FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE MILITARY DEFENCE OF NEW ZEALAND, (In continuation of Papers presented on the 4th June, 1861.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1862 Session I, A-06

FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE MILITARY DEFENCE OF NEW ZEALAND, (In continuation of Papers presented on the 4th June, 1861.)

PRESENTED TO BOTH HOUSES OF ASSEMBLY BY COMMAND OF HIS EXCELLENCY.

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No. 1. COPT OF A DESPATCH FROM GOVERNOR GORE BROWNE TO HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE. Government House, Auckland, New Zealand, 2nd May, 1861. My Lord Duke, — I have the honor to call Tour Grace's attention to the enclosed copy of correspondence i between Colonel Warre, C. B, (acting as my Deputy during my absence from Auckland) and Com- J modore Seymour and between Commodore Seymour and myself. I entirely agree in the views expressed by Colonel Warre: the removal of the "Iris" at so critical , a time might have been attended with the worst possible effect, the more so, as it had been indus- i tripusly circulated amongst the Maories that Her Majesty's Government disapproved of the war, and ; were about to order it to be stopped. I take this opportunity of saying that while the relations between the Civil Governor of a c Colony and the Officer commanding Her Majesty's Troops are placed on a footing which admits little : to be desired, the same cannot be said of the relations between the Civil Governor and the Naval Commander. The Governor is entrusted with the duty of carrying on the negociations which may be necessary to uphold the policy of Her Majesty's Government. To aid him in so doing, portions of Her Majesty's land and sea forces are directed to co-operate with him; but it will be seen by the correspondence with Commodore Seymour, forwarded by this and preceding mails, that the co-operation of the sea forces depends on the opinions of the Commodore, sometimes arrived at upon insufficient information, and that it may cease to be available at the moment when the person entrusted with carrying on the policy of Her Majesty's Government may consider it most needful. I make this statement with regret, as my private relations with Commodore Seymour are perfectly friendly, and I doubt not that he acts in accordance with what he considers the best interests of Her Majesty's service. I have, &c, His Grace the Duke of Newcastle K. G., T. Gore Browne. &c, &c, &c,

No. 64. NAVAL.

Col. warre, sth April, jep^sthApriiyTstii' " 18S1 e*ovemor' commodore Seymour, Qovetno^Mth April, isci. commodore Seymour, 24th Aplil ' 1861,

Enclosure 1 in No. 1. COLONEL WARRE TO GOVERNOR GORE BROWNE. Government House, Auckland, 5th April, 1861. Sir,— I have the honor to forward for your Excellency's information the accompanying copy of a letter which I deemed it my duty to write to Commodore Seymour, on learning that it was his intention to despatch H. M. S. "Iris" to England forthwith. I enclose also a copy of the reply which I have received from the Commodore. I have, &c, His Excellency Colonel Gore Browne, C. B., H. J. Warre, Taranaki. Colonel Commanding at Auckland, and Deputy-Governor, Auckland.

Enclosure 2 in No. 1. COLONEL WARRE TO COMMODORE SEYMOUR. Government House, Auckland, 5th April, 1861. Sir, — I am given to understand that H. M. S. "Iris" is under orders to leave this Station to-morrow morning; I deem, it my duty therefore as the Deputy Governor of this Province, to protest in the strongest possible manner against the diminution of H. M's. Naval Forces in those waters at the • There appears to have been no copy of this letter kept in the Private Secretary's Office.

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present moment while the negociations are pending, and which I may be permitted to say are far from settled. Ido not presume to dictate to you what Force should be retained here; but I know that I meet the wishes of the Lieutenant General Commanding, and I believe His Excellency the GoTernorof New Zealand, in stating'that no reduction of Force should be made at the present time. I shall transmit copies of this letter for the information of His Excellency and the Lieutenant General Commanding. I have, &c., Commodore Seymour, &c, &c. H. J. Warre, Colonel, Deputy Governor.

Enclosure 3 in No. 1. COMMODORE SEYMOUR TO GOVERNOR GOBE BROWSE. "Pelorus," Auckland, 22nd April, 1861. Sir,— I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's letter, No. 39, and with every desire on my part to meet the wishes of the New Zealand Government, justice to my o\wi men, prevents my acceding to the request it contains. It is now nearly three months since Captain Vernon of the Iris, without reference to me, undertook to guard the vessels containing the Colonial powder, and without, as far as I can learn, receiving any guarantee that his charge of them should cease within a given period. I do not consider it fair to my men to compel them, for the insignificant sum of Is. per night, to keep watch in vessels, where, from the hatches being battened down and there being no protection against the weather on deck, they are compelled to remain exposed to the present inclement weather, which will get worse as the season advances. If it is proposed to sjive any increased sum to the watch-keepers on board the powder vessels, I must still decline to furnish them, as for such increased sum, labour can be easily obtained from the shore ; moreover, sooner or later, this must be done, as it is my intention very shortly to proceed to sea for a few days, for the purpose of exercising the crew of the " Pelorus" at various evolutions. If, however, it is distinctly understood that I am not expected to send seamen on board the powder vessels in question, and that I am in no way responsible for their safety, I will continue to have them watched by the sentries on board the " Pelorus," until she proceeds to sea. I have, &c, His Excellency Colonel T. Gore Browne, C.8., F. Beauchamp Seymour, &c, &c., &c. Commodore.

