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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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