D—No. 9

No. 1. COMMODORE SEYMOUR TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR. H.M. S. "Pelorus," Auckland, 19th February, 1861. Sib, — I have the honor to inform your Excellency that Commander Cator having reported to me that the tranquility of Wellington remains undisturbed, I have withdrawn the " Fawn" from her Station at Port Nicholson, and I regret to say that I cannot, consistent with tho duty I owe to Her Majesty's Service, consent to allow another of Her Majesty's Ships to be stationed at Wellington, so long as the crimping which prevails there both for the Sheep Farms and the Coasting Trade, is allowed to remain on its present footing. During the past month 18 Seamen deserted from the "Fawn" at Wellington, not one of whom, in all probability, will be recovered, as no attempt has been made to regulate the entries and discharges of Seamen, either in the coasting or the long sea trade at that Port. There is no such an Official as a Shipping Master and every Seaman entering Port Nicholson is apparently free to come and go as he pleases. Desertion is not confined to Ships of the Royal Navy, the Steamer " Robert Lowe" having lost 7 men during her short stay there: the police is utterly inefficient, and a licence prevails which is most prejudicial to Her Majesty's Service—under all which circumstances your Excellency will doubtless coincide with me in thinking that it is not advisable to station one of Her Majesty's Ships at Wellington. I have, &c, F. Beauciiamp Seymour, Commodore. To His Excellency Colonel Gore Browne, C. 8., &c, &c, &c.

No. 2. HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR TO COMMODORE SEYMOUR. Government House, 19th February, 1861. Sir, — I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this day's date reporting that owing to the insufficient measures in force at Port Nicholson for the prevention of desertions in the Navy, you do not consider it will be conducive to the good of Her Majesty's Service to permit one of Her Majesty's Ships to remain at that Port. Under the circumstances you have stated I agree with you in thinking it not advisable to station one of Her Majesty's Ships at Wellington. I have, &c., T. Gorb Browne. Commodore Seymour, &c, &c, Auckland.

No. 3. MR. PORTER TO THE COLLECTOR OF CUSTOMS, WELLINGTON. Office of Commissioner of Customs, Auckland, 26th February, 1861. Sir, — I have the honor, by direction of the Commissioner of Customs, to forward copy of a letter (No. 75") for Commodore Seymour to His Excellency the Governor, dated the 19th instant, complaining ' that no attempt is made to regulate the entries and discharges of Seamen at the Port of Wellington.

PAPERS RELATIVE TO DESERTIONS FROM SHIPS OF WAR STATIONED AT WELLINGTON.