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No. 40. (New Zealand—General.) Sib, — Downing Street, 9th September, 1887. With reference to your Despatch No. 33, of the 17th May, 1886, I have the honour to transmit to you, for information in the colony under your Government, a copy of the convention between Great Britain and the Eepublic of Salvador, signed on the 23rd June, 1886, for prolonging the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation of the 24th October, 1862. The ratifications of the Convention, to which New Zealand does not adhere, were exchanged on the Bth July last. I have, &c, H. T. HOLLAND. Governor Sir W. E. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8., &c, [For enclosure, see New Zealand Gazette, 24th November, 1887, p. 1462.]

A.-l, 1887, Sess. L, No. 7.

No. 41. (New Zealand, No. 58.) Snt,— Downing Street, 13th September, 1887. I have the honour to transmit to you, for communication to your Government, a copy of a letter addressed by Mr. T. P. Moody, of Kawakawa, to the Marquis of Salisbury, forwarding a statement of certain alleged grievances of the Ngapuhi Tribe of Maoris. I. request that you will draw Mr. Moody's attention to the enclosed extract from the Colonial Office Eegulations, at the same time explaining that the rule there laid down equally applies to communications addressed to the Prime Minister. I should be glad to be informed of the manner in which the complaint is dealt with. I have, &c, H. T. HOLLAND. Governor Sir W. E. D. Jervois, G.C.M.G., C.8., &c.

Enclosure. Kawakawa, Bay of Islands, via Auckland, My Loed, — New Zealand, 20th July, 1887. I have the honour, by request of Maiti Paraone Kawiti, chief of Ngapuhi Tribe of Maoris, to forward to you the enclosed statement written by himself. It sets forth certain grievances under which he alleges he has for years suffered and is still suffering, and prays for redress. Maihi would be thankful for a favourable consideration of his grievances, and a reply from your Lordship. I have, &c, Thomas Peaeson Moody. The Most Noble the Marquis of Salisbury, Premier, England.

Sub-Enclosure. Waiomio, Kawakawa, Bay of Islands, New Zealand, 12th July, 1887. To my Lord the Most Noble the Marquis of Salisbury, and Her Majesty Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Greeting to you, 0 Queen, in the assurance which you have made to the Maori people of New Zealand of your protection, and in your regard and that of your Majesty's kingdom which now covers the Native people of New Zealand. Greeting to you in your assurance of protection of the Native people, as recorded in the covenant made at the Treaty of Waitar ' and set forth as follows : " Her Majesty Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain ana Ireland, regarding with her royal favour the Native chiefs and tribes of New Zealand, and anxious to protect their just rights and property, and to secure to them the enjoyment of peace and good order," &c. 2. The second point has reference to your guarantee to the Natives of New Zealand in the 71st clause of the Constitution Act of the 30th June. It is set forth : " And whereas it may be expedient that the laws, customs, and usages of the aboriginal native inhabitants of New Zealand, so far as they are not repugnant to the general principles of humanity, may be maintained for the government of themselves in all their relations to and dealings with each other, and that particular districts should be set apart within which such laws, customs, or usages should be so observed: It shall be lawful for Her Majesty, by any letters patent to be issued under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom, from time to time to make provision for the purposes aforesaid, any repugnancy of any such Native laws, customs, or usages to the law of England, or to any law, statute, or usages in force in New Zealand or in any part thereof, in any wise notwithstanding." Your words of royal favour for the Maori people here ended. If it is true that the foregoing were your words, let me see their fulfilment.