Enclosure 4 in No. 1. GOVERNOR GoEE BEOWNE TO COMMODORE SEYMOUR. Government House, Auckland, 24th April, 1861. Sir, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 22nd instant. I do not offer any opinion as to whether it was or may be neccessary to place men on board the powder vessel at all, or, if placed there, at what rate they should be paid, the local Government being ready to meet your wishes in every way which is possible ; but I beg to state that there are in the harbour two vessels laden with powder for which nr, safe place can be found on shore (until the building now in course of erection is completed), and that the Ma»ries are so eager to obtain ammunition, that these vessels are m danger of being captured. It is therefore my duty to request you to afford them such protection as you may consider necessary to prevent their falling into the hands of the disuffected. In reference to that part of your letter that it is your intention to take the " Pelorus" to sea, I have to observe that negociations are now pending on which the peace of the whole of New Zealand will probably depend, and that the departure of the " Pelorus," even for a few days, will be attended with the worst possible effect, and may lead to very serious consequences. I have, &c, Commodore Seymour, T. Gore Beowne, &o. &c, &c. Governor. P.S.—Watchmen may be sent from shore if you desire it.

Enclosure 5 in No. 1. COMMODORE SEYMOUR TO GOVERNOR GOKE EROWNE. "Pelorus," Auckland, 24th April, 18C1. Sir— I have the lionor to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's letter of this day's date, and with reference to the offer contained in the postscript to request that watchmen may be sent from

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the shore to the powder vessels, I am unaware what may be the resources of the local Government, but I should have imagined that it was possible to build a magazine capable of containing the powder now afloat, in three months from the time of its being commenced. I am sorry that your Excellency should think that the presence of the " Pelorus" is the harbour of Auckland is indispensably necessary for the security of New Zealand. I cannot coincide with your views, but in deference to them, I will postpone mv projected cruise until after the arrival of the "Cordelia." I have, &c, His Extellency Colonel T. Goreßrowne, C.8., F. Beauchamp Seymour, &c, he., &c. Commodore.

No. 2.

COPY OF A DESPATCH FROM GOVERNOR SIR GEORGE GREY TO HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE. Auckland, Bth February, 1862. My Lord Duke, — I have the honor to transmit to Your Grace the copy of a letter I received from Commodore Seymour, dated Melbourne, 13th January, 1862, informing me that in all probability England is engaged in a war with the Northern States of America, and that under these circumstances he had no alternative left but to assemble as large a foice as he could concentrate at Sydney in readiness to commence operations against the American trade, should the next mail bring a confirmation of the report he had received. 2. In another letter the Commodore also acquaints me that the Admiralty have issued an order which will effectually prevent a Naval Brigade from again serving on shore in these Islands. 3. In pursuance of the intentions thus intimated to me, all the Naval force has been withdrawn from New Zealand with the exception of the " Fawn," the repairs of which cannot be completed before the end of next week, and which, even then, is ordered not to leave Auckland or its vicinity until after the arrival of the next mail, whilst her Commander is instructed not to land any men for operations on shore. 4. I enclose for Your Grace's further information the copy of a letter T addressed to the Senior Naval Officer, in reference to the orders the Commodore had found it necessary to issue, as also a copy of a Memorandum by the New Zealand Ministers on the same subjects. 5. My own opinion in relation to these matters is that very serious embarrassments have arisen from the extremely sudden withdrawal of the Naval force from these Islands, which might have been avoided if a delay of even a few days had been allowed. 6. I think, if the Governor here is to be liable to have a force withdrawn at a moment's notice, and without being in any way consulted on the subject—upon the co-operation of which he had so certainly reckoned as to have entered on important operations —that it would be better not to station such a force here ; for its sudden withdrawal whilst delicate operations are in progress, and which would never have been undertaken if the presence of that force had not been relied on, may lead to bad results ; whilst the Natives, not being able to comprehend such sudden reductions of our force, are apt to be led by it to entertain renewed hopes of being able eventually successfully to oppose us, and to believe that we are in difficulties elsewhere. 7. I also think it should be distinctly understood here, whether the Admiralty do, under all circumstances, prohibit Naval Officers and seamen from serving on shore, or whether, under circumstances of great ur^encv, they will, as heretofore, be allowed to do so. I can only say, that if in the former wars Naval Officers and seamen had not been permitted to serve on shore in New Zealand, a large and sad loss of life and property must have been sustained by Her Majesty's subjects. 1 have, &c, G. Grey. His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, &c, &c, &c.

No. 12,

Enclosure 1 in No. 2. COMMODORE SEYMOUR TO GOVERNOR SIR G. GEEY. "Pelorus/'Hobson's Bay, 13th January, 1862. Sib,— I h;ivc the honor to inform your Excellency that news of (he utmost importance has reached Australia, viz., that in all probability England is at this moment involved in a war with the Northern States of America. Unfortunately the intelligence of the occurrences which would lead to such a state of affairs appears to have reached England subsequently to the departure of the mail of the 26th Nov., and to have been conveyed by telegram to Alexandria, and tlience to Suez, just as the steamer was leaving for Point de Galle. Under these circumstances I have no alternative left me but to assemble as large a force as I can concentrate at Sydney, in readiness to commeuce operations against the American trade should the mail due here on the 12th proximo bring confirmation of the report which has just reached me.

