goedon, G.C.M.G. to the Colonial Offick. Sic, — 5, Bryanston Square, May 6, 1883. I have now discovered the draft of my roplyjio Mr. Whitaker's memorandum of the 10th June, 1882, and enclose a copy of it to be added to the enclosures to my letter of the 31st March last. 2. I have also the honour to enclose the previous correspondence so far as it is in my possession. I have no copy of the memorandum in which my Ministers advised me not to lay before the local Parliament any despatches or papers on the subject of the transactions on the west coast of the North Island. I have, &c. The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. A. Goedon.

See A— i, 1883, No. 27.

See A.-4, 1883, No. 24.

No. 4. The Eight Hon. the Earl of Deeby to Governor Sir W. F. D. Jeevois,'G.C.M.G. C.B. Sic, — Downing Street, July 5, 1883. I duly received your despatch of the 27th January last, enclosing a memorandum from, your Ministers, with other documents, relating to the papers laid before Parliament last year on Native affairs in New Zealand and the imprisonment of certain Maoris. I caused a copy of your despatch with its enclosures to bo referred to Sir Arthur Gordon, and I annex copies of two letters which have been received from him in reply. These papers will be laid before Parliament, with" others, in continuation of those presented last session. I may observe that, in giving to Parliament some despatches marked " confidential " from the Governor of New Zealand, together with newspaper articles relating to Native affairs, my predecessor was actuated by a desire to give impartially as full information upon the subject as was contained in the despatches which had reached him from the Governor. I have, &c. Sir W. F. D. Jervois. Deeby.

No. 5. Governor Sir Vv*. F. D. Jeevois to the Eight Hon. tho Earl of Derby. My Lokd, — Government House, Wellington, September 22nd, 1883. With reference to your Lordship's Despatch, No. 38, of the sth July last, forwarding copies of two letters addressed by Sir Arthur Gordon to the Colonial Office, I have the honour to state that I duly communicated the despatch and its enclosures ip Sir James Prendergast and my Ministers; and I transmit-herewith copies of memoranda which liiave received from them on the subject. I have, &c. The Eight Hon. the Earl of Derby. W. P. D. Jeevois.