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what steps, if any, were taken by that Government in consequence. I must now request that you will supply me with such a Report, furnishing me not only with any opinion at which you may arrive, but also with a precise and full statement of all the facts of the case. When the valuable lives of a large number of Her Majesty's Forces have been lost in an endeavour to serve the Colony by entering one of its Harbors, it is no more than right to inquire what foundation there may be for a statement that the disaster might have been mitigated but for a neglect of the local Authorities to furnish the place with proper requirements. I have, &c, Newcastle. Governor Sir George Grey, K.C.B.

No. 9. THE HONORABLE THE COLONIAL SECRETARY TO THE SUPERINTENDENT, AUCKLAND. Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, 27th August, 1863. Sir,— I have the honor to enclose a copy of a Despatch, No. 70, dated the 28th May last, which has been received by His Excellency the Govomor from the Eight Honorable the Secretary of State for the Colonies, referring to charges made by Captain Wing, the Pilot at Manukau, on the occasion of the wreck of H.M.S. "Orpheus," against the late Provincial Government of Auckland for neglect of the Pilot Station at that place, and consequent responsibility for loss of life. I am given to understand that the letter in which Captain Wing made the charges, addressed as it was to your Honor, and communicated by you to the General Government, was laid by your Honor before the Provincial Council, and became the subject of enquiry by a Select Committee of that body. May I request your Honor to be good enough to furnish me with copies of the evidence taken before that Committee, and of their Report, in order that they may be transmitted to the Secretary of State. J As the subject of this correspondence is one directly implicating the Government of your Honor's pi-edecessor, I think it right to forward to him copies of it. I have, &c., • _ Alfred Domett. His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland.

No. 10. THE HONORABLE THE COLONIAL SECRETARY TO MB. JOHN WILLIAMSON. Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, 27th August, 1863. Sik, — I have the honor to enclose copies of correspondence relative to the condition of the Manukau Pilot Station at the time of the wreck of H.M.S., "Orpheus." As part of the Despatch of the Secretary of State for the Colonies alludes to a statement of Captain Wing, the Pilot at Manukau, implicating your Government when you held the office of Superintendent of the Province of Auckland, I think it right to forward for your information copies of those letters. I have, <tc, Alfred Domett. John Williamson, Esq., M.G.A.

No. li. THE SUPERINTENDENT, AUCKLAND, TO THE HONORABLE THE COLONIAL SECRETARY. Superintendent's Office, Auckland, 31st August, 1863. Sir, — In compliance with the request contained in your letter of date 27th instant, I have the honor to forward herewith copies of the evidence taken before the Committee of the Pro-

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