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When procurable J* 'Salt Pork 1 fli Split Peas j pint Salt Beef 1 ft On alternate days when fresh provisions cannot be procured ...-< Flour 9 oz. I Suet £ oz. Currants or raisins COPY OF A LETTER FROM COLONEL GOLD TO GOVERNOR GORE BROWNE, C.B. Auckland, July 23rd, 1559. Sir,— I have the honor to forward to your Excellency a Memorandum from the Commanding , Royal Engineer, with regard to the proposed plan of defence of the principal Mercantile Ports in New Zealand, -which being in itself so lucid and comprehensive, leaves me little to add. I deem it right to inform you, however, that the large and over-filled Magazine at the Albert Barracks, is not Bomb proof, but only Splinter proof, and would probably form a prominent object against which a foe would direct his fire, the result of which must be the annihilation of the greater portion of this City, and the destruction of the Troops in the neighbouring Buildings. I would also respectfully suggest that the two companies of Volunteer Rifles should be taught the Rifle exercise by some really competent person, (with regard to the latest system), failing which, my experience tells me, the excellent arms they now possess would be comparatively of little avail. I have, &c, (Signed) C. E. Gold, Colonel 65th Regt., Commanding the Forces in New Zealand. Governor Gore Browne, C.8., &c, &c, &c. MEMORANDUM BY COLONEL MOULD, R.E., FOR THE INFORMATION Of HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR. Auckland, 22nd July, 1859. (Enclosure.) The Commanding Royal Engineer is of opinion that the defences of New Zealand should, for the present, be confined, as against predatory squadrons, to the furnishing the Harbours of Auckland, Wellington, and Lyttelton with effective Coast Batteries, susceptible of self-defence against a sudden attack by parties landing from boats. These three Ports are selected, as the chief commercial towns of the respective Provinces; are situated on the shores of the Harbours ; the towns contain large amounts of valuable property, moveable and immoveable, and they are peculiarly exposed to insult and destruction by an unscrupulous enemy, desirous either of raising contributions from the inhabitants, or in default thereof, of wantonly destroying the towns and the property they contain. To carry out these objects, there are unfortunately, very small means in " materiel" in the Colony, and what exist, are in Auckland, in the shape of a few Guns, of which the majority are of small calibre, mounted on Britomart Point to command the access to the upper Harbour and the anchorage in front of the town. The first point, therefore, to be considered and to be carried out, is to make this Battery as effective as practicable. The Guns, originally without any protection, were covered, upon the breaking out of the Russian war, by an earthen paiapet faced internally with sods, but this has crumbled away partially, and though frequently repaired is now in a very unsatisfactory condition; it is therefore proposed to revet the interior of the parapet about 4 feet on each side of each embrasure, and the embrasures themselves, with masonary of suitable solidity; to replace the existing ineffective shot furnace, by one of an approved construction; to renew some of the decayed and unsuitable platforms, and to renovate the defences of the land front, at a cost on the whole, as shown in the accompanying approximate Estimate of £ G77. These services should be commenced immediately, but they need not under the present aspect of affairs, be hurried on so as to increase'the expense by employing civil labour, but be executed gradually by the Military labour at the disposal of the Commanding Royal Engineer. As regards other defences at Auckland, I do not see any reason for changing my opinion, as to the extent which is requisite for protecting the large interests at stake, laid down in my Report of the loth March last, that is to say, that two powerful Batteries protected by a strong Redoubt should be established at the North Head, and another on Okahu Point, facing the Main Channel, alsosuitably defended on the land front, both posts having sufficient Barrack accommodation for their respective Garrisons. It appears unnecessary at this instant to go to the question of the expense of the requisite works, but merely to state the number of Guns, winch should be demanded for their armament, which are as follows :—