NEW r ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OE STATE.

A.—No. 1.

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son, who was murdered by the rebel Maoris, I am requested to forward the enclosed Ministerial Memorandum, this day received. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. Earl Granville, K.G. G. E. BOWEN.

Enclosure in No. 12. Memobandum by Mr. McLean. "With reference to Despatch No. 64, of 29th May, 1869, addressed to His Excellency by the Eight Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies, transmitting a copy of a letter from Mrs. Gascoigne, soliciting assistance on the ground of the loss she has sustained in the death of her son, Lieutenant Bamber Gascoigne, who was murdered by the Natives at Taranaki, Ministers respectfully request that His Excellency will, inform Earl Granville that as Lieut. Gascoigne was murdered, and not killed in action, the Military Eensions Act does not make provision for his relatives. It is, however, possible that the Legislature may take a favourable view of the case, and vote a pension to Mrs. Gascoigne ; and Ministers will feel much pleasure in submitting her claims for consideration during the next Session of the General Assembly. It will be necessary for Mrs. Gascoigne to furnish proof that she is in indigent circumstances, and also that she is the mother of the deceased officer referred to. Auckland, Bth Eebruary, 1870. Donald McLean.

No. 13. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to the Eight Hon. Earl Granville, K.G. (No. 20.) Government House, Auckland, My Lord, — New Zealand, 11th Eebruary, 1870. At the request of my Eesponsible Advisers, I have the honor to forward herewith a Memorandum from the Hon. Julius Vogel, Colonial Treasurer and Bostmaster-General, covering printed copies of the Contract recently entered into between the Government of New Zealand and the United States Consul in New South Wales, for the establishment of a mail service between Sydney, Auckland, and San Erancisco. 2. At the same time I am requested to transmit under flying seal, and to recommend to early and favourable consideration the enclosed letter addressed by Mr. Vogel to the Postmaster-General in London. 3. Since the failure of the Panama Line, and the opening of the railway across the North American Continent from New York to San Erancisco, great interest has been felt throughout this Colony in the opening of direct and speedy intercourse with the Mother Country by this new route. It will be seen from the Memorandum by Mr. Vogel, who has just returned from negotiating the Contract in Australia, that " there is every reason to expect that the neighbouring (Aus- " tralian) Colonies will contribute to the extent required of them, and that in any " case the service will continue." I have, &c, The Eight Hon. Earl Granville, K.G. G. E. BOWEN.

See Papers relative to the San Francisco Mail Service, E. No. 4.

Enclosure 1, p.

Enclosure 2, p.

No. 11. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to the Eight Hon. Earl Granville, K.G. (No. 21.) Government House, Auckland, My Lord, — New Zealand, 12th Eebruary, 1870. With reference to previous correspondence on the same subject, I am requested by my Eesponsible Advisers to transmit herewith, and to recommend to favourable consideration, the enclosed Ministerial Memorandum respecting the proposed sale of certain small allotments of land (amounting in the whole to less than four acres) situated within the grounds of the Barracks at Auckland and Wellington, of which Her Majesty's Government have ordered the transfer to this Colony on the final removal of the Imperial Troops. 2. The Commandant in New Zealand (Colonel Elliot, of the 18th Eoyal