A.—6;

19. The mission a vessel is destined to perform is considered before she is built. To employ sea-going vessels for purely local defence would be to misuse their power : they may come in in a time of need as an aid ; but that is the exception. What is required for local defence varies in every port: each one must be considered separately on the spot as to the defence that is necessary for it ; and no one will recognize better than your Excellency that in such matters also the question of cost is intimately connected. 20. It appears to me that it would only add to delay and create difficulties if we began by considering what ships we ought to have, unless we know we are in a position to pay for them. So far as I can gather this view is shared by others also. I invite for your consideration whether tbe minute recently put forward by Mr. Stuart might not form the basis for a scheme for adoption. When we know the sum that will be at our disposal, the question will arise how to obtain a maximum effect from that sum. The amount of that sum would in no small degree affect not only the number but the type of ship that would be recommended. , 21. Should the force on this station receive an addition, your Excellency may rely upon it New Zealand will be frequented by Her Majesty's ships, and will be visited frequently by the squadron in a time of peace. It is but reasonable that those who contribute should see the result of their contribution and feel assured of the benefit derived from it; but it seemed to me impossible to suggest that there should be a general contribution, and that one colony should stipulate as a condition for her contribution that a portion of the force created should be localized. 22. As to the past, no one can suppose that those who preceded me would not have frequently sent Her Majesty's vessels to New Zealand, but the long and wearying cruises that have been undertaken year after year of late among the Islands have fully occupied the squadron. Those cruises were undertaken because duty called the ships where civilization and barbarism have been so prominently brought into contact of late years, and wherever such is the case Her Majesty's ships have important duties to perform, not only in relation to trade and commerce, but in the interest of Her Majesty's subjects. 23. Take the case of some of the colonies of Australia. They have provided forts for the defence of the principal ports, and, where necessary, vessels suited for local defence, including torpedo-boats. New Zealand is doing much the same —viz., providing a purely local defence. In Australia I see in the papers, and I hear elsewhere opinions expressed that it is time to go further afield. I read, New Zealand inclines to the same opinion. It remains to carry out these wishes. I have, &c., G. Teyon, Bear-Admiral and Commander-in-Chief. His Excellency Lieutenant-General Sir W. F. Drummond Jervois, E.E., G.C.M.G., C.8., &c, Governor and Commander-in-Chief, New Zealand.

No. 29. Memoeandum for His Excellency. Ministers have the honour to acknowledge the receipt from His Excellency of the letter addressed by Bear-Admiral Tryon, C.8., dated the 24th June, 1885, to His Excellency, dealing with two memoranda submitted by Ministers in May last. 2. The Admiral does not profess to do more than refer formally to the memoranda, and " to correct one or two points on which there is a misconception." 3. The Admiral writes that it is a mistake to suppose that he has made official proposals to some of the Australasian Colonies. Ministers may be forgiven for falling into the error. The suggestions made by the Admiral to the neighbouring Governments had all the appearance of being official; and this view was supported by statements made in England, and not contradicted, that the Admiral was authorized to negotiate with the Colonial Governments upon the question of naval defence. 4. The subject of naval defence, as it relates to this colony, divides itself into three heads : (1) The disposition of Her Majesty's navy throughout the world; (2) The disposition of the men-of-war on the Australasian station; and (3) Local defences provided by the colony. 5. With regard to (1). This is not a question with which the colonies can be supposed to deal. Ministers have no doubt that Her Majesty's Government will, in case of war, take the most efficient measures for the protection of all parts of the Empire; and they fully realize that the disposition of the navy at places far removed from New Zealand may be of immense service in its defence. Indeed, in the event of a war with Eussia, a strong squadron on the Chinese station would be of incalculable benefit to this colony. 6. With regard to (2). It appears that the Admiral, so far from considering that there is anything in the conditions or position of New Zealand to separate her from the other Australasian Colonies, is of opinion that a fleet stationed off, and with its head-quarters in, Australia can efficiently deal with the defence of New Zealand, from a distance of twelve to fifteen hundred miles,, without any assurance of a portion of the fleet being stationed here, or calling at any port of this colony more often than convenience may dictate. 7. Ministers venture to express the opinion that the Admiral has not thought out the question sufficiently, and is entirely mistaken as to the view which he appears, from paragraph 12 of his letter, to hold as to the inability or unwillingness of New Zealand to supply whatever may be needed for the purpose of the head-quarters of a section of the fleet. Ministers think that, if the Admiral will honour this colony with a visit, he will entertain a higher opinion of its resources, and be more alive to its real necessities in the matter of naval defence. 8. During the last five years and a half (from the Ist January, 1880, to the present time) only fourteen visits have been made to New Zealand by Her Majesty's ships, whilst those of foreign war-:

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