PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE
done much damage; but although more than one rocket fell within the stockades, I failed to set them on fire, and could only most deeply regret that the tremendous surf which broke occasionally, even outside the ship, prevented any attempt to land, and complete the task your Excellency had set me : but it was impossible to do more, and the Natives having long disappeared, I weighed before noon and returned to this anchorage. I have, &c, (Signed) P. Cracroft, Captain, and Senior Officer, New Zealand. His Excellency Col. T. Gore Browne, C.8., &c, &c, &c.
No, 85. HATITB.
Ike Gorernor to Super-1 jiiuendeot. 6th April, 1860..
Notice. A Deftucm of Auckland. ?>ef>ncoi of District of Auckland.
No. 26. copy op a DESPATCH from governor gore browne, c.b., to his grace the duke of NEWCASTLE. Government House, Auckland, New Zealand, 24th April, 18G0. My Lord Duke, — In continuance of my Despatch No. 28 of the 31st March, I have the honor to inform Your Grace that as soon as I was satisfied of the safety of the Town of New Plymouth I sailed in H.M.S.S. " Niger" for Auckland, and on my arrival lost no time in sending Agents (whose proceedings will form the subject of another despatch) and in concerting with Colonel Mould, the Commanding Royal Engineer, the means of placing the Town of Auckland in condition to be defended. Reports of an intended attack upon Auckland by the powerful tribes on the Waikato had caused a panic as general •and extreme as it was groundless : this was however somewhat allayed by a letter (enclosure No. 1) •which I addressed to the Superintendent, and by news from the Waikato, giving assurances of continued goodwill from the Chiefs in that district. 2. These fears were scarcely dissipated when it was reported to me that friendly natives were insulted in the town ; that a canoe with a large number of Natives passing one of the Pensioner villages narrowly escaped being fired into ; and that the Natives, friendly and unfriendly, were viewed with a feeling so bitter, that unless something was done to prevent it, collision would be inevitable, and the whole Native population would be in arms against us. I therefore published a notification, copy of which is enclosed. 3. I have also the honor to enclose two sketches of the Town and District of Auckland, and beg to inform Your Grace that, in consultation with Colonel Mould, I have made the following arrangements, the object of which is to make Auckland as secure as it is in my power, against any probable contingency. The Town is divided into five Districts, each of which is to furnish a Company of Militia ; those who have Arms of their own will form an inlying picket, and the remainder will be required to ballot for such Arms as the Government is able to supply. At present we can furnish 60 staud of Arms to each Company but we hope to obtain more from Sydney. In addition to the Militia, a Volunteer Force of nearly 400 men, a mounted Volunteer Troop of about 43 men, 110 of the Csth Regiment and 40 Marines, will form the Garrison of the Town. Blockhouses, or houses rendered musket-proof will be established round the Town, as sliewn in a sketch marked A, and lI.M. Frigate "Iris" is now anchored in the Harbour. 4. The outer defences are as follows : H.M.S.S. " Niger," attended by a Gun-boat furnished by the local Government, is anchored in the Manukau. Lieut-Colonel Kenny, lately in command of the New Zealand Pensioner Force, has been placed in command of the settlement of Onehunga, and has been directed to protect the Wliau portage and river which forms the western boundary of the Peninsula on which Auckland stands; and at the portage itself a Blockhouse is in course of erection. This however will be the weakest part of the defence. Lieut-Colonel Nixon, formerly Major in the 39th Regiment has been placed in command of the Pensioner Settlements of Otahuhu, Panmure, and Howick, and has been directed to protect the line of the Tamaki from the Waitemata to the Manukau ; a Blockhouse is in course of erection on the narrow neck of land leading to the village of Otahuhu, 500 stand of arms (including carbines for a mounted force) have been supplied to this outpost, and 300 to the outpost on the West. When a further supply of arms is leceived from Sydney an addition will be made to both these numbers. 5. The settlers at Papakura have enrolled themselves and form a troop of Volunteer Yeomanry : those at Waiuku place much dependance on the Native Chief Katipa, who professes great personal friendto myself. It is beyond our power however, to protect either of these Settlements, if a conflict really ensue. C. The Europeans living at Waingaroa (Raglan) and Kawhia—on the West Coast and straggling settlers on the Waikato, have been iv a great state of alarm, many of them having abandoned their homes and come into Auckland. 7. To the North of Auckland there has been but little apprehension, and the settlers at Wangarei only have desired to form themselves into a Volunteer Corps. 8. At Wellington and Whanganui, the Natives are as yet apparently very well affected towards the Government, and at Napier no fears have been expressed, though less confidence is felt in the Natives of that district.
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