NEW ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

A.—No. 1

63

Eegiment to Australia, and Colonel Elliot has acquainted me that he is taking the usual steps to procure shipping for this transfer. I annex a copy of my reply to Sir Trevor Chute's letter, in which I repeat the assurance given on former occasions, viz., that I shall, of course, always be ready to co-operate with him in carrying out loyally the instructions and views of Her Majesty's Government. It will be seen from Mr. McLean's Memorandum that the policy towards the Natives of which your Lordship has signified your approval, continues to be carried out successfully, and with all the speed consistent with prudence. lam shortly about to visit, for the second time, the principal Maori clans of the North, viz., the Ngapuhis and Earawas at the Bay of Islands, Mongonui, and Hokianga; the Ngatimarus, in the Gulf of Hauraki; the Ngaiterangis, Arawas, and others, in the Bay of Elcnty, and the Waikatos and Ngatimaniapotos, in the central interior of this Island.* I have, &c, The Bight Hon. Earl Granville, K.G. G. E. Bowen.

Enclosure 1 in No. 31. Governor of Ceylon to the Governor of New Zealand. Sir, —- Queen's House, Colombo, Ceylon, 6th October, 1869. I have the honor to transmit to you the accompanying telegraphic message, which I received last night from the Secretary of State for the Colonies. I regret to state that this telegram only reached me about five hours after the steamer of the sth had left Point-de-Gallc. I have, &c, His Excellency the Governor of New Zealand, Wellington. . Hercules Eobinson.

Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 1 in No. 31. Copy of Telegram from Lord Granville to Governor of Ceylon. Inform Governor of New Zealand that, except in case of unexpected calamity, Her Majesty's Government adhere to policy signified in Despatches Nos. 62 and 75. Shall write fully by mail.

Enclosure 2 in No. 31. Memorandum by Mr. McLean. Auckland, 17th December, 1869. Since the departure of the last English mail, the Colonial Government has been unremitting in its efforts to follow up the arrangements for peace concluded on the 9th ultimo by the Native Minister, with the "Waikato and the Ngatimaniopoto tribes. Mr. Fox, the Premier, has visited the powerful adherents of the Waikato at the Upper Wanganui, where he was received with demonstrations of a friendly nature ; an offer having been made by the chief Topia, one of their principal leaders, to assist in capturing Te Kooti. No opportunity has been lost sight of to effect a reconciliation with the Waikato and other tribes; at the same time care has been taken to avoid undue haste and pressure, which, with a race like the New Zealanders, would have the effect of impeding rather than promoting satisfactory relations. Te Kooti, joined by Kereopa, is still at large, and threatens some of our out-settlements. While every effort is being made in the Colony for the restoration of peace, it is with deep regret that Ministers have received the intelligence conveyed to your Excellency in Lord Granville's Despatch No. 115, of the 7th October last, intimating the determination of tho Imperial Government to withdraw immediately the 18th Eegiment, which has garrisoned the towns in the disturbed districts, and for which tho Colonial Legislature had pledged itself to pay whatever annual sum the Imperial authorities might require. The removal of the only regiment in the Colony, and the consequent loss of the moral support which it affords at ■ this juncture, cannot fail to affect seriously the present hopeful prospect of a satisfactory adjustment of Native affairs. Donald McLean.

Enclosure 3 in No. 31. The Governor of New Zealand to Major-General Sir Trevor Chute, K.C.B. Sir, — Auckland, 17th December, 1869. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt, on the 13th instant, of your letter of the 29th November ultimo, "J(L, forwarding, for my information, a copy of the War Office letter of the Bth October ultimo, (finally ordering the removal of the 2-lSih Eegiment from New Zealand,) and

* A map and other documents showing the distribution of the Maori clans were transmitted with my Despatch, No. 22, of 1868, and have been printed at pages 125-129 of the Parliamentary Papers on New Zealand, Part 1., presented in Juiy, 1869.