D—No. 5

tice, which is much to be deprecated, causes not only extra toil and labour to the Police, but entails a wasteful expenditure of the funds of the Government of this Province. If the report of absentees were handed to the Police with promptness, much desertion would be saved, they (the Police) being as may naturally be supposed, better acquainted with tliose parts of the town where the runaways are likely to seek shelter; and I would not (as too often has been the case) be obliged to strip the town of its usual and much-needed Police protection, to scour the country in search of them. Amongst the number of assertions made by Commodore Seymour, I feel bound to notice his allusion to a " disgraceful system of crimping," which he imagines is practised in Auckland. This, like his other charges, has little or no foundation. I believe "crimping," in its proper light, is not known in the Province. Many of the bush settlers have, it is true, been deluded by these runaways, who describe themselyes as newly arrived immigrants. It is a certainty, too, that the sailors require no enticing; for, from some cause or other, best known to themselves, they are but too eager to embrace every opportunity to escape, and would in some instances rather live on fern-root in the bush than return to their vessels. During the last six weeks, the General Government have authorized me to employ some men for the purpose of assisting the Police in recovering deserters. In this service, lam glad to be able to report that we have been very successful, having captured upwards of thirty (30) men, deserters from both branches of the Service; some of whom have been taken in the bush more than 40 miles from Auckland, and the party in pursuit have been out both day and night during the late severe weather. At the same time I would bring to your Honor's notice, that I have met with some difficulty in obtaining men for this service, owing to the hardships to be endured, and I very much fear that I will be unable to induce them again to accompauy the Police on this duty. The matter being now in the hands of the Government, I trust the opportunity will not be lost of impressing upon the Naval and Military Authorities, that it is desirable that more active precautionary measures should on their part be taken for the prevention of desertion. I cannot conclude without acknowledging that in respect to the Military, General Cameron has done me the honor to receive with attention, and has given prompt effect to suggestions which at times I have made in connexion with the conduct of his men; and should the Naval Authorities feel disposed to adopt the same course, the Government will have obviated the necessity of organizing a large and expensive body of men for the sole purpose of keeping the sailors on board their ships. 1 have, &c, James Nafghton, His Honor the Superintendent, Commissioner of Police. Auckland. P. S. —I ought to have acquainted your Honor that on the arrival of the " Fawn" in the harbour the other day, I applied to "have the Naval Deserters taken on board, but Commander Cator refused at first to take more than six of them; notwithstanding that, as complained of by Commodore Seymour, she is so short-handed. The Commander's reason for refusing was, that they did not all belong to his ship: he at length, however, consented to accept them. J. N.

Sub-Enclosure 1 in No. 6. Armed Police Office, 4th October, 1860. Sir, — It is with reluctance that I feel myself called upon to draw your attention to the gross misconduct of several of the sailors of Her Majesty's ship "Iris", whilst ashore, in the streets of this town, more particularly during last night, when some of them attacked and treated in a very indecent manner several very respectable ladies, who were returning from a bazaar which had been held that evening for charitable purposes; and had not the Police interfered there is no knowing what further outrage these ladies would have been subjected to. And upon the same evening the attention of the constable on duty in Upper Queen-street was attracted to the cries of two females, whom some sailors were ill treating. Upon his remonstrating with them and advising them to desist, nine or ten of them fell upon him and beat him in a most cruel manner; in fact until I ascertain the result of the doctor's examination of him, I am unable to say what damage he has received. This conduct is not only unmanly and unworthy of men belonging to so distinguished a branch of the British Service, but is exceedingly ungrateful on their part, for I know from personal observation, that on many occaisons during the winter when the Police discovered sailors lying out in the cold and wet, they took them up and brought them to their station-house, placed them before a warm fire and oftentimes gave them refreshments in order to restore them. I therefore beg to request that you will have the goodness to take such measures as to you may seem most proper to prevent a recurrence of the conduct which has rendered it necessary on my part to make this disagreeable report. Before concluding, sir, I would wish further to apprize you that several of the sailors evince a strong disposition to molest and insult the Natives. This, I would submit, is very injudicious

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DESERTIONS FROM SHIPS OF WAR.