DESPATCHES FROM THE GOVERNOR OF

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would have joined in an address of sympathy and congratulation to the Queen; showing that the people of this distant Province of the British Empire desire to share in the trials and sorrows as well as in the national glory and prosperity of their fellow-subjects in the Mother Country. I have, &c, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. G. P. BOWEN.

No. 52. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. P. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. (No. 24) Government House, Wellington, My Lord, — New Zealand, Ist March, 1872. I have the honor to report that I lost no time in directing the attention of the Colonial Government to your Lordship's Circular Despatch of the Bth August ultimo, in which it is stated that, " with the view to give a distinct recog- " nition of the position of the Colonial forces as a portion of the Military forces " of the Empire, it is proposed in future to insert in the Army List the names of " all officers of the Colonial Militia and Volunteers." 2. This announcement lias caused great satisfaction in this Colony; and will, I am confident, be productive of much advantage in various ways. 3. Considerable delay has been unavoidable in making up the required lists, in consequence of the large number of officers employed in New Zealand during the recent war. For the sake of accuracy, it has been found necessary to refer to the Officers Commanding the several Militia Districts into which this Colony is divided. 4. At length the Defence Minister has been enabled to transmit to me the enclosed lists in a printed form, and to assure me that they have been compiled with the greatest care. 5. It will be observed that the majority of the Field Officers of the New Zealand Militia have served previously in the Army. The name of Te Kepa (Major Kemp), and of the other Maori chiefs holding rank in the Colonial forces, will be found in their proper places in the Militia List. 6. It will be seen that the officers of the Armed Constabulary are included in the accompanying printed returns. Ido not know if the regulations will allow of their being included in the Army List; but lam requested to state that it will be satisfactory to the Colonial Government if this force can be so recognized, as it is, practically, the standing and permanent armed force of the Colony, and performs military duties, in garrisoning forts and redoubts, and patroling the border and districts; duties similar, in fact, to those which were performed by the Cape Mounted Rifles, and other Colonial corps. 7. With the object of submitting the above explanations, it has appeared most convenient to forward the New Zealand lists, in the first instance, through the Colonial Office. Henceforward, they will be sent direct to the War Office, in the manner directed in your Lordship's Despatch now under acknowledgment. I have, &c, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. G. P. BOWEN.

Copy of Army List in General Assembly Library

No. 53. Copt of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. F. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. (No. 25.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord, — New Zealand, 2nd March, 1872. Adverting to my Despatch No. 105, of the Bth November ultimo, I am now requested by my Responsible Advisers to transmit, and to recommend to favourable consideration, another Ministerial Memorandum respecting the New Zealand Thormiwm. I have, &c, The Right Hon. the Eari of Kimberley. G. F. BOWEN.

Memo, by Mr. fiisborne, Eeb, 27, 1872.