DEFENCE OF THE PORTS OF THE COLONY (PAPERS RELATING TO THE).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1878 Session I, A-03

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1878. NEW ZEALAND. DEFENCE OF THE PORTS OF THE COLONY (PAPERS RELATING TO THE).

Pretented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of Hit Excellency.

No. 1. Hon. the Colonial Secretary to His Excellency the Governor. Memorandum for His Excellency. Ministers respectfully inform His Excellency that, in the present menacing condition of affairs in Europe, it is thought desirable to apply to the Imperial Government for twenty-four converted 64-pounder guns, and about 150 rounds of ammunition per gun. Ministers hope that their application will be favourably considered, and that advantageous terms may be granted by Her Majesty's Government. The guns are required to defend the more exposed harbours of this Colony from bombardment by foreign cruisers or privateers. It is understood that the guns referred to are not of the latest pattern, though efficient for the purpose. If, therefore, on arrival of the mail, hostilities have commenced, or still appear to be imminent, Ministers are anxious that the guns applied for should be at once sent out to the colony through the Agent-General, who has received instructions relative to their shipment. Should, however, there be no longer a probability of war, they would prefer waiting to obtain information relative to the respective advantages and cost of the present converted 64-pounder guns and those of the improved guns of the same calibre, which it is understood are to be substituted for them throughout the Service. As it is intended that the guns should be capable of transport to different points of the several harbours, it would be advisable that the gun-carriages should be of a construction that will render it practicable to move them on level ground by adequate horse-power. Ministers therefore hope that the Secretary of State for the Colonies may be so good as to afford such assistance to this colony in obtaining these arms and ammunition, on favourable terms, as may lie in his power, and to inform the Agent-General of the colony in London what steps on his part are necessary for giving effect to any arrangements that may be made. G. S. Whitmore Wellington, Ist May, 1878. (In the absence of the Premier).

No. 2. Hon. the Native Minister to Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Hon. Colonel Whitmore, Wellington. Auckland, 2nd May, 1878. Governor received yesterday important message from War Department, re Colonial Defence. Several errors in transmission have kept back matter till this afternoon; but following may be relied on as substance of telegram : — Re Colonial Defences : Committee of experienced officers have carefully considered question of Colonial Defences. With regard to New Zealand, they report as follows : —Defence of New Zealand by sea, impracticable. Batteries should be erected, at Auckland, on the headlands of Judge's Bay; at Wellington, between Barrett's Reef and Dorset Point; at Lyttelton, between Port and Heads; in Otago, at Harrington Point. Armament required will be eleven 7-ton guns and eleven new or converted 64-pounders. Total cost, £44,000, including guns. The Secretary for War asks if Colony will undertake expenditure, and says that full details are en route by mail. Governor suggests that, if Cabinet approve of proposals, Colonel Scratchley might be got over from Victoria to report. Inquire, and you will find in our offices confidential reports on all four ports mentioned in telegram. Important Ministers in Wellington should consider matter, so as to unite with Ministers in Auckland in

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determining what should be done. Consider myself that immediate action should be taken. Governor expects repetition of message to-morrow, and will then forward you verbatim copy. J. Sheehan. [Copy of the above telegram forwarded from Wellington to Hon. the Premier, on board the " Hawea," at Tauranga.]

No. 3. Hon. the Colonial Secretary to Hon. the Native Minister. Hon. J. Sheehan, Auckland. Wellington, 2nd May, 1878. Ministers at Wellington had already drawn up a memorandum suggesting to His Excellency that the Imperial Government should be requested to send out twenty-four 64-pounder guns. The arms suggested as being necessary, eleven 7-ton guns and eleven 64-pounders, are not very materially different; and, therefore, Ministers are quite willing to leave the matter to the decision of the Premier and yourself. Without compromising ourselves re position of, or question of, batteries, we would be quite willing to accept proposal of armament as stated, complete, with full ammunition, shipped for Colony at once, and further points can be settled in Cabinet when Ministers meet here. We do not understand that guns alone cost £40,000 from telegram, but entire scheme. Our reply should be sent by cable to England. Macandrew wishes to say he is content with my former proposal, as posted yesterday. G. S. Whitmore.