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I have therefore ordered the " Miranda" and " Harrier" to Sydney forthwith, and have directed Captain Jenkins to transfer the charge of the New Zealand division to Commander Cator of the " Fawn." I am sorry to be compelled to reduce the Naval force in New Zealand, at a moment which, for what I know to the contrary, may possibly be a critical one, but with the land forces that will remain at your Excellency's disposal, I trust that the interests committed to your charge may not suffer by their withdrawal. I have, &c, His Excellency Sir George Grey, X.C.8,, F. Beauchamp Seymour, &c., &c, &c. Commodore.

Enclosure 2 in No. 2. GOVERNOR SIR GEORGE GREY TO COMMODORE SEYMOUR. Government House. Auckland, 8th February, 1862. Sir, — I have ihe honor to transmit for your information the copy of a Despatch I have addressed to the Secretary of State, in relation to the withdrawal at the present critical moment of the entire Naval force (with the exception of the ''Fawn" undergoing repairs) from the New Zealand Islands and in explanation of the embarrassments which have arisen from this cause, and with a view of having if possible some better arrangements laid down tor the future, upon which matters it seems desirable that the Home Government should have the benefit of your opinion and advice. I have, &c, Commodore Seymour C. B. G. Grey. H. M. S. Pelorus, Sydney.

Enclosure 3 in No. 2. GOVERNOR SIR GEORGE GREY TO CAPTAIN JENKINS, R.N. Government House, Auckland, 31st January, 1862. Sir,— I have had the honor of receiving letters from Commodore Seymour, informing me that he had ordered the " Miranda" to proceed to Sydney forthwith, and that these orders were couched in such stringent terms that your commission would be in danger were you to disobey them; these orders being based on the supposition that England is at this moment involved in a war with the Northern States of America, I can only say that I understood from Commodore Seymour's letter of the 31st October, that both the "Pelorus" and " Miranda" would have been here at the end of December or the beginning of this month, and that, relying on this, I ordered the execution of a service which might have brought on, and still may bring on a renewal of hostilities, if any imprudent and unexpected steps are taken. The sudden removal of the " Miranda" from this station may therefore have the most serious and prejudicial effects on British interests, as I think so large and very hurried a diminution in our Naval force will lead the Natives to believe that we are threatened with some great disaster, aud will probably encourage them to recommence operations. If a war does unfortunately take place with America, this will be the only Colony in this part of the world, which will, at the same time, be threatened with attacks by an interior and exterior enemy; and I cannot but regret that, in making preparations for a possible war with America, it should have been thought necessary to run so very serious a risk of again bringing on a war in this country —where all seemed quietly settling down—which risk, some delay and previous warning might most materially lessen. It will be for you to decide whether, under these circumstances, you will delay here until you can again hear from Commodore Seymour, or at least until the repairs now going on in the " Fawn" —the only remaining vessel—have been completed. I have, &c, Captain Jenkins, E.N., G. Grey. H.M.S. "Miranda," Senior Officer, &c, &c, &c.

Enclosure 4 in No. 2. MEMORANDUM FOR HIS EXCELLENCY. Auckland* 6th February, 1862. On returning to His Excellency Commodore Seymour's letter of the 13th January, 1862, Ministers cannot refrain from placing on record their regret at what appears to them to have been a very hasty and premature act. In consequence of the advance of the troops to the Waikato, and their employment in the construction of a Military road to that river, it has been necessary to watch the temper of the Natives with vigilance, and it has been impossible to foretell from day to

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day whether die policy inaugurated by His Excellency might be acquiesced in, or met ■with formidable resistance. There is no doubt that the Military movement referred to was exceedingly distasteful to the Waikato tribes; and a principal reason why it has not provoked resistance haa been the large Military ami Naval force in the immediate neighbourhood of Auckland. But it is certain that any reduction of this force*—and particularly if suddenly made —was calculated pro tanto to weaken the inducements presented to the minds of the Natives to remain quiet. It is not the duty of His Excellency's Advisers to canvass the prudence of Commodore Seymour's act, nor to weigh the reasons which appear to have induced him to adopt the course he has pursued. But they take the liberty of observing that, while on the one hand there was imminent risk of thwarting His Excellency's plans, there was on the other no advantage whatever to be attained, except the possible capture of a few American whalers, whose destruction could not have exercised the remotest influence on the relations of England and America, or on the progress of a war between those nations —which war there was no better foundation for believing to have been declared than a mere unauthenticated flying rumour. And, when Ministers observe that Commodore Seymour did not allow His Excellency the option of detaining the " Miranda," even should the insurrection in this Colony have broken out afresh they cannot refrain from expressing their opinion that the course pursued by him was neither a wise nor a considerate one. William Fox, Colonial Secretary.

Since the above was written, Ministers have been informed by His Excellency that Captain Cator has just brought him his instructions from Commodore Seymour to the effect that the ship under his command, the " Fawn" (the only man-of-war remaining in New Zealand since the departure of the " Miranda"), is not to leave Auckland or its immediate vicinity till the arrival of the next mail, when distinct instructions will be sent, and that he, Captain Cator " is expressly prohibited from landing any nieu to take part in Military operations." Ministers feel bound to observe that these instructions, issued to Captain Cator by Commander Seymour, will probably disarrange in the most serious degree the plans which His Excellency has laid for a series of visits to the Natives of the East Coast, Havvke's Bay, Cook's Straits, and elsewhere, and which it is of the greatest consequence should be carried into effect without delay. The success of His rixeellency's operations in bringing the present difficulties to a peaceful termination may depend upon the promptitude of his action during the next few months, and his keeping the appointments which, relying on His Excellency being able to obtain the use of a steam frigate, have been made with various sections of Natives. It is deeply to be regretted that Commodore Seymour should have considered it his duty to issue such peremptory instructions, in entire disregard of what might be and are the emergencies of Her Majesty's Government in this Colony, at this very critical crisis. William Fox. Cth February, 1862.

