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Sir George Grey requests that the Marquis of Normanby will be so good as at once to telegraph a copy of this memorandum to Her Majesty's Government for their information. At Sea, 4th May, 1878.

No. 6. His Excellency the Governor to Hon. the Premier. Hon. Sir George Grey, Alexandra. Auckland, sth May, 1878. Have had much pleasure in forwarding by telegraph, to Secretary of State, the memorandum of the Government relating to defence. Normanby.

No. 7. Hon. the Colonial Secretary to the Agent-General. Vogel, London. Wellington, 13th May, 1878. Ask War Office show Governor's telegram about defences. Ship armament various ports promptly. Whitmore.

No. 8. Hon. the Colonial Secretary to the Agent-General. Sir, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 17th May, 1878. I have the honor to forward to you herewith duplicate of my letter of May 3rd, sent via Brindisi. 2. As was recognized as probable when that letter was despatched, the Government have determined to adopt generally the defensive armament recommended by the Committee of Imperial Officers, in substitution of that which had been adopted prior to the receipt by His Excellency the Governor of the telegram as to the Committee's recommendation. 3. In consequence of this determination, a telegram (of which a copy is enclosed) was sent to you on the 13th instant, directing you to place yourself in communication with the War Office, and to ship with the utmost promptitude the guns and ammunition to be supplied by the Imperial Government. 3. In my letter of May 3rd, I directed that the twenty-four guns which would have been necessary for our own plan of defence should be shipped as follows : — To Auckland .. .. .. .. .. 6 guns. Wellington.. .. .. .. .. 10 „ Lyttelton .. .. .. .. .. 4 „ Port Chalmers .. ... .. .. 4 „ 4. The plans accepted by the Government will involve the shipment of eleven 7-ton guns and eleven 64-pounders, making twenty-two in all. Should you ascertain that there will be no difficulty in obtaining two more converted 64-pounder guns on reasonable terms, in addition, you will be good enough to inform the Government by wire, and also the probable cost. 5. The distribution of the guns is not yet known, but the same proportion, leaving a surplus to Wellington for supplying other ports, should be observed. I have, &c, The Agent-General for New Zealand, London. G. S. Whitmore. By Authority: Geobge Didsbuet, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB7B. Price 3d.]

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