A.-No. 1

under review, had long daily interviews with the Minister at his private lodging, and met with the entertainment accorded to gentlemen under such circumstances. It has already been stated that the majority of the loyal Natives, so far from being ignored, are receiving salaries, pensions, or other benefits from the Colonial Chest. Mr. Taylor seems not to have known, when writing his letter, that, wisely or not, the General Assembly had already accorded a special representation to Maoris in addition to that which is open to all and is claimed by some of them in common with the European population. Several points in the Maori letters indicate the suggestions of Europeans. It is not like a Maori who has been warmly engaged in a contest to take the judicial tone of some of the writers and say that both sides have been wrong. The Whanganuis have never indicated to the Government any doubt of the cause they were helping, and to suppose that they fought for law and order, pure and simple, and in defence of a Government because it was a Government, although it was in the wrong, requires a belief in the civilization and political refinement of the race which can only excite a smile in any sober person who has a small acquaintance with the Maori population of New Zealand ; nor is it likely the Whanganuis would complain of money being spent on a Compensation Court. It is to be noticed that whilst in one of the Maori letters the name of Hori Kingi te Anana, the leading chief of Whanganui, heads the signatures, all the rest of which are of chiefs lately in rebellion; in the translation supplied by Mr. Taylor that name is omitted. Eor His Excellency the Governor. J. C. Eicmto^D.

No. 28. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. F. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to His Grace the Duke of Buckingham. (No. 12.) Government House. Wellington, My Lokb Duke, — 28th February, 1868. With reference to my Despatch No. 7, of the 20th instant, forwarding a Memorandum submitted to me by my Responsible Advisers on the subject of the general amnesty recommended by the Superintendent and Provincial Council of Auckland, I have now the honor to forward a further Memorandum, with accompanying returns, showing the number of prisoners convicted in March, 1866, of the murders of the Rev. C. F. Volkner, Mr. Pulloon, and others, or of being accessory thereto; and also the action taken by the Government of tins Colony with regard to the sentences passed respectively on those persons. I have, &c, His Grace the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos. G. F. BOWEN.

Enclosure in No. 28. Mbmoeawdtjm: by Mr. Stajtoiid. Wellington, 25th February, 1868. Adverting to the Memorandum of the 15th instant to His Excellency the Governor, recommending the pardon of certain Natives convicted of the murder of Mr. Pulloon, and to the Memorandum of the 11th instant, on the subject of the general amnesty recommended by the Superintendent and Provincial Council of the Province of Auckland; the enclosed return shows the number of persons convicted in March, 1866, of the murders of the Rev. C. S. Volkner and of Mr. Pulloon and others, or of being concerned therein, and also the action taken by the Government with regard to the sentences passed respectively on those persons. It will be seen from this return that the whole number of the condemned w»s thirty-live, and that of those twenty-nine were sentenced to death, and six to three years hard labor. In the first class five only have suffered the sentence passed on them ; the sentence of death passed on the remainder was commuted to penal servitude for various periods —in the case of eleven persons for life, of five to fourteen years, of four to seven years, of three to four years, and of one to one year. Of those under commuted sentences, three have died in prison, and on the Ist proximo nine will have received their pardons, which have not been granted indiscriminately or simultaneously, but at such times and under such circumstances as appeared to tend most to the ends of justice, and to securing the future good behaviour of those pardoned, while proving at the same time that the Government allowed due weight to any instances of good conduct displayed by the prisoners previously to their conviction, and to the j mediation of Europeans or loyal Natives who would undertake that in future they would live peacefully, i This will fully appear from the Memoranda, noted in the margin, copies of which are enclosed. Of the second class, namely, six prisoners who were sentenced to three years penal servitude for I being concerned in the plunder of the "Kate," on board of which Mr. i'ulloon and others were murdered, one has died in prison, two were pardoned on the 26th November, 1867, and the remaining three will bo pardoned on the Ist of next month, making in all fourteen who have received a free pardon. For His Excellency the Governor. E. AY. Stafford. P.S.- —A copy of a Memorandum by Ministers, dated 30th December, 1865, recommending the 8 trial of the prisoners referred to in this Memorandum by the Supreme Court, is enclosed for His Excellency's information. "

Memo, by Mr. Stafford, .Feb. 11, 1808. Memo, by Mr. Stafford, "Feb. 15, 1868.

See Appendix, 18GG. A. No. 1, p. 85.

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ZEAEAND TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE.