FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE MILITARY DEFENCE OF NEW ZEALAND. (IN CONTINUATION OF PAPERS PRESENTED ON THE 23rd JUNE, 1858.)

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1860 Session I, A-06a

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FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE MILITARY DEFENCE OF NEW ZEALAND. (IN CONTINUATION OF PAPERS PRESENTED ON THE 23rd JUNE, 1858.)

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by command of his Excellency,

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SCHEDULE.

MEMORANDA AND CORRESPONDENCE IN NEW ZEALAND.

a 1C 2 PBOM WHOM. DATE. SUBJECT. C t ENROLLED PENSIONERS. Mr. Stafford to the Superintendents. Dec. 18, 1856 Requesting to know whether the Province would provide land and cottages for men who had been in the Military service at Home, should the Imperial Authorities be willing to send any such out to the Colony. 2 Mr. Stafford to the Superintendent of Auckland. Jan. 25, 1859 Referring to a Resolution of the Provincial Council of Auckland, resolving that steps be taken for procuring ten Companies of enrolled Pensioners to be sent out from England; requesting to know what measures the Superintendent proposed for their location and future settlement. The Superintendent to Mr. Stafford. Jan. 29, 1859 The Superinteadent, in answer, proposing to set apart suitable land as Special Settlements for them; and proposing, by means of a loan, to erect cottages for the Pensioners; with suggestions as to the best mode of selecting the Wen. s Mr. Stafford to Superintendent Mar. 14, 1860 Stating that the Imperial Authorities were not disposed to adopt the arrangements proposed by His Honor. GoTernor Browne to Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton. No. 17. Feb. 12, 1859 ROYAL ENGINEERS. Enclosing Letters and Memoranda suggesting the introduction into the Colony of an entire Company of Royal Engineers, and expressive of the willingness of the Colony to support the expense of such a Corps if available for Civil as well as Military Works. Six Enclosures. Governor Browne to Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton. MILITARY AND NAVAL. No. 61. July 27, 1859 Describing the state of the Defences of the Colony, and urging the despatch here of a Screw Steam Gun Boat. 7 Ditto to ditto. No. 63. Aug. 9, 1859 Transmitting correspondence between himself and the Colonel Commanding the Forces. Ditto to ditto. No. 64. Aug. 14, 1859 Expressing his views and opinions upon the subject of'the Military Defence of the Colony, and transmitting Letter from Col. Gold, strongly urging an increase of the Force under his Command. Aug. 12, 1859

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DESPATCHES FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

55 £ DATE. SUBJECT. si O No. 5. Jan. 17, 1860 MILITARY AND NAVAL DEFENCES. Transmitting correspondence with the Horse Guards and Admiralty severally, respecting the increase in strength of the 65th Regiment; the providing Guns for proposed Batteries in the Colony; and the Despatch of a Screw Steam Gun Boat to the Coasts of New Zealand. 10 Four Enclosures No. 1«. March 3, 1860 Three Enclosures Transmitting correspondence with the War Office with regard to the stoppage of the erection of the proposed Batteries, and slating that the application for Guns for those Batteries is regarded as virtually withdrawn. 11

MILITAEY DEFENCE. COPY OF A DESPATCH FROM MR. STAPFORD TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF AUCKLAND.* Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, December 18th, 1856. Sir,— As it is not improbable that Her Majesty's Imperial Government might be disposed, on certain conditions, to send out to New Zealand, Men who have been i n the Military Service of Great Britain, I have to request your Honor to inform this Government whether, in the event of any such persons being sent out at the Imperial expense, the Provincial Legislature of Auckland would pass the necessary measures for enabling them at once upon landing to settle upon allotments of land, and would provide suitable cottages for their use: it being understood that after a residence for a defined period, and having fulfilled certain conditions of Military Service, they should be entitled to receive Grants for these premises, and possibly to exercise at a fixed price a pre-emptive right over some additional land in some such mariner, and subject to such general conditions, as were required with respect to the New Zealand Fencible Force. Should the Legislature of Auckland be desirous of securing the location of such men, I shall feel obliged it your Honor would state the precise nature of the conditions under which it might be desired that it should be effected, also, whether the expense of introducing their wives and families will be borne by the Province in the event of the Home Government refusing to provide for it. I need scarcely point out that the presence of such a body as a permanent armed force available in time of war would be of eminent service, while the addition to the population and public expenditure, which would result from it, would give a considerable impetus to the trade, and in other ways promote the progress and importance of any particular Province in which it might be located. I have, &c, (Signed) E. W. Stafford. His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. (Extract from the Minutes of the Auckland Provincial Council of2bth February, 1858 J " That with a view to giving effect to the recommendation contained in the 3rd section of the Immigration Committee's Report with reference to the further introduction of a Pensioner Force, provision be made by this Council to enable His Honor the Superintendent to give such guarantee as may be required by the Governor to justify His Excellency's Government in making such arrangements as may be necessary with the Imperial Government for sending out to this Province ten Companies of Enrolled Pensioners." MR. STAFFORD TO SUPERINTENDENT OF AUCKLAND. Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, 25th January, 1859. Sir,— I have to address your Honor on the subject of a Resolution, adopted by the Auckland Provincial Council on the 2nth February, 1858, (the original of which you left in this Office for the consideration of the Government, and which is now returned) respecting a proposed introduction of ten Companies of Enrolled Pensioners. The purport of that Resolution is, that provision should be made by the Council to enable your Honor to give such guarantee as may be required by the Governor to justify arrangements being made with the Imperial Government for sending out those Companies. I am not aware whether such provision has ever been made; but it is necessary, in order to enable this Government to enter into negotiations with the Imperial Government with a probability of practical effect, that some definite terms should be proposed on the part of the Auckland Province, and i would accordingly feel obliged by your Honor's views on the following points : — Judging from the course adopted by the Imperial Government on other questions connected with the Colony, involving Military expenses, and remembering the cost incurred by them on account of the Pensioners already sent out to New Zealand, it is almost certain that the whole cost of this proposed Pensioner Immigration will have to be borne by the Province, I therefore wish to know, —

( in in t.AR.

• Letter of the same tenor sent to the Superintendents of the several Provinces.

