A.—No. 1.

10

DESPATCHES EROM THE GOVERNOR OE NEW

No objection to the present distribution of these troops was made at the time by the military authorities on the ground of want of proper barrack accommodation ; and if General Chute, as would appear from his letter, considers proper barrack accommodatioTi to mean provision for officers' quarters within barracks, it is sufficient to observe that no quarters for officers have ever been provided or required by the Imperial Government at any post where Imperial troops have been stationed in New Zealand. For His Excellency the Governor. E. W. Staffobd.

No. 3. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. P. Bowex, G.C.M.G., to His Grace the Duke of Buckingham. (No. 95.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord Duke, — New Zealand, 18th September, 1868. My predecessor, Sir George Grey, in his Despatch No. 120, of the 23rd September, 1865, expressed the sense entertained by him and by the Government of New Zealand of the efficient assistance rendered by Captain Charles Hope, K.N., commanding Her Majesty's ship " Brisk," on the occasion of the expedition to Opotiki. 2. The " Brisk" is now about to leave this station finally for England, and I have been requested by the Executive Council to convey the thanks of the Government of New Zealand to Captain Hope, and to the officers and men under his command, for their important services during the recent war. 3. I entirely concur with my Ministers in the hope that your Grace will direct a copy of this Despatch to be forwarded to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. I have, &c, G. F. BOWEN. His Grace the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos.

No. 4. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. F. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to His Grace the Duke of Buckingham. (No. 97.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord Duke, — New Zealand, 29th September, 1808. At the request of my llesponsible Advisers, I have the honor to forward herewith, a Memorandum by Mr. Hall, the Postmaster-General, transmitting a paper by the Marine Engineer of this Colony, explanatory of the circumstances under which a survey of a portion of the coast line of New Zealand has been undertaken by the Colonial Government, as well as of the manner in which that survey is being conducted. 2. I beg leave to solicit your Grace to cause a copy of this Despatch, and of its enclosure, to be transmitted to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, with the view of ascertaining whether the results of the surveys now being carried on can be placed on the Admiralty Charts, as new editions are issued. It will be seen that the Government of New Zealand will be ready to comply, to the best of its ability, with any conditions which the Admiralty may think it right to attach to the acceptance of these surveys. 3. I may mention that when Captain Charles Hope, commanding H.M.S. "Brisk," which has been for a long time in the waters of this Colony, Avas lately at Wellington, on his voyage home, he inspected the plans, field books, &c, of the Marine Surveyor, and expressed himself as well satisfied with them. He also told me that on his arrival in England he would make it a point to see the Hydrographer of the Admiralty on the subject. I have, &c, G. E. BOWEN. His Grace the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos.