A.—No. 1

honor to report that my departure from Wellington was delayed for some days by the pressure of public business ; but that I left the seat of Government on the 22nd, and landed at Auckland on the 25th instant. 2. I enclose the accounts of my reception here as given by the two daily journals published in this City. All the arrangements were made in excellent taste ; and nothing could exceed the enthusiasm displayed: by all classes of the community. The newspapers transmitted herewith contain the principal addresses presented to me, together with my replies. My acknowledgments were expressed in the following terms in answer to the address read by the Superintendent of the Province of Auckland: —" I thank, in the name of the Queen, your Honor and " the inhabitants of this Province, for the magnificent reception which you have " accorded to me, as Her Majesty's Kepresentative, on the occasion of my first visit "to Auckland. It is my firm belief that no Governor of a British Colony—nay " more, that few public men in England —have ever been greeted with more genuine " respect, with more overflowing kindness, with a more enthusiastic welcome than " I was greeted by the thousands of my fellow-countrymen and of the Maori race, " who to-day crowded the wharves and lined the streets of your City. This " demonstration cannot fail to be personally gratifying to Lady Bowen and myself; " while it is most satisfactory, on public grounds, as a fresh proof of your devoted "loyalty to our Sovereign, and of your patriotic attachment to our Mother " Country." ?>. The details of the recent atrocious attempt to assassinate the Duke of Edinburgh at Sydney, were not known at Auckland on my arrival here ; but a rumour was in circulation to the effect that His Royal Highness had been providentially protected from harm. On this point, one of the principal organs of the local press makes the following remarks : " disconcerting as this information " was, it had two very visible effects. The first was that peculiar expression which "is as uniformly visible on the faces of many as of one, denoting abhorrence and " disgust ; and the second was a determination to make the reception of His " Excellency something more than a personal compliment ; in short a demonstra- " tion of loyalty to the Sovereign and mother of the young Prince whose life had " been endangered, testified in the respect offered to Her Majesty's newly appointed " Representative in this country." 4. It will be seen from the enclosed narratives that on landing at Auckland I was welcomed not only by many thousands of my fellow-countrymen, but also by the principal Maori chiefs of the Northern districts of New Zealand, headed by Emera Patuone, who, with his brother Tamati Waka Nene, has ever been the firm friend of the English in peace, and their brave ally in war. While I was rowed ashore in one of the boats of H.M.S. "Falcon," these chiefs, and the numerous assemblage of Maoris of both sexes that surrounded them on the pier, presented a sight in the highest degree picturesque and affecting, as they chanted their national songs of welcome, at the same time waving their mantles in the air, after the traditional custom of their race. 5. Several of the addresses presented to me by the Maoris are interesting and suggestive, especially that read by the chief Paora Tuhaere, of which I annex a translation, together with a copy of my reply to it. I have caused my acknowledgements of all the addresses presented by the Maoris to be. circulated among them in their own language. 6. In conclusion, I would observe that the proceedings described in the enclosures to this Despatch cannot fail to be satisfactory to all persons interested in the welfare of this Colony ; for these papers contain strong proofs of the general loyalty of both races of Her Majesty's subjects in New Zealand to the Throne, and also of their growing mutual goodwill. It will be seen that the desire that Europeans and the Maoris shall henceforward dwell together in peace and harmony is made the burden of many of the addresses alike from the Colonists and from the Natives. I have, &c, His Grace the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos. G. F. BOWEN.

Enclosure No. 1. Daily Southern Cross, March 26, 1863; Enclosure No. 2. New Zealand Herald, Mar. 26, 1868. Enclosure No. 3, Auckland Provincial Government Gazette, March 25, 1868.

Enclosure No. 2, New Zealand Herald.

Enclosure Wo. 4. Enclosure No. 5. See Auckland Provincial Gazette, 2nd June, 1868.

63

ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE.