PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE MILITARY DEFENCE OF THE COLONY.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1858 Session I, A-03a

A—No. 3a.

PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE MILITARY DEFENCE OF THE COLONY.

Presented to the Honourable the House of Representatives by command of His Excellency 23rd June, 1858, and ordered to he printed.

AUCKLAND: 1858.

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[MEMORAHDOr.] February 9th, 1857. Your Excellency's Ministers have the honor to report that there is every reason to believe that within the last few days a considerable quantity of Arms and Ammunition for the use of the Natives has again been landed within a few miles of Auckland, without any power on the part of the Government to prevent what has now become a matter of frequent occurrence. It is imperatively required that one or two Steam Vessels of War should be placed under the orders of the Governor of New Zealand, which, amongst other advantages, would have the effect of preventing similar occurrences for the future. The extensive Sea the Colony, and the many places accessible to Vessels where no Government establishments exist, present innumerable facilities, in the well known absence of any of Her Majesty's Ships of War, to persons interested in maintaining a trade with the Natives,, fraught with danger to the peace of Her Majesty's subjects of both Races. Prominently amongst the ill effects of such a trade, is the large supply of munitions of war, which are notoriously from time to time supplied to the Natives ; and this evil is aggravated from the circumstances that the Ships of foreign States are frequently the medium of the traffic. During the course of each year about one hundred Whaling Ships of the United States visit different parts of the Colony ; and are constantly cruizing within a few miles of its shores. The knowledge that none of Her Majesty's Ships are stationed on the coast, enables them, almost without risk, to supply the Natives with articles which the latter are by local laws prevented from obtaining in the ordinary course of trade. It is scarcely possible to exaggerate the ill effects of such a state of affairs ; not only are the Natives supplied with articles hurtful to themselves ; but they are at the same time encouraged, by the impunity and regularity with which the traffic can at present be maintained, to set at defiance laws which they are led to believe are unjust towards them, and which they daily perceive Her Majesty Government is powerless to enforce. Almost insensibly a feeling of contempt for the law extends itself in their minds to all matterswhere an observance of it would interfere with the wish of the moment ; which must act as a powerful agent in destroying that spirit of acquiescence in the supreme authority of the Government which is essential alike to their own civilization and to the maintenance of peaceful relations with the Colonists. And this feeling is increased by the representations of foreigners connected with the traffic referred to and anxious to maintain it; who instil into their minds the belief that the establishment of Her Majesty's Government is oppressive to their liberties, and in opposition to their interests. In this respect the present Government of New Zealand is most unfavourably circumstanced in comparison with that of Sir G. Grey,—whose statements of the necessity of Steam Vessels of War being permanently stationed in New Zealand were admitted and acted upon by successive Secretaries of State, ■while other of Her Majesty's Ships were also placed under the orders of the Governor. The withdrawal of all these has been noticed by the Natives, and has been taken advantage of by them and by others ; and the difficulty of conducting the Government of the Colony satisfactorily or with benefit to its inhabitants has been consequently much increased. Whatever measures may be adopted to meet the evils referred to must be comparatively nugatory, unless accompanied with the power to enforce them ; and an earnest and frequent consideration of this question has led to the conclusion that Her Majesty's Imperial Government should be requested to supply the deficiency which has for some time past existed in this respect. Any Ships of War detailed for that purpose should be under the orders of the Governor of New Zealand alone ; as otherwise their services could not be relied on with sufficient certainty ; as was evidenced in the case of Capt. Genny, when in command of the " Fantome," refusing to comply with the request of the Government to visit New Plymouth ; though an active Native war was raging there. (Signed) E. W. STAFFORD. Government House, Auckland, New Zealand, 23rd Jan., 1858. Sir,— I have the honor to forward a report from the Resident Magistrate at Napier to the Colonial Secretary with a Memorandum from myself to my responsible advisers, and a letter addressed to the Officer Commanding the Forces with his reply. 2. In accordance with the wishes of my advisers I have requested Col. Wynyard to detach a party of 300 men and 4 guns to Port Napier to be there encamped until permanent and defencible accommodation is provided for two companies, whom I propose to station permanently at that place. " The cost of providing this accommodation is not to be defrayed from the Military Chest unless authorised by Her Majesty's Government." 1

