A.-No. 1.

No. 8. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir George Grey, X.C.8., to the Right Hon. Edward Cardwell, M.P. (No. 147.) Government House, Wellington, Sir, — 14th November, 1865. I have the honor to transmit for your information copies of a correspondence between myself and Major-General Chute, from which you will find that I see no reason for making any change in the arrangements made for the return of five regiments from this Colony to England. 2. I beg to direct your attention to the fact, that the delay which has taken place in the embarkation of the second regiment for Europe is not to be attributed to any interference on my part, but to the difficulty of obtaining suitable transport. 3. I beg further to report, that I recommended that further considerable reductions should be made in the military expenditure incurred by Great Britain in this Colony by sending home a part of the Royal Artillery and the Military Train, now serving here. Major-General Chute however informed me that no authority had yet been received from the Secretary of State for War for the return of any part of these corps to Europe. I have, &c, The Right Hon. Edward CardweU, M.P. G. GREY.

H. E. the Governor, Aug. 9, 1865. Major-General Chute, 9th Oct., 1865. H. E. the Governor^Oet. 13,1865.

Enclosure 1 in No. 8. Governor Sir George Grey, X.C.8., to Brigadier-General Waddy, C.B. Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 9th August, 1865. I have the honor to acquaint you that, in compliance with the instructions of Her Majesty's Government, it is my intention to order the immediate return to Europe of five of the regiments now serving in this command, and that I am of opinion that at least one regiment per month may safely be withdrawn from New Zealand, until five regiments have been sent home. I have therefore the honor to request that you will issue orders for the return of one regiment to Europe with as little delay as possible. I have in another letter requested you to meet me at Wellington, when we shall be able to settle in detail the dates at which the other regiments can be embarked for England. I have, &c, The Hon. Brigadier-General Waddy, C.B. G. Geey.

Enclosure 2 in No. 8. Major-General Chute to Governor Sir George Grey, K.C.B. Sir,— Wellington, 9th October, 1865. Adverting to your Excellency's letter of the 9th of August last, addressed to BrigadierGeneral Waddy, C.8., conveying your orders for the immediate return to Europe of one regiment, and your opinion that one regiment per month may safely be withdrawn until five regiments have been sent home, I have the honor to inform your Excellency, that, in pursuance of your instructions, the 65th Eegiment will have embarked in the course of a few days; and in reference to the interview I had the honor of having with you this morning, I shall feel obliged by your Excellency informing mo whether I may make any arrangements for the departure of the remaining four regiments. I take this opportunity of stating that the resident Transport Officer has reported that, on account of the difficulty of obtaining a suitable class of troop-ship in New Zealand, it will be necessary that he should have at least two months' notice for securing tonnage for the conveyance of troops to England. I do myself the honor to enclose the copy of a letter from the Secretary of State for War, dated 26th July, 1865, received last mail. I have, &c, His Excellency Sir George Grey, K.C.B. T. Chute, Major-General.

Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 2 in No. 8. Sir,— War Office, 26th July, 1865. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch of the 15th of May last, No. 121, and to inform you that I approve of the steps which you have taken to commence the withdrawal of the troops from New Zealand, and that I trust you will be able, not only at an early period to complete the reduction of the force contemplated in my Despatch of the 29th February, but that the instructions sent by the Secretary of State for the Colonies to the Governor will be bo carried into execution by that officer as to tend to the almost immediate removal of the whole. I have, &c, Lieut.-General Sir Duncan Cameron, X.C.8., De Grey asd Eipon. Commanding H.M. Forces, New Zealand.

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DESPATCHES FROM THE GOVERNOR OE NEW