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Enclosure. Sir,— Downing Street, 20th July, 1862. I beg to transmit for your information a copy of a letter which I have received from Mr. F. Fraser, in which he draws attention to the claims of the Native population inhabiting the Middle Island to receive aid from the funds of the colony in furtherance of certain objects. I also annex a copy of the reply which has been returned to that communication. I have, &c, Sir George Grey, &c. Newcastle.

Sub-Enclosure 1. 3, Upper Westbourne Terrace, Hyde Park, W., Ist July, 1862. My Lord Duke, — As a member of the House of Representatives of New Zealand, and as one of the Magistrates of that colony, I beg to lay before your Grace the particulars of a grievance much complained of by the loyal and peaceful Maori population of the Middle Island of New Zealand, especially those of the Province of Otago, in which last I have resided four years. The facts, so far as I have been able to ascertain them, are as follows:— About twelve years ago the Middle Island of New Zealand was purchased from the Natives for, I believe, a very small sum by Mr. Mantell, acting in the name and on the behalf of the British Government. Mr. Mantell, as I am informed, undertook that the Natives, who had already received Christianity, should have the benefit of religious instruction and general education, as well as medical attendance, supplied to them. The expectations thus generated have never been realized. This is the grievance to which I respectfully solicit your Grace's attention. On the 13th June, 1861, Mr. Mantell became Minister in New Zealand for Native affairs. On the 2nd August, 1861, he was asked by myself in the House of Assembly to state when the Colonial Government intended to fulfil the undertaking to which I have referred. Mr. Mantell answered that on taking office he had come to an understanding that unless he should find himself empowered to carry out the engagement with the Maoris he should resign. This answer was considered satisfactory, and I communicated it to the Maoris in my district, who immediately set to work felling and sawing timber for the erection of churches, schoolrooms, &c. After the lapse of a few months they announced to me their preparations, but stated that they could not proceed further without pecuniary aid. I would venture to submit to your Grace that the Maoris of the Middle Island are a deserving population, attached to the British Government, but painfully sensible of what they consider a breach of faith in the matter to which I have referred. I have been informed that Mr. Mantell resigned his office last spring; but whether in consequence of any disappointment in obtaining what was promised for the benefit of the Maoris I have not had the means of ascertaining. I have come Home on urgent private business, but I propose to return to New Zealand for the business of the next session. I have, &c, His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, Her Majesty's F. Fraser. Secretary of State for the Colonies, &c. The New Zealander of the 3rd August, 1861, has the following paragraph: " Captain Fraser's question as to what steps the Government intended to adopt towards ameliorating the condition of certain Natives of the Middle Island led to the acknowledgment by the House that great neglect had hitherto arisen in fulfilling promises made to this effect; and led also to a reply from the Native Minister expressive of his desire for a speedy performance of those promises."

Sub-Enclosure 2. Sib,— Downing Street, 12th July, 1862. I am directed by the Duke of Newcastle to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the Ist instant, in which you call attention to the delay which has occurred in the fulfilment of certain promises of aid which were made to the Natives inhabiting the Middle Island of New Zealand when their land was purchased from them by Mr. Mantell on behalf of the British Government. I am to inform you in reply that a copy of your communication will be sent direct by the next mail to the Governor of New Zealand; and His Grace feels quite sure that any representation which you may make on the subject to Sir G. Grey on your return to the colony will receive full consideration. lam to add that the Duke of Newcastle is aware that Sir George Grey's attention has been drawn to the existence of claims of this kind, and that he is seeking a mode of satisfying such as are found to be reasonable. I have, &c, F. Fraser, Esq. • F. Rogers.