ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

79

A.—No. 1.

■are more distinguished than your tribe for bravery in war. War has now ended, and I see with pleasure Maori and Pakeha meeting here in mutual trust and friendship. The energies which have been employed in strife may now again be directed to those arts which Wiremu Tamihana once loved ; and Pakeha and Maori may emulate each other in making this beautiful land more beautiful still, by ■covering it with gardens and orchards —with cornfields, pasture, and towns. This is the desire of the Queen, who has sent me to be her representative; this is my desire, and the desire of the Ministers, of the Legislature, and of all the Europeans in New Zealand. If my coining among you can in any way bind closer the friendship of the two races, it will be my greatest pleasure often to visit the places where they dwell together. I hope next year I may be able to see you in your own villages, and to stay longer among you. Meantime let your work be untiring to spread peace and goodwill—to bring back the stray sheep of the Maori race. My hand and the hand of my Government is stretched out to receive them. I had hoped that the coming of the Prince, the Queen's son, might have been the occasion of ending all bitterness and anger. His visit has been prevented by evil men, but it will rejoice the heart of the Queen to know how wide and how warm have been the indignation and sympathy excited by the crime against her son. He has requested me to say to both races how great is his sorrow that he could not visit New Zealand. As for what was said by one of the speakers respecting the river, hearken ye to my word. The river is, and always has been, the common highway of both races —of the Pakeha and of the Maori. All who go up and down upon the river on their lawful errands will be protected by the law. With regard to what was said respecting the land, listen again to my word. The Government gave due warning that those who rebel against the Queen and the law would be punished by the loss of their lands. But large reserves of land have been made in the Waikato, and also at Mangere near Auckland, and in many other districts, with the object of rewarding the loyal, and of providing homes and subsistence for all those who desire to return to the paths of peace and quietness. Let all such apply to the Government in the lawful manner, and full provision will be made for them. And now, oh my friends, in conclusion, I thank you for your good wishes for myself, for my wife, and for our children. Your loyal and friendly words will strengthen my hands to labour strenuously for law, peace, and union.

Enclosure 5 in No. 49. Map showing the Confiscated Lands in the Province of Auckland, also, the Territory of the Maori King now enclosed by an aukati.

No. 50. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. F. Bowes, G.C.M.G., to His Grace the Duke of .Buckingham:. (No. 52.) Government House, Wellington, My Loed Duke,— Ist July, 1868. 1. I have the honor to report that I left Auckland on the sth and reached Wellington on the 21st ultimo, after a very interesting voyage, during which I visited the principal ports, English settlements, and Native tribes, on the East Coast of the North Island of New Zealand, spending also several days at Napier, the capital of the Province of Hawke's Bay. Nothing could exceed the cordiality of my reception alike by the Europeans and by the Maoris on this as on my other official tours. Addresses full of expressions of loyalty to the Queen, and of welcome and goodwill to myself were everywhere presented by both races. 2. The harbour of Tauranga is the best between Auckland and Wellington; and the township on its shores is now the centre of one of the military settlements. It will be recollected that the regular troops and Naval Brigade suffered very severe loss at the assault, in 1864, of the pa erected by the Ngaiterangi tribe three miles from Tauranga, and generally known as the Gate Pa, from its commanding the entrance to the inland districts, at a point where the road passes along a narrow tract of firm ground between two extensive swamps. The Ngaiterangis were afterwards completely defeated at Te llanga, four miles further in the interior ; and they have since for the most part returned to their villages, and are living peaceably. Enoka te Whanake and the other principal chiefs who fought against the Crown during the war, had assembled to welcome me on my landing at Tauranga; and the English settlers, with excellent taste and good feeling, invited them to the public dinner, which they gave in my honor ; Captain Palmer, R.N., and the officers of 11.M.5. " Rosario " were also present. After the customary loyal and patriotic toasts, and the health of the Governor had been disposed of, the chairman, (one of the leading Military Settlers,) gave : " Our guests, the Maori "chiefs —lately our brave enemies in war, and now our friendly neighbours in peace."