NEW ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

65

A.—No. 1.

Enclosure 4 in No. 57. Detective Inspector Thomson to the Acting Undee Seceetaet for Defence, Wellington. Sic, — Armed Constabulary (Detective Branch), Auckland, 15th March, 1872. Referring to your letter of the 21st ultimo, No. 23 (re alleged enlistments here for military service at the Fiji Islands), which reached my office during my temporary absence on duty in the Bay of Plenty District, I have the honor to report that since my return I have caused careful inquiries to be made in the matter, and have ascertained that the rumour mentioned in your letter, and embodied in a paragraph which went the round of the Press about two months ago (taken from the Thames Advertiser), has no better foundation than the following facts : — About the middle of January last, one " Crichton " or " Creighton," formerly connected with the Volunteer movement as a Sergeant-Major and Drill Instructor at the Thames, returned to Auckland after a short absence at Levuka, and informed some of his friends that he was empowered by the Fijian Government to enrol men for military service at Fiji; and his friends speaking of the matter at the Thames, the statement eventually found its way into the columns of the local Press. Creighton, who is spoken of as a reputed liar, and of very intemperate habits, left the Thames considerably in debt, and has only spent one day there since his return from Fiji. He has neither sufficient personal influence nor social status to induce people here to look upon him as a duly appointed agent of the Fiji Government or any other Government. As the result of the inquiries made in the matter, I am in a position to state advisedly that not a single man has been enrolled either here or at the Thames for the service in question, and in this opinion Major Gordon fully concurs with me. Such enlistments (on however small a scale) could no more take place at the Thames than here, without the knowledge of Major Cooper or Sub-Inspector Bullen, of the Constabulary, to both of whom I have spoken on the subject. Creighton has not been seen here for some time past, but lam having further inquiries made, and should any information be obtained relative to this matter (worth reporting), will duly report same. I have, &c, G. S. Cooper, Esq., Under Secretary. J. Bell Thomson, Inspector, A.C.

Enclosure 5 in No. 57. The Goyeenoe of New Zealand to Consul Maech. Sic,— Government House, "Wellington, New Zealand, 27th March, 1872. Adverting to your letter of the 11th December ultimo, and to my reply of the 22nd January ultimo, I have now further to inform you that the Colonial Government, acting with the advice of the Attorney-General, have caused strict inquiry to be made; and that you will perceive, from the enclosed police report, that there is no foundation for the rumour to which you refer, of men having been enlisted in this Colony for military service in Fiji. I have, &c, Edward March, Esq., H.B.M.'s Consul, Eiji. G. E. Bowen.

No. 58. Copt of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to the Bight Hon. the Earl of Kimbebxey. (No. 35.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord, — New Zealand, 30th March, 1872. In my Despatch No. 109, of the 20th November ultimo, I reported that, towards the end of the last Session of the New Zealand Parliament, a difference arose between the Legislative Council and the House of Representatives concerning certain points of law and privilege. Einally, however, an amicable arrangement was effected, on the understanding that the questions involved in the dispute should be referred for the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown in England. Accordingly, a case has been prepared by the Managers of both Houses in the terms of Article 405 of the Colonial Regulations. 2. I have this day received the enclosed Ministerial Memorandum, in which my Responsible Advisers request me to transmit the annexed documents, forwarded in quadruplicate, as is required by the Regulations. I am, &c, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. G. E. BOWEN. .

Memo, hy Mr. Gisborne, March 30, 1872.

Enclosure in No. 58. Memoeandttm by Mr. Gisboene. Me. Gisboene has the honor to transmit to His Excellency the enclosed papers, including a Case stating facts agreed upon for reference to the Law Officers of the Crown, in. accordance with the Resolutions of the Legislative Council and House of Representatives, relating to a question of privilege between both Houses last Session. His Excellency is respectfully requested to forward these papers to the Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in order that the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown may be obtained on the questions at issue. Wellington, 30th March, 1872. W. Gisboene. 17