A.—No. 1.

16

DESPATCHES FROM THE GOVERNOR OF

Enclosure in No. 25. Memorandum by Mr. Gisborne. Wellington, 16th September, 1869. Adverting to Despatch No. 51, of the 30th April last, from the Eight Honorable the Secretary of State for the Colonies, respecting certain alleged inaccuracies in the new edition of the Charts of New Zealand, the Postmaster-General would observe that the Colonial Government does not anticipate that the words " Light Building " at Cape Saunders, will lead to any serious consequences, as a beacon is about to be erected there —a simple circular wall about fifteen feet high and fifteen feet in diameter, and painted white. It is suggested that the best way to correct future issues of the Chart would be to insert the words " Beacon resembling," so that the sentence would read, " Beacon resembling a " Light Building." With regard to the paragraph in Mr. Romanic's letter to the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, of date 15th February, 1869, (enclosed in the Despatch,) which refers to the non-receipt of official information relative to the buoys and beacons of the South Channel of Manukau Harbour, His Excellency is respectfully requested to forward the accompanying extracts from the New Zealand Gazette, for the information of the Admiralty, as it is considered that they will satisfactorily explain the reasons for the apparent neglect. W. Gisborne, For His Excellency the Governor. (for the Postmaster-General).

Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure in No. 25. Extract from New Zealand Gazette No. 44, of 14th August, 1869. NOTICE TO MAEINEES.— No. 21 of 1869. Marine Department, Wellington, 30th July, 1869. The following Notice to Mariners, announcing the replacement of the Buoys in Manukau Harbour, is reprinted from the Auckland Provincial Gazette for general information. James M. Balfour, Colonial Marine Engineer.

Harbour Department, Manukau, 6th July, 1869. Notice is hereby given, that all tho Buoys connected with the Manukau Harbour have recently been repaired and moored in their proper places, and Mariners are to observe that all the Buoys and Beacons painted red are placed on the starboard side of the channel, and the black Buoys on the port side of the channel, inwards. The " Tranmere " Shoal Buoy (black) is now moored in four (4) fathoms at low water spring tides, close to the S.E. part of the Shoal, and Mariners are to avoid the more southern part of the Shoal by paying attention to the pointing of the Semaphore arms at tho Signal Station, or by keeping the South Head Beacons open (about three breadths) southwards. The South Head Beaconways will shortly be extended, and the Beacons adjusted to tho course of the Channel; and, when completed, due notice will be given. The least water now found in the course of the Southern Channel is three (3) fathoms at low-water spring tides, deepening quickly to four (4) and five (5) fathoms. Thomas Wing, Harbourmaster.

No. 26. Copy of a DESEATCH from Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.C., to the Eight Hon. Earl Granville, K.G. (No. 133.) Government House, Auckland, My Lord, — New Zealand, 13th October, 1869. With reference to previous correspondence respecting the disposal of the Barracks and Imperial Stores in New Zealand on the removal of Her Majesty's Troops, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's Despatch No. 88, of the 10th August ultimo, informing me that " the Lords Commissioners " of the Treasury have approved of the transfer to the Colony of all lands held by " the War Department from the Colonial Government, together with the buildings " erected thereon." 2. I would take this opportunity of reporting that I have also received from Major-General Sir Trevor Chute, copies or extracts of War Office letters addressed to him on the 16th and 18th June ultimo, respecting the disposal of the Imperial Stores inNNc r Zealand, stating that " the guns mounted in the Eort at Auckland, " together with the ammunition and stores belonging to them, may be handed " over to the Colony, free of charge;" and directing the General "to arrange for " the disposal of all stores belonging to the service by public sale, offering the " Colonial Government tho option of purchasing them at a fair and moderate " price, with the exception of warlike stores, when it will first be ascertained if