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3. The district of Nai}ier (or Ahuriri) consists chiefly of large, undulating, well watered plains occupied by Europeans and Natives who are thoroughly intermixed. There is however this marked difference that the Europeans, who number somewhere about 1000, are thinly scattered over the country on sheep and cattle stations, while the Natives are united in pahs or villages. The latter could therefore destroy the former at any time without difficulty. Hitherto Hapuka and other friendly Natives have secured us from harm, but what course Moananui will pursue if he succeed in destroying his opponent, remains to be seen ; he has already shewn signs of ill will, and is an ally of Te Heu lieu the chief organizer of the movement for establishing a King on the Waikato, and a league to prevent the sale of land to the Government. 4. A building, called the King's house, and a flag staff have been erected at the confluence of the Waipa and Waikato rivers, but I have not thought it advisable to notice that which I have no power to prevent. My despatch No. sof the 22nd instant, will also inform you of an unfortunate occurrence at New Plymouth. ' As yet there has been no co-operation between these parties, but their junction would be so easy to themselves and so prejudicial to us that I observe their movements carefully: not to be able to vindicate the law in one place, and to be unable to afford protection to those who seek it in another, would be an admission of weakeness too obvious to be overlooked by so acute a people as the Maories. 5. I beg to assure you that every care shall be taken to avert a collision between the two races, and every forbearance compatible with the honor of the Crown shall be shewn in dealing with the Natives ; but I do trust that not less than two complete Regiments and a Steamer of War will be stationed permanently in New Zealand. The men discharged from the 58th Regt. have reduced the military force to less than 1400 men, but I hope they will be replaced as soon as possible. After what I have written on the subject of Naval protection I feel that it is almost impertinent to add more, but I should neglect my duty if I did not urge the necessity or it by every means in my power. 6. By the next mail I shall have to report to you the result of my visit to the North, where the Natives were profuse in their expressions of attachment, and replaced the flag , staff which had been cut clown in the last war. They were very anxious that I should share in the demonstration made on this occasion and I much wished to have done so, but feeling that constancy is not always to be expected in savages, and that those who erected the flag staff might again cut it down, I was obliged to excuse myself in the best way I could. Had 1 however been 3ure of Naval protection I should not have hesitated to respond warmly to such loyal expressions, and have every reason to believe that my so doing would have been attended with the best effect. Again therefore I beg to urge on you the necessity of stationing a Steamer of War in the waters of this Colony with instructions not to leave them. I have, &c. (Signed) T. Goke Browne. The Right Honorable H. Labouchere, M. P. Government House, Auckland, New Zealand, 25th Feb., 1858. Sin,— I have the honor to enclose copy of certain correspondence which has taken place in reference to the Military defence of the Colony, comprising letters from the Officer Commanding the Forces, my reply and a Memorandum from my Responsible Advisers. 2. The letter marked 1 is from Col. Wynyard, the Officer Commanding the Forces in New Zealand, suggesting that I should apply to the Australian Government for 4 companies or the wing of a Regiment. Letter No. 2 is my reply to the above, stating that nothing but the most extreme necessity would warrant my applying to another Colony for Military assistance, and that I did not think that necessity had yet arisen. No. 3. is a letter from Col. Wynyard pressing on the Colonial Government the necessity of considering where and how reinforcements can be obtained in the event of the force under his command being concentrated at New Plymouth at the expense of Auckland and Wellington. Nos. 4 and 5 are statements of the present disposition of the troops, and the Arms available for the Militia. No. 6 is a Memorandum from my Responsible Advisers earnestly soliciting that an additional Military force should be stationed in the Colony, and that at least one Steamer of War should be placed at the disposal of the Governor. 3. Since my despatch No. 12, of the 15th inst., I have received no further information from New Plymouth, and lam still of opinion that the measures adopted will have the desired effect on both the Natives and the settlers. It is however absolutely necessary that we should be prepared for a different result. To meet it I have ordered the Militia at New Plymouth and Wellington to be enrolled without delay; that at Auckland has been so for some time. I endeavoured in 1856 to embody the Militia at New Plymouth but failed in the attempt, but now in the event of hostilities, I have directed they should be called out for actual service under the penalties provided by the Militia Ordinance. 4. Should Her Majesty's troops stationed at Auckland and Wellington be required at New Plymouth I shall have considerable difficulty in making the Militia supply their place ;for, so long as the danger is remote, men employed in trade, and labourers earning very large wages will not easilybe pre-