Enclosure 5 in No. 2. MEMORANDUM FOB HIS EXCELLENCY. 7th February, 1862. Ministers have, since their Memorandum of yesterday's date, taken into their serious consideration the subject of Commodore Seymour's instructions to the Captains of H. M. S. S. " Miranda" and •• Fawn." They consider it their duty to advise His Excellency to suggest to Her Majesty's Government the expediency ot impressing on Commodore Seymour's successor in the command of the Australian station the importance of affording all possible co-operation with His Excellency whenever it may be required, and of not taking any steps with regard to the stationing of the ships under his command without consulting His Excellency, and at least allowing him the opportunity of offering an opinion as to the effect such ships may have on the position of affairs in the Colony. If this be not done, Ministers are of opinion that it would be almost better that all Her Majesty's ships should be removed from New Zealand : for, their entire absence would be likely to have a less prejudicial effect than such sudden and spasmodic changes as those effected under Commodore Seymour's orders, which are sufficient to disarrange and defeat the most carefully considered plans of the Colonial Government, to say nothing of the effect which they are likely to have on the vigilant and exciteable minds of the Natives. William Fox.

No. 3. GOVERNOR 8IR GEORGE GEET. TO CAPTAIN JENKINS. Government House, Auckland, 20th January, 1862. Sir —— I have the honor to inform you that from intelligence I have received, I feel satisfied that there is no chance of any renewed disturbances with the Natives of this Island, prior to a great meeting •which is to take place on the 25th day of March nest, at which time it would be desirable that as

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large a force as possible should be at the disposal of the Government here, as the presence of such a force at that date may go far to bring the disturbances which have prevailed here to a final and satisfactory conclusion. I have, &c, Captain Jenkins, G. Grey. H. M. S. Miranda, Senior Officer.

No. 4. CArTAIN JENKINS, R.N., TO GOVERNOR SIR GEORGE GREY. 11..M.5. "Miranda," at Auckland, Ist April, 18G2. Sir,— With reference to orders from Commodore Seymour, C.8., directing me to proceed to Auckland, in compliance with the wishes expressed in your Excellency's letter to me of tiie 2Uth January, 1862, and to send Her Majesty's Ship Fawn to Sydney as soon as possible after the meeting of tho Natives, w'llch was to have been held on the 25th March, and, short cf hostilities breaking out, to return in Her Majesty's Ship under my command, which orders I communicated to your Excellency on my arrival, I have now the honor to inform you that I purpose sending Her Majesty's Ship " Fawn " this evening and following her in Her Majesty's Ship ''Miranda" in a day or two, leaving Sir Malcolm MacGregor, Bart., Commander of Her Majesty's Ship "Harrier," seuior Officer in New Zealand. I have &c, His Excellency Sir George Grey, X.C.8., Robert Jenkins, Governor of New Zealand. Captain and Senior Officer.

No. 5. GOVERNOR SIR GEORGE GREY TO CAFTAIN JENKINS, R.N. Government House, Auckland, Ist April, 18G2. SIR, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this day's date, acquainting- me with the orders you have received from Commodore Seymour, relating to the movements of Her Ma'estv's Ships now in New Zealand. ' J J As I have not in any way been consulted by Commodore Seymour regarding the exigencies of the Service here previously to the issue of the orders to which you allude, and as no'discretion whatever has in this or other important instances been left to me by the Commodore, I am quite unaware for ■what purpose these and similar orders are communicated to me, as the only effect of such communication is to make me feel that I am and have been placed in a position which, looking to the important interests entrusted to my care, I ought not to occupy. I have, &c, Captain Jenkins, R.N., p «.„_ H.M.S. "Miranda." V* EEY'.

No. 6. COMMODORE SEYMOUR TO GOVERNOR SIR G. GREY. " Pelorus," Sydney, 15th March, 1862. Sir,— I have the honor to inform your Excellency that in compliance with the wishes expressed in your letter of the 20th January, 1862, to Captain Jenkins of the " Miranda," I have directed that officer to proceed to Auckland with all despatch, and to take under his orders H.M. Ships " Harrier" and " Fawn." ' By the mail which arrived here this afternoon, I have received instructions from my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, to send a vessel forthwith to the Fijis, on urgent duty, and other demands have been made upon me which will make it necessary to reduce the force in New Zealand to one Ship. I have therefore directed Captain Jenkins to send the " Fawn "to Sydney as soon as possible after the great meeting of Natives, appointed for the 25th of March, has taken place, and that unless hostilities are imminent in the Colony under your Government, he is to return here in the " Miranda" without loss of time. The " Harrier" will remain in New Zealand for the present, and Commander Sir Malcolm Macgregor will be instructed to aiford you all the support it is in his power to give. I have, &c, His Excellency Sir George Grey, X.C.8., F. Beauchamp Seymour, &c -> &c -> &c. Commodore.

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No. 7.

