A.—No. 1.

4

DESPATCHES EROM THE GOVERNOR OE NEW

further argued here (as I am informed), that since the expenditure on special Native objects during the seven financial years from 1860-1 to J866-7 amounted to two hundred and ninety-six thousand and thirty-five pounds eight shillings and tenpence, or exceeded on the average forty thousand pounds annually, this expenditure alone should be considered a fair equivalent for the presence of one regiment, being at the rate of forty pounds each for one thousand men, the capitation paid in the principal Australian Colonies, with the exception of Tasmania, which (it is asserted) pays nothing at all for the troops quartered there. 5. I abstain from glancing at the numerous grounds of Imperial policy and feeling on which the maintenance of a small contingent of Imperial troops in each of the chief provinces of the Empire, and especially in those which, like the Cape and New Zealand, are exposed to the attacks of formidable native races, has been defended by the late Lord Herbert of Lea (while Secretary of State for War), by Mr. Herman Merivale, Mr. T. P. Elliot, and other statesmen and official and political writers; for lam fully aware that forcible arguments have also been adduced on the other side. 6. As I have been requested to forward a Resolution of the Legislative Council on this important subject, it seemed to be obviously my duty to submit at the same time my own opinion respecting it. But, having submitted that opinion as briefly as possible, I hope that I need scarcely add that it will be equally my duty to carry out loyally and energetically, so far as in me lies, the instructions of Her Majesty's Government respecting the Imperial troops, or any other matter pertaining to my office. 7. I believe that in my Despatches by the present mail, and in my previous Despatches, written since my arrival in New Zealand in last February, I have fully and fairly (in the terms of the enclosed Resolution) " placed the present " state of this Colony before the Imperial Government." I have, &c, His Grace the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos. G. P. BOWEN. P.S. —I had of course asked my Responsible Advisers if they wished me to transmit any opinion or papers from them together with the Resolution of the Legislative Council. Owing to the delay of a messenger, their Memorandum has reached me just as the mail is closing. I am therefore obliged to forward it without any further remarks.

See especially '' Colonization and Colonies," pp. 513-520. See Mr. T. P. Elliot's Memorandum of 28th Jan., 1860, published in the Parliamentary Papcvp.

Enclosure in No. 1. Memorandum: by Mr. Stafford. Wellington, Bth August, 1808. Mr. Stafford presents his respectful compliments to His Excellency. He has received His Excellency's Memorandum of the 7th instant, on the subject of the Resolution passed by the Legislative Council, praying that, if within his discretion, His Excellency would delay the embarkation of the only Imperial regiment now in New Zealand, until His Excellency shall have placed the present state of the Colony before the Imperial Government, and have received instructions thereon. Mr. Stafford would submit to His Excellency, that since October, 1805, Mr. Stafford has declined to advise that Imperial troops should be employed in the field, or to accede, on behalf of the Colony, to any formal conditions on which the single regiment now in New Zealand should be retained. Mr. Stafford dyes not now propose to depart from the course which, as indicated above, has been consistently pursued for the last three years. For His Excellency the Governor. E. "W. Staffokd.

No. 2. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. P. BoWßir, G.C.M.G., to His Grace the Duke of Buckingham. (No. 87.) Government House, Wellington, New Zealand, My Lord Duke, — 31st August, 1868. I have the honor to forward herewith, for your Grace's information, copies of a letter addressed to me on the 30th July ultimo, by Major-General Sir Trevor Chute, K.C.8., respecting the distribution of the 2nd Battalion of the 18th Regiment, now in New Zealand; of my reply, dated on the 22nd instant;