[Enclosure No. 12.]

Lord Palmerston To Captain Hobson, R.N.

The object which Her Majesty’s Government have in view in stationing a Consul at New Zealand is intimately connected with the colonial policy of this country, with the Colonial Department as well as with the Foreign Office. I have accordingly to desire that you will obey whatever instructions you may receive from the Secretary of State for the Colonial Department, and that you will report to him from time to time as occasion may require.

You will confine your reports to me to the consular matters which are adverted to in my Despatch No. 1 of this day’s date.