COMMODORE SEYMOUR TO GOVERNOR SIR GEORGE GltEY. " Pelorus," at Sydney, ] 7th April, 1862. Sir,— Captain Jenkins, of Her Majesty's ship " Miranda," has forwarded to me a copy of a letter addressed to him by your Excellency, dated 1st April, 1862, in which you cumpiain of your not having been in any way consulted by me regarding the exigencies of the service in New Zealand previous to my issuing certain orders to the commanding Officers of Her Majesty's ships in that part of the station, and of your consequently having been placed in a position which, looking to the important interests entrusted to your care, is one whicli you ought not to occupy. 2. I regret extremely that your Excellency should have been under the necessity of placing such a statement on record. 3. The circumstances which have led to this complaint on the part of your Excellency are, I imagine, my having sent peremptory orders to Captain Jenkins of the "Miranda," to repair here with all despatch immediately on the intelligence of the anticipated rupture between Great Britain and the Federal States reaching me. 4. I have already had the honor of furnishing your Excellency with my reasons for taking that step, and have communicated them to my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. 5. I have reason to believe that your Excellency disapproves of my having ordered the " Fawn" to remain in the vicinity of Auckland, or at all events to confine her cruises to the ports of the Northern Island, during the time that we were siill uncertain as to what might be ihe termination of the dispute between Great Britain and the Federal States. My object in issuing that order was not to cramp your Excellency's movements in any way, but to ensure her being in a position to receive the orders which I should have sent to her, had the dispute terminated otherwise than it did; and I beg to remind your Excellency that, immediately on hearing of its settlement, I ordered Commander Cator to convey you to any port in New Zealand you might wish to visit, and that Sir Malcolm MacGregor is acting under similar instructions at present. G. But if your Excellency objects to my having ordered the " Miranda" and "Fawn" over here after the 25th of March, without previous consultation with you, T must call to your recollection that I had the honor to inform you, by letters dated ihe 12th and 15th ultimo, of the arrangements which ] proposed to make with regard to the Naval Force in New Zealand after the meeting which was appointed to be held on the 25th ultimo had taken place, and of the nature of the orders given by me to Captain Jenkins in the event of hostilities not being1 imminent afterwards. I had also the honor of informing you of my reasons for giving these orders, and of telling you that I was under the necessity of reducing the Naval Force in New Zealand to one snip, in consequence of the demands made upon me from other quarters, and that the vessel which would be stationed there would be placed at your disposal for your conveyance to any part of the Colony which you might wish to visit. I cannot, therefore, accuse myself of having treated your Excellency with any want of consideration or courtesy. Naval protection has never been denied New Zealand when it has been really required, but the desertion from Her Majesty's ships on that station has reached such an alarming pitch (as detailed in a separate communication which I have the honor to forward), that even if their services had not been required elsewhere, I must have removed the majority of the ships from New Zealand, unless hostilities were imminent, and if I may judge by the tenor of the letter addressed to your Kxcellency by the Secretary of State for the Colonies, on the 4th of December, 18G1, my doing so would have met the approval of my superiors. 7. I must also beg to call your Excellency's notice to the fact that the best proof I can give of my anxiety to meet your wishes in every way is, that on the very day (the 25th ot' March) on which you had expressed a wish to see a Naval Force concentrated in New Zealand waters three of Her Majesty's ships were at anchor in Auckland Harbour, while the fourth, the " Pelorus," bearing my Broad Pendant, was employed on a duty which the Secretary of State for the Colonies was anxious to have executed without delay. It was impossible for me to do more, and I must also remind vou that I had expressly ordered Captain Jenkins to retain both the " Miranda" and " Fawn" in New Zealand if there was a probability of recourse being had to arms to carry out your Excellency's policy. It was in order to ascertain if such was likely to be the case that Captain Jenkins addressed his letter to you, dated the 1st of April, and if your Excellency had called upon him therefor assistance in hostile operations, the "Miranda" and "Fawn" would now be in New Zealand instead of in the Harbour of Port Jackson. I have, &c, His Excellency Sir George Grey, K.C.B., F. Beauchamp Seymour. &c, &c, &c.

No. 8. copy of a DESPATCH fhqji governor sie georgk grey to his grace the duke of NEWCASTLE. Auckland, 8th March, 1862. My Lord Duke, — Adverting to my Despatch, No. 12 of the 8th ultimo, in which I called attention to the fact that all Her Majesty's vessels but the "Fa*ra." had been removed from these Islands, and that such

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instructions bad been issued to the Officer commanding that vessel as prevented him from leaving the vicinity of Auckland until after the arrival of the mail, I beg to be permitted to submit for the consideration of Her Majesty's Government whether ifrould not be proper, whilst New Zealand continues in a disturbed state, that some moans should be provided by which the Governor can certainly move with rapidity from point to point whenever his presence may be required. 2. In the instance now under consideration, I had made arrangements with the Captain of Her Majesty's Ship " Miranda" for visiting various parts of the Northern Island ; —the Chiefs had been informed of this, and the Natives made considerable preparations to meet me, when suddenly, by orders from the Commodore, all these plans were defeated. The result has been very unfavourable to the Government, a bad impression and much distrust lias been produced in the Native mind, and a favorable opportunity has been lost. I would, therefore, submit for your Grace's consideration, that some means should be taken to prevent the recurrence of such a difficulty. It is impossible for the Governor now to travel through all parts of the interior, and if some means is not provided for his moving rapidly from one part of the coast to another, he cannot perform hia duties. I have, &c., His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, K.G., G. Grey. &c, &c, &c.