No. 4. Hon. the Colonial Secretary to the Agent-General. Sir, — Government Offices, Wellington, 3rd May, 1878. I have the honor to send you herewith copy* of Memorandum No. 1.2, which has been forwarded to His Excellency the Governor, advising an application to the Imperial Government for twenty-four 64-pounder guns, and 150 rounds of ammunition per gun, for the defence of the principal ports of the colony. 2. The intention of the Government when that memorandum was prepared was, to instruct you to forward the twenty-four guns, and a proportionate supply of ammunition, as follows : — To Auckland . . .. . . .. .. 6 guns. Wellington .. .. .. .. 10 „ Lyttelton .. .. .. .. .. 4 „ Port Chalmers .. .. .. ~ 4 „ 3. But a telegram has now been received from His Excellency the Governor, which may change the plans contemplated by the Government. A copy of that telegram is also enclosed. A reply has not yet been sent, as the matter is under consideration by the Cabinet. 4. If the decision should be to adopt the plans recommended by the Committee of Imperial Officers, you will be telegraphed to, and before the receipt of this letter you will have taken action. 5. If the plan proposed in the memorandum is adhered to, and war should still appear to be likely, the Government wish you at once to place yourself in communication with the Imperial authorities, and to ship the twenty-four guns and the ammunition as quickly as possible, in the proportions before stated, and so as to prevent any necessity for re-shipment in the Colony. 6. If the plan proposed in the memorandum is adhered to, but, on the receipt of this letter, the probability of war has passed away, you will be so good as to obtain promptly from the Imperial authorities, and to forward to the Colony, the necessary information to enable a decision to be arrived at as to the relative advantages of the present converted 64-pounder guns and the guns of the same calibre of the newer pattern. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, G. S. Whitmore London. (In the absence of the Premier).

No. 5. Hon. the Premier to His Excellency the Governor. Memorandum for His Excellency. Sir George Grey presents his respectful compliments to the Marquis of Normanby. The New Zealand Ministers reply to Her Majesty's Government, that the Colony will undertake expense of proposed armament. Her Majesty may rest assured that her New Zealand subjects will, in the event of any crisis, loyally and resolutely, in all respects, do their duty to their Queen and country.

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Sir George Grey requests that the Marquis of Normanby will be so good as at once to telegraph a copy of this memorandum to Her Majesty's Government for their information. At Sea, 4th May, 1878.

No. 6. His Excellency the Governor to Hon. the Premier. Hon. Sir George Grey, Alexandra. Auckland, sth May, 1878. Have had much pleasure in forwarding by telegraph, to Secretary of State, the memorandum of the Government relating to defence. Normanby.

No. 7. Hon. the Colonial Secretary to the Agent-General. Vogel, London. Wellington, 13th May, 1878. Ask War Office show Governor's telegram about defences. Ship armament various ports promptly. Whitmore.

No. 8. Hon. the Colonial Secretary to the Agent-General. Sir, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 17th May, 1878. I have the honor to forward to you herewith duplicate of my letter of May 3rd, sent via Brindisi. 2. As was recognized as probable when that letter was despatched, the Government have determined to adopt generally the defensive armament recommended by the Committee of Imperial Officers, in substitution of that which had been adopted prior to the receipt by His Excellency the Governor of the telegram as to the Committee's recommendation. 3. In consequence of this determination, a telegram (of which a copy is enclosed) was sent to you on the 13th instant, directing you to place yourself in communication with the War Office, and to ship with the utmost promptitude the guns and ammunition to be supplied by the Imperial Government. 3. In my letter of May 3rd, I directed that the twenty-four guns which would have been necessary for our own plan of defence should be shipped as follows : — To Auckland .. .. .. .. .. 6 guns. Wellington.. .. .. .. .. 10 „ Lyttelton .. .. .. .. .. 4 „ Port Chalmers .. ... .. .. 4 „ 4. The plans accepted by the Government will involve the shipment of eleven 7-ton guns and eleven 64-pounders, making twenty-two in all. Should you ascertain that there will be no difficulty in obtaining two more converted 64-pounder guns on reasonable terms, in addition, you will be good enough to inform the Government by wire, and also the probable cost. 5. The distribution of the guns is not yet known, but the same proportion, leaving a surplus to Wellington for supplying other ports, should be observed. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. G. S. Whitmore. By Authority: Geobge Didsbuet, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB7B. Price 3d.]

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