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vailed on to serve in the Militia for a moderate remuneration. I will not however fail to do the utmost in my power to make them effective. 5. Pending the lamentable state of affairs in India I should feel ashamed to ask for more protection in this Colony, but Her Majesty's Government will, lam sure, agree with me that an exhibition of weakness would certainly provoke the hostility we desire to avoid. 6. Having in other despatches forwarded by this Mail endeavoured to give a clear account of the Natives and their position in relation to us, I need say no more than that in a Military point of view they have every advantage, as they possess and are capable of threading fastnesses we cannot enter, and that they occupy the interior while we are scattered along the coasts of the Island. 7. At this moment we have no Troops either in Nelson or the Bay of Islands, but ere long a Military Force will be required to control the mixture of Natives and Europeans who are thronging to the Gold Fields at the former place, and the scattered European population residing at or near the latter is too remote to be altogether safe without a small protecting force. 8. I submit therefore that the Colony can hardly be considered safe without 2000 rank and file distributed as follows :— Auckland 60C New Plymouth 300 Bay of Islands 100 Wellington , 420 Nelson 200 Wanganui , 180 Napier 200 2000 The force stationed at Auckland and Wellington would then be able to afford assistance to other parts of the Colony without leaving those settlements absolutely unprotected. On the subject of Naval protection I do not presume to offer any futher remarks, having perhaps exceeded my duty in what I have stated in other despatches. 9. It may be asked—is a Colony which possesses self-government in the most complete form to depend always on the mother country for Military support, and yet contribute nothing towards its expense ? In answer I would submit that when the revenue arrives at a certain sum—say £200,000 per annum, Her Majesty's Government may fairly require that the Colony should contribute towards the cost of its protection such contribution to increase with the increasing wealth of the Colony. The amount of last year's Customs revenue has not yet been ascertained, but I am assured that it will not be less than £130,000. In this Colony the European population is supposed to double in seven years, and considering the great increase of wealth consequent on extended cultivations and the multiplication of stock it may fairly be calculated that in a very few years the revenue will reach £200,000 per annum, and will continue rapidly increasing. lam led to adopt this view because the unusual stimulus to trade and agriculture which occurred when gold was discovered in Australia, and the subsequent re-action have both passed away, and the trade and revenue of the Colony are now based on safe and ordinary operations. I think therefore that in a few years the mother country may justly require a Colony which, like New Zealand, possesses entire self-government to contribute largely towards the expense of its own protection. 10. In a few years also it is to be hoped the Natives will be so far advanced as no longer to require special exemption from the control of the Assembly, and may in some way or other be represented in it. Till that time arrives I venture, at the risk of appearing importunate, to urge that a force sufficient to prevent any outbreak on the part of the Natives may be maintained in the Colony, for the jibsence of such a force may at any time subject New Zealand to disasters which would entail a vast expenditure of both blood and treasure. I have, &c, (Signed) T. Goke Browne. The Right Honourable H. Labouchere, M, P. Auckland, January 25th, 1858. Sib,— Looking at the distribution of the troops after the occupation of Port Napier by 300 men, as required by your Excellency, it will be evident no further call can be made on the Military resources of either Wellington or Auckland, unless the Colony makes some strenuous exertions in its own behalf; nor can the other out-posts on any account be weakened, on the contrary, they should be strengthened in the event of any unforeseen excitement on the part of the Natives ; such being the case, and seeing the possibility of the recall of the Service Companies of the 58th Regt., consequent on the demand for troops for India made on the mother country, I would respectfully venture to suggest to your Excellency the desirability of applying to the Australian Government for at least four complete companies, or the wing of a Regiment; so that the means may be at hand for carrying out any orders from home respecting the 58th Regiment, or of rendering assistance, if required, to the out-posts on either the East or West Coast.