No. 9. copy of a DESPATCH from governor sir george grey to his grace the ddke of NEWCASTLE. Auckland, 1st April, 1862. My Lord Duke, — I regret to state to Your Grace that I find from the papers from the South of this Island that my not being able to carry out my promise of visiting the Native tribes there at the time named, has produced great dissatisfaction. It is stated that the leading men freely express their opinion that I had not inteuded to visit them, and that my influence with the West coast Natives has been materially diminished. Similar accounts reach me from other parts of this Island. 2. In my Despatch, No. 12 of the 8th of February, I called your Grace's attention to the nature of the orders issued by the Commodore to the senior Officer in New Zealand, but I think you may conceive that the difficulties in regard to Her Majesty's vessels on this coast have arisen from the anticipated war with America, whereas they are to be attributed to the mode in which instructions are now issued by the Commodore to the senior Officer in New Zealand, and can therefore, if directions on the subject are issued by the Lords of the Admiralty, be easily remedied for the future. 3. Formerly the custom was for the Officer commanding on the Station to give general instructions to the senior Officer in New Zealand, and then, provided those general instructions were obeyed, to leave him to carry them out in detail, after consultation with the Governor of the Colony. Now the Commodore issues, from Sydney or elsewhere, instructions in such detail that, although a vessel is sopposed to be stationed here, it is absolutely useless, and these orders are of so stringent a nature that they cannot be departed from. 4. For instance, when H. M. vessels were all withdrawn but one from the coast of New Zealand, as reported in my Despatch No. 12 of the 8th of February, it was positively ordered that the "Fawn" was the vessel to be left here, and it was ordered that the "Fawn" was to be at Auckland at the time of the arrival of the December mail from England. These instructions were afterwards so far varied by others from Sydney of tiie 28th of February that the Captain of the "Fawn" provided he was at Auckland at the eud of March, was allowed to carry me anywhere I desired to go on the coast of the North Island. 5. Had the original instructions been so worded that the senior Officer in New Zealand had been generally directed to leave one serviceable ship here, none of the difficulties which have taken place would have arisen. The Miranda would have been left here, and the Fawn would have gone to Sydney, where her boilers could have been better re-paired than here. 6 Again, had the commander of the Fawn been ordered to take care to meet the English and Australian mail at as early a date as possible to receive his instructions in the event of war, we could have done all that was necessary in this Island, and have been at Nelson, so as to receive instructions and letters from Sydney eight days earlier than they could have been received at Auckland, where he ■was ordered to be. In the same manner, after the 28th February, there was no necessity to restrict the Fawn to taking me to the shores of the Northern Island. Nelson, in the Middle Island, could have been reached as soon as Wellington, or Wanganui in the North Island, and I could in that case have received the mail eight days earlier. 7. I would, therefore, submit to your Grace, that the Lords of the Admiralty should direct that the former custom should be reverted to, of issuing orders, to the senior Officer in New Zealand, in such general terms as will leave him such a discretion as is consistent with the good of the service instead of issuing orders from Australia in such precise terms as renders the Naval force here absolutely, useless. 8. The exclosed extracts from Despatches of my predecessor will show that he also felt the evils- '. of the existing system. I have, &c, G. Grey,

Knclosure—Extracls from Governor Browne's Despatches, No. 140, Dec. 24, 18G0; Np. 64, May 2, 1861.

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No. 10

New Zealand. ~No744."

COPT OF A DESPATCH FROM HIS GRACE THE DUKE OP NEWCASTLE TO GOVERNOR SIR GEORGE GREY, K.C.B. Downing-street, 17th May, 1862. Sir,— I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch, No. 12, of the 8th of February, forwarding a Copy of a Correspondence which had passed between Commodore Seymour and yourself, respecting the sudden withdrawal by his orders, of the Naval Force stationed at New Zealand, with a. view to its concentration at Sydney, in anticipation of war being proclaimed between this country and the Federal States of North America, and enclosing a Memorandum on the subject which had been drawn up by your Responsible Advisers. I see no reason to doubt that Captain Seymour exercised a wise discretion in placing himself in a position to act with effect for the protection of British commerce, or otherwise, the moment that he should learn that war had been absolutely declared. The Imperial Government has hitherto freely aided the Colonists of New Zealand in their conflict with the Natives, or rather hss as yet taken upon itself with comparatively trifling assistance from the Colonists, the expense and responsibility of carrying on that conflict. So long, however, as the inhabitants of New Zealand rely for their defence upon aid furnished by the Mother Country, they must remain subject to the possibility that that aid may be suddenly withdrawn or diminished in consequence of Imperial exigencies. The disposition of Her Majesty's Government to withdraw that aid would of course be materially increased if it appeared that the effect of giving it was to diminish the inclination of the Colonists to make sacrifices for their own protection, and I have already in my Despatch of the 26th ultimo, No. 37, had occasion to express my surprise at learning from the Secretary of State for War, that the annual training of the Militia Force, as required by local ordinance, has been dispensed with. If your Responsible Advisers and yourself are really of opinion, as would seem to be the case, that Imperial aid is not worth having, if it is to be withdrawn when the interests of the Empire are at stake, Her Majesty's Government will readily give instructions for the removal of any amount of Military or Naval Force which the Colonists feel that they can dispense with. You state in your Despatch, that Commodore Seymour has informed you that the Board of Admiralty have issued an Order, which will effectually prevent a .Naval Brigade from again serving on shore in New Zealand. I collect, however, from a letter which I have received from their Lordships, that their orders against the habitual employment of this Force did not extend to cases of great emergency, but that sailors may still be employed on land on urgent applications for aid being addressed to the Naval Officer in command by yourself or by the Commander-in-chief. I have, &c, Newcastle. Governor Sir George Grey, &c, &c, &c.

