A.—No. 1

NEW ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

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" disturbed by the manner in which the question of the maintenance of Imperial " Troops in the Colony and some other matters have lately been discussed." I have, &c, The Eight Hon. Earl Granville, K.G. G. E. BOWEN. B.S. —I enclose a copy of a Telegram which I have been requested by my Ministers to transmit to your Lordship via Ceylon. G. E. B.

Enclosure 1 in No. 31. Memorandum by the Secretary for Defence and Native Affairs. Auckland, 24th November, 1869. Nothing of any moment has taken place with reference to the movements of the Colonial Eorces, beyond the defeat and dispersion of Te Kooti's band at Taupo, which was reported last month. It is believed that Te Kooti, with seventy fugitives, is concealed in some of the fastnesses at the back of the Tuhua Mountain, a wild and inaccessible part of the interior, bordering on the Waikato country, and at the source of the Wanganui Eiver. The most important occurrence of the month, and one which it is confidently hoped will be followed by the best results to the country, is the visit of the Native Minister to Waikato, and his interview with the leading chiefs of tho Maori King party. Eor nearly nine years the Waikato chief's have held themselves aloof from the Government of the country, and, to render their isolation more complete, have established " aukatis," or boundaries, over which any one passing without sufficient authority, was subjected to the severest punishment. Unsuccessful attempts had. been previously made to bring about a meeting with a view to establish more amicable relations. During the past few months the Government opened communications with Tawhiao and his people through some of their own chiefs, and friendly interchanges, expressive of confidence, have taken place. The efforts of the Government for the restoration of peace, and the success of the Colonial Eorces, as previously reported, have induced a favourable change among the Natives, and a general feeling appears to be gaining ground that it is desirable to suppress outrage and murder. Manuwhiri and Eewi expressed a wish to see Mr. McLean, which Mr. Hetit, the only European permitted to reside on the confines of the disaffected country, communicated at once. It was felt that a good opportunity presented itself of opening a direct communication with the Waikato chief's under the immediate control of Tawhiao, Mr. McLean therefore started for the Upper Waikato without delay. His Excellency's attention is respectfully drawn to the printed account of the interview of tho 9th instant with the Waikato chiefs, hereunto appended. Notwithstanding the satisfactory nature of this conference, disturbances may and no doubt will still arise in different parts of the country ; and even in the altered aspect of affairs, with frontiers exposed to the raids of a warlike race ready to take arms on the slightest provocation, it is necessary there should be no relaxation of preparations for the punishment of crime and the protection of life and property. There are many difficulties yet to be surmounted before peace can be settled on a permanent basis. It is hoped, however, that the continuance of the moral support afforded by the presence of Imperial Troops, the occasional presence of some of Her Majesty's ships of war on our coast, the maintenance of a well-trained constabulary, together with the adoption of measures suited to the condition of the people, may have the effect of establishing relations of a more satisfactory nature with the aboriginal tribes, a consummation which, it is believed, will be equally gratifying to the Imperial Government as to the colonists of New Zealand. G. S. Cooper. His Excellency the Governor.

Enclosure 2 in No. 31. Telegram from the Governor of New Zealand to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. Auckland, New Zealand, 25th November, 1869. Preliminaries of peace have been arranged with the so-called Maori King and his adherents. The Colonial Government believe that there is now a sure prospect of permanent tranquillity, unless the moral support of the Eighteenth (18th) Eegiment should be withdrawn at this critical period. The Commissioners, Mr. Dillon Bell and Dr. Eeatherston, proceed to England this month. G. P. Bowen.

No. 32. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to the Eight Hon. Earl Granville, K.G. (No. 157.) Government House, Auckland, My Lord, — New Zealand, 11th December, 1869. At the request of my Eesponsible Advisers, I have the honor to transmit the enclosed Ministerial Memorandum, respecting your Lordship's Circular Despatch of the Bth September ultimo, on the subject of the Colonial Conference proposed to be held in London in next Eebruary.