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No. 1. (New Zealand, No 32.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 13th May, 1897. I have the honour to transmit an address for presentation to Her Majesty, from Mr. Wi Pere, M.H.E., and other representative aboriginal natives of New Zealand. A copy of the address is enclosed herein. I have, &c, JAMES PEENDEEGAST. The Eight Hon. Joseph Chamberlain, M.P., &c.

. . Enclosure. [Translation.] To our Most Gracious Sovereign Lady, Her Majesty Queen Victoria. This is a loving greeting from us, your Maori people of New Zealand, to you, our Eoyal Mother, whose Eoyal protection was guaranteed to us under the Treaty of Waitangi. Salutations to you under the grace of God, by whom your days on the throne of your ancestors have been greatly lengthened ; we, your devoted children, earnestly hope that our Father in heaven will still further prolong your days. Among the colonies New Zealand was, as it were, the first-born after the beginning of your happy reign, and we pray that you will ever continue to look with favour upon your Maori people living under your inana. We suggest that, were it possible, it would be a gracious and pleasing act, on this the celebration of your lengthened reign, if you would graciously approve of some measure whereby the land remaining to your Maori people could be reserved to them for ever as a perennial source of life, seeing that since the formation of the colony over sixty millions of acres have been acquired by the Europeans and the Crown, leaving but five millions of acres in the possession of your Maori people. It is the wish of your Maori people to cultivate for their own benefit as much as they require of the land remaining to them, and to lease, under some system that will promote settlement, the land that they cannot use. We, your Maori people, desire to retain our remaining lands, because we know full well that these lands are the only material support for us and our heirs. The troubles that disturbed the hearts of the two races in the days of yore have vanished, and we are now dwelling together in amity under your protecting shadow, like the many other peoples under your sway, which is as a girdle of peace round the whole world. Sufficient, then. Long live the Queen ! May God bless you and preserve you, your family, and your Advisers, and those who exercise rule and authority under you. We fervently pray that God will have you in His safe keeping during the days to come. God save the Queen!

No. 2. (No. 40.) Sic, — Government House, Wellington, Bth July, 1897. In reply to your despatch No. 2, dated 80th January last, enclosing copy of a letter by the Earl of Dunraven, I have the honour to state that Ministers see no reason why, if it can be done, the request made by the Auckland Yacht Club should not be granted, though they think that it would perhaps be better if all the New Zealand yacht clubs amalgamated, and the title be then bestowed. 2. It appears that two of the yacht clubs in New Zealand have already received permission to fly the " blue ensign "—the clubs in Auckland and Wellington. There is also a yacht club at Dunedin. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. J. Chamberlain, JAMES PEENDEEGAST. Secretary of State for the Colonies, &c.

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