No. 11.

copy of a DESPATH from his grace the duke of Newcastle to goternor sir GEORGE GREY, K.C.B. Downing-ntreet, 20th May, 1862. Sir,— I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch, No 23, of the Bth March, in which adverting to your previous Despatch No. 12, calling attention to the inconvenience attendiug the sudden withdrawal from the New Zealand Station to Sydney, of all Her Majesty's vessels, with the exception of the " Fawn," you suggest whether it would not he proper that some means should be provided during the present disturbed state of the Colony, by which the Governor could move at any time from point to point, wherever his presence may be required. I have to observe in reply that, however much the Commanders of Her Majesty's ships may desire lo facilitate the movements of Governors of Colonies, their power to do so must often depend on circumstances independent of the events of the Colony, and the only certain way of obviating the inconvenience of which you complain would be by the maintenance of a vessel at the cost of the Colony. I have, &c, Newcastlk. Governor Sir George Grey, &c, &c, &c.

New Zealand. No. 50.

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SUPPLEMENT..

( Containing Correspondence referred to in preceding Dispatch of Sir G. Grey.)

NEW ZEALAND, UKdiAi:, iUih July, I860.

No. 1. Copt or a DESPATCH from sir g. c. lewis to governor gore browne. Downing Street, 10th August, 1860. 8jr,— I transmit for your information a copy of a letter from the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, in which with reference to a question which has been brought before them in connection with the defence of the Colony of Victoria, they express a desire to be informed of the views entertained by the Governors of the Colonies in respect of the expediency of establishing, if practicable, some uniform regulations or enactments under which Government vessels belonging to the dependencies of the Crown, would be legally recognizeu as Vessels of War. The attention of the Governors of the other Australian Colonies, with the exception of Western Australia, has been directed to this subject; and I should be glad to be informed of the views which may be entertained by your Government upon the points adverted to by their Lordships. I need hardly add that the subject is one which can only be dealt with by Act of Parliament, and that it is with a view to Imperial Legislation that I am desirous of obtaining the views of the Australian Governments. I have, &c, Governor Gore Browne, C.B., G. C. Lewis. &c, &c, &c.

Enclosure in No. 1. LORD C. PAGET TO SIR F. ROGERS, BART. Admiralty, 18th July, 1860. Sir,— My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, having had under consideration your letter of the 18th May last, relating to the defences of the Colony of Victoria, I am directed to acquaint you for the information of Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies, that upon an attentive perusal of the Reports from Commodore Seymour, of Her Majesty's ship '"Pelorus," which accompanied it, they are of opinion that much attention is due to the suggestions of that officer, in so far as they relate to the means which would be best adapted for the local defence of the Colony. In connection, however, with this subject, and with the remarks of Commodore Seymour on the anomalous position of the Commander and Officers of the Colonial Steam Sloop " Victoria," my Lords would obseive that, before any decision can be taken in reference to the employment of a fleet of Guu Vessels, such as has been proposed, it would be indispensible to consider maturely the authority under which such vessels ought to be navigated. On the subject of Naval protection to be given generally to the Colonies of Australia and New Zealand, by the Royal Navy, my Lords need only advert at present to the former communications; but when the vastly increasing interests, and the amout of maritime population in those Colonies are considered, it appears to my Lords that the time must shortly arrive at which it may be desirable to determine upon what footing vessels which might be built, and armed, and manned, by the Colonial Governments, for local purposes, could be permitted to navigate as Vessels of War. Upon the High Seas, none but vessels commissioned under the authority of the Admiralty, acting on behalf of the Crown, can be legally recognized as Vessels of War; but since it is obvious that in the event of war, many advantages might be derived, and the maiitime means of the country might be increased by having recourse to the resources of those distant Colonies, it might be proper that the opinions of the Governors of the Colonies should be at once ascertained, with a view to some uniform regulations, or enactments, applicable to Colonial vessels, and to the polonies at large. My Lords deem it to be inexpedient at present to enter more fully into details upon this subject, but they will be prepared at any time under the advice of the Law Officers of the Crown, to take into consideration the measures which might be necessary in order that proper legal authority may be given to armed vessels equipped for the local defence of the Colonies, and at the cost of the Colonial Governments. I have, &c. Sir F. Rogers, Bart., C. Paget. &c, &c, &c.

