Reply. Auckland, Dec. 6, 1846.

New Zealander, Volume 1, Issue 28, 13 December 1845, Page 3

Reply. Auckland, Dec. 6, 1846.

Gentlemen,— The Addrest with which I am honoured by you, gives me much gratification, ■ not only on account of the feelings manifestedtowards myself and my family : but because it affords me an opportunity of expressing to you. my own opinion of some subjects on which you ' have commented. I was not aware that the " integrity of mr principles," or the " purity of my motives," had been impugned by, any, excepting a few unprincipled persons, to whom pi>rity of motif* •eems incomprehensible. Most of the public prints in this colony, ar« known to be the organs of a few, — who hava purposes to «ervej but the principal contributor* to them, and their characters, though notorious here,— have yet to be made public in England. < The views and opinions of the best informed aud ablest men, of unimpeachable habit* and character, appear but seldom now in priut. You express fears lest in '• the fervency of my zeal to promote the interests of the Aborigines, 1 should have unconsciously injured the object* of my solicitude, by losing sight of the fuuda- , mental pi inciples, that indulgence may be abused, and forbearance misconstrued." 1 am not aware in what manner the aborigine* have been too much indulged by me. I cannot regret any forbearance shewn to them by tbfr local government. Had I not treated them with, consideration, and had not the public authorities been veiy forbearing, the destruction of Auckland* and Wellington, would have been matters ofi history before this period. An overpowering multitude have been restrained hitherto, by moral influence ; had physical force been tried; in earnest, when there were but two small de; tachments of troops, in, the island, and no R^acc*^ for either refuge or defence; the overthrow and ruin of our settlements must have been the inevitab le cunsequences. Published despatches shew that additional effective forces were repeatedly refused, to the reiterated applications of successive Governor* ok* New Zealand ; and that even a resolution of the Parliamentary Committee, in July, 1844, wa» rendered nugatory by the Secretary of State* subsequent declaration, that the " Military force* '' in New Zealand must still continue limited' m amount, and must, as far as possible, be concentrated at the principal settlements. My object always was to avoid bringing on a trial of physical strength, with those, who jjj tlwtrespect, weie overwhelmingly our superiors }j but gradually to gain the necessary influence and, authority by a course of scrupulous justice, truth, and benevolence. 1 undertook a very difficult ta*k, knowing what was before me : I had previously visited NewZealand, and in another country I had encountered savages much inferior to the well armed warrior of New Zealand, and had cause to regret the loss of live«, in despeiate struggles. ' '

lam not aware that any of those who bare honoured me by signing the address to which I am replying, have devoted more attention to. lh« •übjeet of dealing with aborigines, than I have done during the last twenty years. I am myself thoroughly convinced that itrtct honesty ahid common kindness towatds the aborigines, is not only our duty as humane and educUed men, — but, beyond a doubt, the best policy. Respecting any " stigma," that may have been cait on my character as a " financier," I am happy tp assure >ou that the consciousness of having •aved numbers fioin ruin and absolute starvation, by my incurring personal blame from theorists, is to myself a source of real satisfaction. What the present condition of Auckland, if not of the other settlements, also would have been, without any government expenditure, and without a circulating medium, it is easy, however painful, to imagine. In conclusion, I beg that you will accept my thanks, on behalf of Mrs. Fitzroy and my family, fir your .earnest prayer for our health, and aaf« , return to our native country ; and for the motives which prompted your address. j 1 have the honour to be, Gentlemen, Tour obedient humble servant, '. ROBERT fcTTZROY, R.N. Late Governor of New Zealand. To the Gjentlemen who signed the Address.

Arm y.— Orders have been transmitted to New South Wales, to detach six companies, belonging Irt the 58th, 96th and 99th Regiments, to New Zealand; six companies of the 11th Regt , at present on their passage to New South Wales, are also ordered to be despatched to New Zealand, and four companies only of each are to remain at head quarters. The twenty five guntiers and drivers of Captain Turner's company from Woolwich were under orders for New Zealand, this company has been withdrawn from its tnrn of foreign service, which would have been to proceed to Halifax, Nova Scotia. There is reason to believe the wbolecompany will proceed to New Zealand, though perhaps not in the same vessel. The remainder of the 11th Liegt., consisting of JO Sergeants, and 240 rank and file, with 30 women and 40 children, embarked on board the ship Ramilies, for Van Dieman'sLand, under command of Major Singleton, Captains Blosieand Kenny, Lieut. Parker, Ensigns Stewlart,Pontrille, M'Lear, Cooke, and Assistant Surgeon, Maichale. — Communieabfd.