ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE

71

A.—No. 1

No. 47. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to His Grace the Duke of Buckingham. (No. 43.) Government House, Auckland, My Loud Duke,— 29th May, 1868. In continuation of previous Despatches on the same subject, I have now the honor to transmit herewith for presentation to Her Majesty further addresses to the Queen from various parts of this Colony, expressing (in terms similar to those of the addresses already forwarded) the indignation of the people of New Zealand at the attempt recently made at Sydney to assassinate the Duke of Edinburgh, together with their devotion to Her Majesty's throne and person, and their sympathy with His lloyal Highness. 2. I have stated on previous occasions that the Maoris generally concur in these sentiments with their fellow-subjects of European blood. An additional proof of the prevalence of these loyal feelings will be found in an interesting and gratifying fact which has recently been brought to my knowledge. It had been arranged that the Duke of Edinburgh during his jirojected tour in New Zealand should visit the celebrated hot lakes and springs, which are situated at some distance inland from the eastern coast of the North Island. The loyal Arawa tribe, through whose territory it is necessary to pass to reach the lakes from the sea at Tauranga, spontaneously undertook by their personal labour —the chiefs and their clansmen working together —and without any remuneration from the Colonial Government, to construct a road sixty miles in length for the convenience of His lloyal Highness. This road was recently travelled over with ease and comfort by a party of English ladies and gentlemen, who state that the Maoris have also erected pavilions along the route, and have provided boats on the lakes in anticipation of the visit of the " Queen's son," as they affectionately style the Duke of Edinburgh. I have, &c, His Grace the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos. G. E. BOWEN.

No. 48. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to His Grace the Duke of Buckingham. (No. 45.) Government House, Auckland, My Lord Duke, — 2nd June, 1868. I have the honor to report that I returned last week from an official tour through the Waikato District, which, as your Grace is aware, was the chief scene of the recent war, and contains the principal military settlements placed on the territory confiscated for rebellion. 2. I was accompanied by the Minister for Native Affairs (Mr. Richmond), the Superintendent of the Province of Auckland (Mr. Williamson), the Provincial Surveyor (Major Heaphy, who was rewarded by the Queen with the Victoria Cross for his gallant conduct as an Officer of the Colonial forces), and by other functionaries of Government. 3. I was everywhere received, by the Colonists and by the Maoris alike, with addresses of welcome and other cordial demonstrations of loyalty to the Queen, and of goodwill to myself as Her Majesty's Representative. My reception was particularly interesting at Ngaruawahia, the old Maori capital, which was entered by General Cameron in December, 1863, and is now the centre of the military settlements. I was met there by the principal settlers of the neighbouring country, and also by those Maori chiefs of the Waikato, who remained loyal to the Crown throughout the late contest. 4. By the next mail I hope to transmit maps and other documents now in course of preparation, and intended to show the present condition of the British settlements in the interior of the North Island of New Zealand, and also the present position and attitude of the so-called Maori king and his adherents. I have, &c, His Grace the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos. G. F. BOWEN.