A.—No. la,

8

DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE

the duty of defending the Colony against internal disturbance; and they are supported in this decision by observing that Mr. Stafford does not make any proposal whatever as to the terms on which this regiment is to remain in the Colony. I have therefore no alternative but to inform you that its departure must not be delayed. I have, &c, BUCKINGHAM AND CHANDOS. Governor Sir G. F. Bowen G.C.M.G.

No. 13. Copy of a DESPATCH from His Grace the Duke of Buckingham to Governor Sir G. P. Bowen, G.C.M.G. (No. 117.) Downing Street, 6th November, 1868. SIR, — (Beceived at Wellington, 23rd January, 1869.) I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 87, of the 31st of August, with its enclosures, respecting the distribution of the 18th Regiment in New Zealand. You appear to me to have taken a correct view of the instructions under which the location of this regiment, so long as it shall remain in the Colony, has been determined, and I approve of the terms of the letters you addressed on this subject to Major-General Sir T. Chute. I have, &c, BUCKINGHAM AND CHANDOS. Governor Sir G. F. Bowen, G.C.M.G.

No. 14. Copy of a DESPATCH from His Grace the Duke of Buckingham to Governor Sir G. P. Bowen, G.C.M.G. (No. 119.) Downing Street, 7th November, 1868. (Beceived at Wellington, 27th January, 1869.) SIR, — (Answered, No. 21, 12th February, 1869.) I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch No. 67, of the 25th July, reporting the appointment of Major the Honorable John Larkins Cheese Richardson to be Speaker of the Legislative Council of NeAV Zealand, in the place of the Honorable T. H. Bartley, who has resigned. I have, &c, BUCKINGHAM AND CHANDOS. Governor Sir G. F. Bowen, G.C.M.G.

No. 15. Copy of a DESPATCH from His Grace the Duke of Buckingham to Governor Sir G. P. Bowen, G.C.M.G. (No. 120.) Downing Street, 16th November, 1868. (Beceived at Wellington, 27th January, 1869.) Sir, — (Answered, No. 13, 30th January, 1869.) I transmit to you a copy of a letter from the Foreign Office, with its enclosures, respecting the accusation of assisting the escape of convicts from Chatham Islands which is stated to have been brought against the captain of the French whaler " Winslow " by the Wellington Independent newspaper. I learn from a passage in your Despatch No. 79, of the Bth August, that it had been first alleged that the prisoners had landed at Whareongonga from a French or American whaler, although the report proved to be incorrect. As some publicity, however, appears to have been given to the charge brought against Captain La Baste, I request that, should his vessel be the one referred to in the New Zealand papers, you will take the necessary steps for contradicting the report. I have, &c, BUCKINGHAM AND CHANDOS. Governor Sir G. F. Bowen, G.C.M.G.