D.—No. 6.

my Eesponsible Advisers, he still reports that he has received information that the Chief "William Thompson has, since his visit to him on the 30th of August, and in accordance with his intention then expressed, visited several of the Waikato tribes, with a view to learning their sentiments and inducing them to make peace. Mr Mackay further adds, that, in as far as William Thomson is concerned, the natives state he is still inclined to make peace ; and in their opinion, if he did so, it would have the effect of drawing a considerable number of natives from the rebel party. 8. You will be glad to learn from the enclosed letter from Sir D. Cameron, and the accompanying enclosed telegrams, that William Thompson's son has just come in, given up his gun, and taken the oath of allegiance. 4. I regret the tone of anger in which my Responsible Advisors wrote to me in their memorandum of the 4th ulto.j a copy of which is enclosed, upon the subject of William Thompson. I can only say, that I do my best to arrive at just conclusions under circumstances of extreme difficulty,—and I think in this particular case I was right. 5. It will be found that, in their memorandum of the 4th of October, they state: — " Ministers should add, that they have received information from Tauranga that Thompson is reported to have become a convert to the new superstition that forms the bond of union between the rebels on the West Coast, and they have reason to believe that he has gone down to Taranaki to join that party. 6. On the contrary, Mr. Commissioner Mackay reports on the 18th of October as follows : — " During his (William Thompson's) stay at Hangatiki, a letter was received from the Native Angel (Horapapera) of Taranaki, offering to attack Ngaruwahia with forty men in December next, and expressing his ability to take it with that number, William Thompson is reported to have answered to the effect—' The Angel can remain at home.' I may mention that William Thompson has a great contempt for the ' Pai Marire' superstition; he voluntarily entered into a discussion with me about it, and spoke strongly against it." The Eight Hon. Edward Cardwell, M.P., &c.,&c, &c.

No. 58. Sir, — Government House, Auckland, 7th November, 1864. I have been requested by my Eespoiisible Advisers to transmit to you the enclosed Memorandum regarding the native prisoners having left the Island of Kawau. 2. My Besponsible Advisers express their regret that I have not furnished you with a fuller account of the circumstances attending that transaction, and that I appear to attribute the fact to a neglect on the part of the Colonial Government in not furnishing me with a report upon the subject. 3. I can only say that I am not yet in possession of all the information which I think necessary to enable me to forward a full and satisfactory report upon the subject, and that, until I can do so, I think it inexpedient to attempt to make such a report. 4. In the Ministerial memorandum enclosed it is stated as follows: — " The Colonial Secretary begs to remind His Excellency, that immediately after the news of the escape arrived in Auckland, His Excellency personally, without His Ministers, and without asking their advice, proceeded on board Her Majesty's ship ' Miranda' to the Kawau, and to the point on the Main where the escaped prisoners had landed. His Excellency took Mr. White, the superintendent of the prisoners, with him," &c, &c. 5. The facts of this case are, that when the report of the escape of the prisoners reached Auckland I did not believe it, and thought it right to hurry to the spot to ascertain was the report true. Mr. White, the superintendent of the prisoners, was in Auckland, absent from his post with the permission of my Responsible Advisers, not with mine ; and I thought it right, seeing him, to advise him to return at once to his post, taking him with me. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. Edward Cardwell, M.P., &c, &c, &c. G. Grey.

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TO THE RIGHT HON. EDWARD CARDWELL, M.P.