A.—No. 5

4

CORRESPONDENCE RESPECTING H.M. SHIPS.

to transmit to you for your information a copy of a correspondence which has passed upon the subject with the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty. I have, &c, Julius Vogel, Esq. H. T. Holland.

Sub-Enclosure 1 to Enclosure 2 in No. 1. Mr. Holland to the Secretary to the Admiralty. Sir,— Downing Street, 18th May, 1871. I am directed by the Earl of Kimberley to transmit to you, for the consideration of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, a copy of a letter from Mr. Vogel, the Treasurer of New Zealand, on the subject of the naval assistance to be afforded to the Colony by Her Majesty's Government. His Lordship desires me to state that the instructions sent at the request of Lord Granville were not intended to convey an assurance that they might rely on the presence of any particular number of Her Majesty's vessels on the New Zealand Coast, and that he is fully aware that it would not be consistent with the general arrangements of Her Majesty's Naval Service, to give a promise that any particular number of vessels should always be kept there ; but His Lordship attaches weight to the considerations urged by Mr. Vogel, and regards it as a matter of importance that Her Majesty's vessels should show themselves frequently in the ports of New Zealand, especially in those parts of the Colony where disaffection is apprehended, for the purpose indicated by Mr. Vogel, namely, to prevent any impression amongst the Natives that the removal of the troops implies an abandonment of the Colony by the Queen. Lord Kimberley would therefore be glad if the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty would give such instructions to the officers commanding Her Majesty's vessels as will insure their special attention to this service. I have, &c, The Secretary to the Admiralty. 11. T. Holland.

Sub-Enclosure 2 to Enclosure 2 in No. 1. Mr. Wolley to Sir F. Rogers, Bart. Sir, — Admiralty, Ist June, 1871. With reference to your letter of the 18th ultimo, respecting the Naval assistance to be afforded to the Colony of New Zealand, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that Commodore Stirling has been informed that it is intended eventually to reinforce the squadron under his orders by another vessel; and, in the meantime, he has been directed to make such arrangements for meeting the wishes of the Earl of Kimberley as may be effected without prejudice to the requirements for visits of Her Majesty's ships to other parts of the station. I have, &c, Sir Frederic Rogers, Bart., &c, &c, Colonial Office. Thomas Wolley.

Enclosure 3 in No. 1. Hon. J. Vogel to the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. My Lord, — Charing Cross Hotel, London, 12th June, 1871. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Lordship's letter of the Bth instant, enclosing copy of correspondence between the Colonial Office and the Board of Admiralty, respecting Her Majesty's ships on the Coast of New Zealand; and I thank your Lordship for the same. I have, &c., The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. Julius Vogel.