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The continued absence of the October and November mails from England, and the consequent, ignorance of the wishes of the Home Authorities respecting the troops in this Command, urge me the more to seek your Excellency's assistance in securing for New Zealand the full complement of effectives viz., 1600 rank and file, which I have all along stated to be necessary, if so many outposts are to be maintained. I have, &c, (Signed) R. H. Wtnyakd, Col. Commanding the Farces. His Excellency The Governor. Government House, 2nd February 1858. Sir,— I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 25th January suggesting that I should make an application to the Australian Government for 4 Companies to supply the insufficiency ■of the Military force at present stationed in New Zealand. While thanking you for the suggestions contained in your letter I must state that in my opinion nothing but the most extreme necessity would warrant my applying to another Colony for Military assistance, and I do not think that necessity has yet arisen. The present disposition of troops has been made with a view to prevent any outbreak on the part of the Natives, and I have every reason to hope it will be attended with success. I have urged upon Her Majesty's Government the necessity of completing the force to its full establishment, but should my anticipations prove incorrect, I will not fail to act at once upon your other suggestions. I need not observe to you that so long as the wages of a day labourer continue at the present rate the Colony can make no exertion on its own behalf—no man can be expected to serve as a soldier for Is. a day when he can earn (!s. by working on the roads, and much more by other labor. I should add. that as soon as accommodation has been provided for the troops at Napier two companies only will be required there, and the remainder will be at your disposal. I have, &c, (Signed) T. Gore Beowne. The Honourable The Officer Commanding the Forces in New Zealand.

Auckland, 18th February, 1858. Sir, — As the efficiency of the New Zealand Militia is a work of time, if they respond to the call at all on the removal of the Troops from the extremities of the command, I feel it my duty (and I trust your jour Excellency will pardon me) to press upon the Colonial Government the necessity of considering where and how reinforcements can be obtained in the event of the Force under my command being concentrated at New Plymouth, at the expense of Auckland and Wellington. The Northern Province, which in such a case would be quite (for a small detachment of 50 men cannot be looked upon as more than Police) denuded of Troops, contains an area of nearly 17 millions of acres, and a Native population of upwards of 50,000. To traverse this space, and keep this population In check, the Detachment alluded to would be all the available Force. On the other hand, in the event of hostilities at New Plymouth, and the whole Force destined for that District collected, the total amount of Regulars will not exceed at the very outside seven hundred, aforce quite unequal to any lengthened and offensive operation, particularly if carried into the fastnesses of the forests, which under any circumstances I should recommend to be avoided, inasmuch as the Native having a thorough knowledge of the bye paths, slips through in a state of nudity, while the British Soldier, heavily armed and accoutred, has to scramble through in Indian files the best way he can, taking care also that he carries with him ammunition and other supplies,. Wellington I have not so forcibly alluded to, as 100 men might be withdrawn from Napier, and ao pushed on, if required, to Wanganui, with more ease than elsewhere, seeing the Southern Settlements can command the services of a suitable Steamer. On the lOth September, 1855, I informed your Excellency how the Troops should be disposed of if reduced to 1000, and dwelt upon the necessity of their being increased to 1600, under certain circumstances. On the 12th of September, 1856,1 entered still further into the subject, and have invariably laid stress on the desirability of having a Ship, or Ships of War, on the New Zealand station. Wanganui, perhaps is more a point for consideration than for the Ngatiruinui and the Wanganuis are powerful restless tribes, little to be depended upon, and in a position to be very troublesome to the Troops (at the mouth of the river so called) notwithstanding they occupy Stockades of considerable strength.

