NEW ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

83

A.—No. 1

« The Queen wishes to express at the same time, on the part of the Princess of Wales, her feelings "of heartfelt gratitude, for she has been as deeply touched as the Queen by the great and universal :< manifestations of loyalty and sympathy. ~*n™i tt " The Queen cannot Conclude without expressing her hope that her faithful subjects will continue 11 their prayers to God for the complete recovery of her dear son to health and strength.

No. 65. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to the Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. fTVn 4fi 1 Government House, Auckland, My Lord — New Zealand, 14th May, 1872. I have the honor to report that the Governor of Queensland (the Marquis of Normanby) has informed me that Captain Moresby, of H.M.S. " Basilisk " recently boarded, off Cardwell, in that Colony, a water-logged schooner, supposed to be the "Peri" of Auckland, and to have been "employed in the " kidnapping trade." . . ' 2 The Government of New Zealand, at my instance, caused inquiry to be made by the proper authorities respecting this matter. It has been ascertained that a vessel named the "Peri" formerly belonged to the Port of Auckland, but was transferred more than a year ago, under a bill of sale or mortgage, to a person resident in the Eiji Islands. # , _ 3 The allegations made in Australia as to certain persons resident in New Zealand and certain ships stated to belong to this Colony, having been connected with crimes and irregularities committed in the South Sea Islands, seem to have hitherto failed to bear the test of inquiry. However, my Responsible Advisers assure me that constant vigilance will continue to be maintained by the authorities of New Zealand. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. G. E. BOWEN.

No. 66. Copt of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to the Eight Hon. the Earl of Kxmberley. (No 47 Government House, Auckland, My Lord — New Zealand, 15th May, 1872. In my Despatch No. 37, of the 9th ultimo, I reported my setting forth on my iourney overland from Wellington to Auckland, through the central and recently hostile districts of this Island; my arrival at the great Lake (or Sea as it is called by the Natives,) of Taupo,* in the heart of the Native districts; and the cordial and respectful welcome given to me by the Maori clans,—alike by those which had remained loyal throughout the war, and by those which had lately been in arms against the Queen. 2 I have now the satisfaction of reporting that the second half was as prosperous as the first half of my expedition; and that I reached Auckland on the 24th ultimo, at the end of what has been truly called " an important and " memorable iourney." All those who are best acquainted with the Maoris and with this country generally agree with the opinions expressed in the annexed, leading article of one of the principal journals of New Zealand :— "The tour overland through an extensive tract of country chiefly owned and " occupied by the Native tribes of New Zealand, which has just been accomplished « so successfully by His Excellency Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, will go farther to " reassure the people of England with respect to the satisfactory settlement of the " Native difficulty than a thousand arguments and ex parte statements on the " subiect Throughout the entire distance traversed by His Excellency and the " few attendants who accompanied him from Napier northward till they reached " the Upper Waikato, the most cheerful demonstrations of welcome and good-will « were everywhere accorded to the Queen's representative. Not only by the * The Maoris call Taupo " Moana," i.e. sea, not " roto," i.e. lake.

S uthem Cross, Ist May, 1872.