DESPATCHES EROM THE GOVERNOR OF NEW

A.—No. la.

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Under all these circumstances, so far as the Company is concerned, I am quite unable to alter former arrangements, however willing I feel to meet your convenience in every possible form. In order to make any changes now it would involve a loss of some hundreds of pounds to the Company. I have, &c, B. J. Duncan, The Besident Transport Officer, Auckland. Manager, N.Z.S.N. Company. P.S. —I should have called at your office, but having to see His Excellency the Governor before leaving at noon, I am unable to do so. The " Ahuriri" left the Manukau at noon of Eriday, after which time it was impossible to countermand tho arrangements entered into. Forwarded for the information of the Major-General Commanding. I do not altogether agree with many of Mr. Duncan's statements, as my notice to him of the Ist instant gave ample time to stop or postpone arrangements. The Major-General may perhaps be-enabled on his arrival at Whanganui to give further directions in regard to these troops. ©avid Spain, Captain, 4th June, 1867. Besident Transport Officer.

No. 16. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir George Grey, K.C.8., to the Right Hon. the Duke of Buckingham, (No. 79.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord Duke, — 7th August, 1867. I have the honor herewith to transmit a Petition to Her Most Gracious Majesty, from the Legislative Council in New Zealand, in relation to the statements made hy Colonel Weare, C.8., which they have requested me to forward to your Grace ; at the same time stating their earnest desire that your Grace would be pleased to lay it before the Queen. I have, &c, His Grace the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos. G. GREY.

Enclosure 1 in No. 16. Copy of a Petition from the Legislative Council to Hee Majesty the Queen. To tho Queen's Most Excellent Majesty. Most Gracious Sovereign,— We, the Legislative Council of New Zealand in Council assembled, humbly pray that Your Majesty will be graciously pleased to direct that the annexed resolutions, which have been passed by the Legislative Council, together with the accompanying papers, be laid before both Houses of the Imperial Parliament, in order that the unfounded charges which have been made against the Governor, the Government, and the inhabitants of New Zealand, as well as the refutation and withdrawal of these charges, may become known to the Legislature and people of Great Britain. T. H. Bartlet, Speaker.

Enclosure 2 in No. 16. Extract from the Jouenal of the Legislative Council dated 2nd August, 1867. Eesolved : 1. That the thanks of this Council are due to His Excellency the Governor for the prompt and able manner in which he has vindicated the honour of the Government of New Zealand from the unfounded charges made against it, on the authority of certain statements of Colonel Weare, C.8., viz.: —Of urging Major-General Chute to the commission of atrocities by Her Majesty's troops, and of permitting the perpetration of barbarities by the Native allies, which have been stigmatized as " a stain upon the Christian character of the nation." 2. That the mode of correspondence wliich has been adopted, and the course generally which has been pursued by Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies towards the Governor and Government of New Zealand, in reference to the unfounded allegations of Colonel Weare, are calculated to impair the authority of Her Majesty's Bepresentative in this Colony, to prejudice the best interests of Her Majesty's Service, and to cause injustice to Her Majesty's loyal subjects of both races hi New Zealand. 3. That a copy of these resolutions, together with a copy of the " Papers relative to the Statements made by Colonel Weare, C.8.," which have been presented to both Houses of the General Assembly of New Zealand, be forwarded to His Excellency the Governor for transmission to the Secretary of State, with a humble petition from this Council to the Queen, praying that Her Majesty will be graciously pleased to direct that they may be laid before both Houses of the Imperial Parliament. L. Stowe, Clerk of the Legislative Council.