D.—No. 1

New Zealand, Nehana, Kuki, Roma, and Timiona, who on that occasion very much distinguished themselves in the boats in their successful exertions to save life. 2. I would respectfully request your Grace to endeavour to obtain from the Royal Humane Society for these men the medals to which they have a just and fair claim. 3. All the surviving officers of the " Orpheus" have gone to England, but, upon application to the Admiralty, your Grace could obtain from these gentlemen, and from the Warrant and petty officers, certificates of the conduct of the Natives whose names I have transmitted, which would, I have no doubt, gain for them the medals to which I believe they have established a most legitimate claim. I have, &c, G. Grey. His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, K.G.

NEW ZEALAND. No. 38.

No. 5. copy of DESPATCH from his grace the duke of Newcastle, k.g., to governor sir george GREY, K.C.B. Downing Street, 15th April, 18G3. Sir — I have received and communicated to the Lords of the Admiralty your two Despatches, No. 10 and 11, of the 9th of February, in which you report the loss of Her Majesty's'ship " Orpheus" with the greater part of her officers and men. I need hardly say with what regret I have received this sad intelligence. But I am desirous of recording the admiration with which I regard the unwavering gallantry and self-possession which seem to have been shewn by all on board while expecting their fate, and by those who perished even in the moment of meeting it. Such conduct while it throws a lustre on this lamentable disaster shows also unhappily the value of what Her Majesty's Service and the Country have lost by it. I feel sure that nothing was left undone in New Zealand to alleviate what I fear must have been the sufferings of the survivors. I have, &c, Governor Sir George Grey, K.C.B., Newcastle. <tc, &c, itc.

NEW ZEALAND. No. 48.

No. 6. copy of DESPATCH from his grace the duke of Newcastle, e.g., to governor sir GEORGE GREY, K.C.B. Downing Street, 24th April, 18G3. Sir,— In my Despatch No. 38, of the 15th of April, I informed you that I had communicated to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, copies of your Despatches Nos. 10 and 11 of the 9th of February, reporting the circumstances attending the loss of Her Majesty's ship " Orpheus," on the bar of Manukau Harbour. In the first of these Despatches, you draw attention to the gallant services rendered by three Maories from the Pilot Station at that place, in assisting to save a portion of the survivors, and I have much pleasure in informing you that their Lordships have determined upon assigning a gratuity, not exceeding twenty pounds, to each of these Maories. I request therefore, that you will take the necessary steps for ensuring the payment to them of the amount specified by the Lords Commissioners, in such manner as you may think most expedient; and that you will likewise convey to them, in conformity with their Lordship's wishes, the thanks of the Board of Admiralty for their gallant conduct on this occasion. I have, &c, Newcastle. Governor Sir George Grey, K.C.B., &c, &c, &c.

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DESPATCHES EELATIVE TO LOSS OF "OBPHEUS."