D.—No. 6.

5. I thought it my duty to write, requesting, on account of the great responsibility which must rest upon me in the eyes of the world, that a Medical Board, composed of naval and military surgeons, might be appointed, to inquire into the state of the hulk and prisoners, and to report whether they could be with safety retained on board the same hulk during the winter. 6. My Responsible Advisers, on the 9th of May, objected to the composition of the Medical Board I proposed, but agreed that a Board should be appointed ; adding, " They will be prepared shortly to submit the names of some gentlemen for the purpose." 7. I was surprised that I heard nothing further from them on the subject, and on the 22nd of May the Colonial Secretary left this place for Whanganui, without anything further being said on the subject to me. 8. On the 27th of May, the principal military Medical Officer in New Zealand, and the Sanitary Officer for Her Majesty's troops for New Zealand, called on me separately, and told me, in substance, that, after an inquest on the body of a native prisoner who had died, they had together visited the hulk on board which the prisoners of war were confined; that it was a most unfitting prison for them, and that some of them were there contracting the seeds of disease, which, if they did not die in confinement, must shorten their lives when released. 9. I immediately wrote to Ministers, calling their attention to the fact that I had heard nothing further from them in relation to the native prisoners and the promised Medical Commission since their memorandum of the 9th of May, and telling them the unfavourable reports that I had heard, and begging them to take immediate action in the matter. 10. They replied on the 30th May, stating that the delay in answering me had unfortunately arisen in consequence of the sudden departure of the Colonial Secretary for Whanganui, but that they were glad to be able to state, when it became evident that the prisoners would in all probability have to be detained in safe custody during the winter, Ministers gave careful consideration to the question of the fitness of the hulk for the accommodation of so many ; and it appeared to them that, having regard to their health and comfort, some change would be necessary. Ministers therefore immediately rented a house and a peninsula of 40 acres of land on the North Shore; the house was made an hospital for the sick, and the land used as a place of recreation for them all. 11. "Whilst, at the request of my Responsible Advisers, I was this day writing this Despatch to your Grace, I thought it would be desirable to ascertain the precise date when a commencement was made in carrying out this amelioration of the condition of the native prisoners on board the hulk. I therefore asked to be allowed to see any papers connected with the subject of the lease which had been taken of the house on the North Shore. 12. The papers, copies of which are enclosed, were then forwarded to me, from which I now learn, for the first time, that on the 13th of May the Medical Officer in charge of the prisoners wrote to the Native Minister, reporting that five prisoners were suffering from gunshot wounds (four of whom were unable to walk), and as confinement in these cases generally tends to deteriorate the system and retard recovery, he begged strongly to urge the necessity of their being brought on shore, and his being allowed to treat them there. 13. On the same day he reported that the prisoners were suffering from pains resulting from their having to sleep on hard wooden boards, and begging to be allowed to obtain straw mattrasses for them. 14. On the 14th May the Medical Officer in charge reported that seven of the prisoners, including Teoriori, had considerably suffered since their confinement on board, inasmuch as they at the present time seemed depressed in spirits, emaciated in frame, and inclined to yield to the least predisposing cause of disease, He therefore suggested that they ought at once to be removed on shore, where, with the facilities of exercise and other remedial measures, they would be allowed a fair chance of renovating their shattered constitutions. 15. I beg your Grace will understand, that I have earnestly, for a long time, and in the gentlest manner, pressed the subject of these prisoners on the consideration of my Responsible Advisers. I stated to them, on the 29th of April last, what were my feelings on the subject in these words : — " With all deference to the opinions of his Advisers, he thinks a very serious responsibility for such things rests upon him. He has done his utmost at all times to promote the views of his Advisers, and he only wished to show that, on a point where he felt so strongly, a responsibility really rested on him which gave him a strong claim on their consideration, which he hopes they will yet recognise." I have, &c, G. Grey. P.S.—My Responsible Advisers having stated that they would not be prepared to make remarks on this Despatch—which they should wish to do—until the mail which leaves on the Bth July, it has been detained until this date to meet their views. July 7th, 1864. G. Grey.

No. 30. Sir, — Government House, Auckland, 9th June, 1864. After the English Mail had been despatched yesterday, a letter was received from Mr Mainwaring, who is Resident Magistrate on the River "Waipa, stating that various circumstances which had recently transpired made it every day more obvious to him that the natives were determined to bring the apparent hill which had taken place in the war to an end, and that they will obstinately refuse any overtures of peace or mediation, whether emanating from their fellow-countrymen or from the Government. I have, &c, The Right Hon. Edward Cardwell, &c, Ac, &c. G. Grey.

No. 31. SrR, — Government House, Auckland, 7th July, 1864. T have the honor to transmit the copy of a letter which has been forwarded to me by Mr.

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DESPATCHES PROM HIS EXCELLENCY SIE G. GREY, K.C.B.