A.—No. 9

CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF NEW ZEALAND AND THE HON. W. FITZIIERBERT.

No. 1. The Hon. W. Fitzheebeet to the Hon. E. W. Staffoed. Oxford and Cambridge Club, Sic,— Pall Mall, S.W., 18th February, 1868. Since my last communication I have had two lengthened interviews with His Grace the Duke of Buckingham. Mr. Adderley, Mr. Hunt, and other gentlemen connected with the Treasury and Colonial Office, ■wore present. The Imperial claims and Colonial counter-claims were discussed very fully. I have to-day had a private interview with His Grace, and he has appointed Friday next, at halfpast ten o'clock, for a further conversation on the subject. It would be premature in me to anticipate the result; but should Ibe able to report effectively I will address you via Marseilles. 1 have, &c, The Hon. E. W. Stafford, Colonial Secretary. William Fitziiekbekt.

No. 2. The Hon. W. Fitzheebeet to the Hon. E. "VV. Staffoed. Oxford and Cambridge Club, Sic,— 29th February, 1868. You will have been informed by my Despatch of the 18th instant, via Suez, that the question of the Imperial! claims and Colonial counter-claims had been opened at that date, and that His Grace the Duke of Buckingham had granted me interviews relative thereto. Since then I have held frequent communication with the Colonial Office on the same subject. Although I am unable at present to state that any definite result has been secured by the explanations which I. have been enabled to offer on the part of the Colony, yet I have reason to believe that, so far as regards these claims, a more favourable impression towards the Colony than hitherto existed has been produced on the mind of the Colonial Office. I have, &c, The Hon. E. W. Stafford, Colonial Secretary, William Fitzheebeet. Wellington, New Zealand.

No. 3. The Hon. W. Fitzheebeet to the Hon. E. W. Staffoed. Oxford and Cambridge Club, Sib,— Pall Mall, London, Ist April, 1868. It is gratifying to me to be able to report to you, for the information of your Government, the result of the negotiations which has been arrived at with His Grace the Duke of Buckingham and Chaudos, relative to the Imperial claim and Colonial counter-claims, as indicated in the enclosed copies of correspondence. It is unnecessary for me to particularize the various phases which from time to time the negotiation assumed. I confine myself to the observation that the conclusion was not arrived at until after numerous long interviews, during which the arguments on both sides were exhausted. I deem it, however, incumbent on me to record my opinion, as representing the Colony in the