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Under these circumstances I have alluded to, I repeat my conviction, should the Native excitement increase, or even remain unabated, that the inland Force should be augmented, and a Marine one established, to which I humbly think the Government ought to pay timely attention ; for besides these Military considerations, be it ever remembered that Taranaki is an open and dangerous roadstead, and possessing by land no means of communication except with the concurrence of Natives who retain possession of the bulk of the District between that Province and the Seat of Government. If therefore Taranaki is likely to absorb about 700 men, and the local Force does not respond cheerfully and readily to the call, there should be I conceive at least an additional 600 Eegulars for the North with 200 for the South, and a company of Artillery ; and on the coast, not less than a Steamer of War and one if not two Gun Boats. This may appear a large augmentation, but it must never be forgotten how defective is the communication for Troops, and that the City of Auckland with all its Stores, Gunpowder, Guns, &c, &c, in ight easily be infested with hundreds and hundreds Natives from the Kaipara, the Thames, and other neighbouring Districts. While making these remarks, the demand at this moment on the mother country for Troops must not be lost sight of, a consideration that increases my anxiety for the subject of this communication being seriously entertained by the Colonial Government. , I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient humble servant, R. H. Wynyaed, Col. Commanding the Forces. His Excellency the Governor &c, &o. [memorandum.] 28rd February, 1858. With reference to the subject of Colonel Wynyard's letter of the 18th instant, the Responsible Advisers of the Crown in New Zealand, earnestly desire that the question of the Military and Naval Force, necessary to maintain Her Majesty's authority in New Zealand, should again be brought before the notice of the Imperial Government. They concur with the Officer Commanding the Forces, in believing that an augmentation of the Force at present in the Colony is imperatively necessary. It has previously repeatedlybeen shewn that a considerable Military Force, with the addition of ships of war, was required to secure Peace, and to protect the National Honor, both as respects the subject of foreign states who frequent the shores of New Zealand, —and with reference to its aboriginal inhabitants. Recent circumstances have made this more than ever necessary. The state of affairs at Hawke's Bay has required that a strong detachment of troops should be stationed at Napier ; while the renewal of the Native war at New Plymouth, under aggravated circumstances, may possibly require the whole available Military Force of the Colony to be concentrated in that district; thereby,—-as Colonel Wynyard has correctly stated—denuding of troops Auckland and Wellington. These, the two largest towns in the Colony have many valuable magazines, Military stores and buildings. That the former especially should be left without a garrison is particularly inexpedient ; at a time when the agitation to establish a Maori King is rife, in its immediate neighbourhood, amongst the largest tribes in the Colony. To prevent therefore the necessity of a much larger expenditure for the future, and a state of affairs detrimental to the prosperity of the Colony,—consequently retarding its capability of ultimately providing for its own defence—Her Majesty's troops should be augmented to, at least, two thousand rank and file ; and one or two steam vessels of war be stationed on the New Zealand Coast. 1 The demand upon the mother country, consequent upon the Indian insurrection, would have prevented the New Zealand Ministry from calling the attention of the Imperial Authorities to this subject at the present time, were it possible to overlook that, (on a proportionate scale,) New Zealand might be involved in similar disasters, from the weakness of the Military Force. His Excellency's Ministers therefore feel that, at this junction, they would be guilty of a orave dereliction of duty, were they wot earnestly to solicit that an additional force should be stationed in the Colony ; and they especially trust that a steam vessel of war, if not more than one, may be placed at the disposal of the Governor of New Zealnnd. (Signed) E. W. Stafford. Downing Street, 14th April, 1858. Sir, —■ I have to acknowledge your Despatches No. 10G of the 26th December, and Nos. 5 and 6 of the 22nd and 23rd January last, in continuation of former reports on the state of affairs amongst the Native tribes, and relating in particular to the alarm excited by recent movements amon" , the Natives in the neighbourhood of Hawke's Bay. 2. I have no doubt that you will continue the exercise of that constant watchfulness which with judicious firmness and moderation on your part have, in the opinion of Her Majesty's Government so> materially contributed hitherto to preserve the peace of the Northern Island. *

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3. It would have afforded me personally much satisfaction if it were possible to accede to your wishes that a force of not less than 2,000 men, together with a war steamer, should be placed permanently at your disposal for this important purpose. But the demands on the Military resources of the Empire are such as to render it impossible at present to furnish such a force. Her Majesty's Government trust, and do rely on the exertions of the Colonists themselves, as well as on the spirit of cordiality and forbearance towards the Native Race, which it is to be hoped may continue to actuate them, for preventing, or if necessary, for aiding in keeping down any inclination to disturbance which may exist among the latter. 4. It has been determined by Her Majesty's Government to withdraw from New Zealand the 58th which had fallen considerably below its proper strength. But the 65th will be maintained at the full strength of 1000 men for the Service Companies, making an establishment of .1200 in order to allow 200 for the Depot Companies. 5. I have farther to inform you that Sir Michael Seymour has been desired to send a sloop of war from Hong Kong to Sydney as soon as circumstances will permit, for employment on the Coast of New Zealand. Her Majesty's sloop the " Sappho" is also on her way to the Australian Station, and the steam sloop " Cordelia" will proceed thither when relieved from certain duties which she is at present performing on the Indian Coast. I have, &c, (Signed,) Stanley. Governor Gore Browne, C. 8., &c, &c, &c.