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No. 2

copy of a DESPATCH from governor gore browne to his grace the duke of NEWCASTLF., K.G. Government House, Auckland, New Zealand, 24th December, 1860. My Lord Dukf., — In reply to Sir G. C. Lewis' circular despatch, dated 10th of August last, desiring lo be informed of the views wriich may be entertained by the Government of New Zealand upon certain points connected with the Naval protection of the Australian Colonies, I have the honor to forwar i a copy of a memorandum signed by Mr. Stafford, on behalf of the Responsible Ministers of this Colony. Lord C. Paget observes that, "since it is obvious that in the event of war, many advantages " might be derived, and the maritime means of the country might be increased by having recourse to " the resources of those distant Colonies, it might be proper that the opinions of the Governors of " the Colonies should be at once ascertained, with a view to some uniform regulations, or enactments, " applicable to Colonial vessels and to the Colonies at large." In reference to this subject, I beg to observe, that a Colonial force—whether Naval or Military— costs at least three times as muc i as one of equal strength employed by the Imperial Government; that a Colonial Force is not available for General Service, and as it does not offer the same prospect of rank and promotion as the Royal Service, it is not likely to be so well commanded. It appears, therefore, that Colonial resources would be most advantageously developed by their contributing towards the expense of protection to be furnished by the Imperial Government. Assuming that a squadron of a certain strength is required «n time of peace for the protection of the Australian Colonies, and for that of British subjects in Melanesia, the Colonies might be called on to pay a certain percentage of the cost of the vessels in the manner now agreed on for the Royal Troops stationed in New Zealand. There is, however, a difficulty attending the employment of the Royal Navy which deserves consideration. The Governor of a Colony may request the Officer in command to perform a service which he considers to be of vital importance, but the Naval Commander may take a different view and decline to attend to the request. It is quite true that the propriety or impropriety of such a refusal will be decided by superior authority in England, but in the meau time the service may remain unexecuted until it is too late to avert the consequences. Being fully aware of this, it is not improbable that Colonial Legislatures would be unwilling to contribute towards the maintenance of a fleet, the usefulness of which must depend so much on the temperament of individual Commanders, responsible to no authority nearer than England. I have, &c., His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, T. Gore Browne. &c, &c, &c.

No. 140. NAVAL-

Enclosure in No. 2. MEMORANDUM BY MR. STAFFORD. The present Ministry of New Zealand has on previous occasions expressed the opinion that the Naval defence of Colonies would be best provided for by permanently stationing vessels of Her Majesty's Navy at each Colony or group of Colonies. The number, cost, and maintenance of these ships to be agreed on between the Imperial and Local Governments, except in the case of Colonies governed from Downing Street, where the Imperial Government would alone decide the question. The system of separate Colonial Fleets appears open to grave objections, amongst which the mode in which they are officered, and the position they are to occupy relative to Her Majesty's Navy, are among the least. The latter question does not affect New Zealand directly at present, nor is it likely to do so for some time to come, as it is not probable that, for some years at least, this Colony will seek to establish vessels of its own for its defence by sea, unless the neglect of the Imperial Government to protect its shores should reluctantly compel it to do so. E. W. Stafford. November 27th, 1860.

No. 3.

COPY OF A DESPATCH FROM GOVERNOR GORE BROWNE TO HIS GRACE TIIE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE. Government House, Auckland, New Zealand, 2nd May, 1861. My Lord Duke, — I have the honor to call your Grace's attention to the enclosed copy of correspondence between Colonel Warre, C.B. (acting as my Deputy during my absence from Auckland), and Commodore Seymour, and between Commodore Seymour and myself.

No. 64. NAVAL.

Col. Wane, slh April. Commodore Seymour in reply, sih April, 1861.

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I entirely agree in the views expressed by Colonel Warre; the removal of the "Iris" at so critical a time might have been attended with the worst possible effect—the more so as it had been industriously circulated amongst the Maories that Her Majesty's Government disapproved of the war, and were about to order it to be stopped. I take this opportunity of saying that, while the relations between the Civil Governor of a Colony and the Officer Commanding Her Majesty's Troops are placed on a footing which leave little to be desired, the same cannot be said of the relations between the Civil Governor and the Naval Commander. The Governor is entrusted with the duty of carrying on the negotiations which may be necessary to uphold the policy of Her Majesty's Government. To aid him in so doing, portions of Her Majesty's Land and Sea Forces are directed to cooperate with him; but it will be seen by the correspondence with Commodore Seymour, forwarded by this and preceding mails, that the cooperation oi the Sea Force depends on the opinion of the Commodore—sometimes arrived at upon insufficient information —and that it may cease to be available at the moment when the person entrusted with carrying on the policy of Her Majesty's Government may consider it most needful. I make this statement with regret, as my private relations with Commodore Seymour are perfectly friendly, and I doubt not that he acts in accordance with what he considers the best interests of Her Majesty's service. I have, &c, His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, T. Gore Bkowne. &c, &c, &c*

The Governor, soth April, Co ' mmoa - Ore Seymour 22nd April, laei. commodore Seymour, 24'h Al>ril, 1861,

MILITARY. MEMORANDUM BY MR. FOX. His Excellency having informed Ministers that applications have been made by the Australian Governments for a portion of the troops now stationed in New Zealand, Ministers beg to express their conviction that the removal of any part of that force would be most prejudicial to the success of His Excellency's plans for settling the present difficulties with the Natives. Should hostilities be renewed, it will be remembered that the force at present in the country was pronounced by the late Governor, Colonel Gore Browne, to be entirely inadequate for the purpose; and, with the expectation of a general insurrection, he applied to the Imperial Government for large reinforcements. The plans at present in course of introduction demand great firmness, and any appearance of vacillation on the part of the Government would be fatal to the prospect of success. Nothing would be likely to operate more prejudicially on the Native mind than the idea that the Imperial Government was involved in difficulties which required the presence of troops in Australia, and Ministers, therefore, beg respectfully to recommend that, unless expressly ordered by the Imperial Government, no reduction of the force in this Colony should be effected. William Fox. 7th April, 1862. * Note.—For enclosures vide previous pages of this paper.

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THE MILITARY DEFENCE OF NEW ZEALAND.