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First—Whether, assuming that the old system is to bo tried again, the Province is prepared to provide the whole cost, including , the transport of these Pensioners and their families, and their location on land with cottages thereon during service in the Province, together with the other advantages to which Officers and Men were formerly entitled, —with such modifications in the former terms as may be considered necessary, the nature and extent of which I have to request you to be good enough to point out. Secondly—lf the Imperial Government should consent to pay the whole or any portion of the money cost of carrying out this proposal, what terms, as to the acquisition of laud the Provincial Government is prepared to hold out to the Pensioners concerned. Having regard to all the questions involved it would appear more likely to prove economical and advantageous to the interests of the Province if arrangements could be made, as probably they might be, for inducing Militia Regiments at Home to volunteer for service in this Province, on the receipt of certain advantages in the occupation of land in the first instance, and in its ultimate acquisition free of cost after a short period. Men of this class, mostly in the prime of life, aecompauied by their families, would no doubt be willing to volunteer upon terms of trifling cost to the Province, aud would be likely to become very valuable settlers, it being understood that the service required from them should be similar to that for whioh they had been enrolled at home, and that the Force was not to supersede but to supplement the regular Troops of the line as occasion might require. Should your Honor be disposed, on a re-consideration of the subject, to advocate the introduction of either of the above-mentioned classes of Military Immigrants, I would be obliged if the wishes of the Provincial Government were stated in detail, with a view to tho necessary action in the matter. I have, &c, (Signed) E. W, Stafvoud. His Honor the Superintendent of Auckland. SUPERINTENDENT OF AUCKLAND TO COLONIAL SKCRETARY. Superintendent's Office, Auckland, 29th January, 1859. Sir,— I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 25th instant, relative to a resolution passed by the Provincial Council on the subject of the introduction into the Province of ten companies of Enrolled Pensioners (copy of which resolution I herewith enclose), and requesting me to inform you of the views of the Provincial Government as to whether the Province will be prepared to pay the cost of the transport and location of these Pensioners, and secondly, in the event of the Imperial Government paying the whole or part of the cost of transport, what terms as to the acquisition of land, the Provincial Government is prepared to hold out to such Pensioners. With regard to the first question, I have to inform you that the Provincial Government is not enabled to guarantee any portion of the cost of transport of the Pensioners referred to, but will be prepared to set apart suitable land, under the Sppcial Settlement clauses of the " Auckland Waste Lands Act, 1858," in such position throughout the Province as may be considered the most eligible for the establishment of villages, and will otherwise assist in providing, out of such funds as the Provincial Council may vote for that purpose, suitable cottages for their accommodation upon their arrival. In answer to the second question, I beg to state I accord with you in opinion that the class of Military Immigrants best adapted for the requirements of this Province would be such as might be collected from the Militia Regiments of the Mother-Country who would be willing to volunteer for service in the Province of Auckland, with a view of obtaining their discharge and settling with their families in the Province on the expiry of their term of service. Should the proposition be favourably entertained and practical effect be given to it, I would venture to suggest that in the choice of volunteers for service here, they should be taken as nearly as possible in equal proportions from regiments belonging to each kingdom, in preference to an entire corps being selected which had been raised in any particular district, and that it should also be a stipulation that each man should produce a certificate of good character, be married, and not over 40 years of age. As I have already stated, in the case of Pensioners, the Provincial Government has no funds at its disposal for paying any portion of the cost of transport to this Colony, but it is in a position, under the Immigration clauses of the " Waste Lands Act," to give to the volunteers advantages in the acquisition of land, by which each man would be entitled to forty acres, in lieu of the cost of passage, and, under the Naval and Military clauses of that 'Act, upon his discharge from the service, for the purpose of settling in the Province, to an additional grant of land according to his rank. As it is one of the principal objects in view by the Provincial Government in proposing to provide for the introduction of Military Immigrants, that the protection from any possible Native outrage may be secured to the numerous Settlements which are likely to be spread over the Province at too great a distance from the Military Garrison to obtain from the regular troops such prompt aid as might be required, it would be necessary that proper arrangements should be made before the arrival of the Regiment, so as to have them located in bodies of not less than a Company each, in different parts of the Province upon land to be set apart for that purpose under the Special Settlement clauses of the "Auckland Waste Lands Act," the selection of land to be allotted to each rran to be left to the determination of the Officer commanding. to.

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The land to be set apart for the purpose would bo laid out iv villages and in small farms in the vicinity of such villages; the villages would be divided into acre allotments; each man would be entitled to select one village allotment, and the remainder of his land out of the small farms in the vicinity, while each member of his family above eighteen years of age would be entitled to a Land Order for selecting forty acres, and each member over five years of age and under eighteen to a similar order for twenty acres, under the conditions of the Immigration clauses of the Waste Lands Act. The Regiment would be bound to serve under such Regulations as the Imperial Government may please to make; and the Officers and Men, upon retirement or discharge, would be entitled to the privileges granted under the Act before mentioned to Naval and Military Settleri, viz., to Land Orders after the following rates—Commissioned Officers, 400 acres; Non-commissioned Officers, 80 acres; Privates, CO acres. With regard to due provision being made for the accommodation of the men and their families, I have further to add, that if power can be obtained to enable the Provincial Government to borrow a sufficient sura of money, it will undertake to build the requisite quarters for the Officers in command of the companies, and for each man a cottage with two rooms upon his acre allotment, so as to be ready for occupation upon the arrival of the force; the cost to be refunded by instalments or otherwise within five years from the date of their location. Should the necessary power to borrow money not be obtained, the Government will provide barrack accommodation for a sufficient length of time to enable the men to build cottages for themselves. Should Her Majesty's Government in this Colony obtain the consent of the Imperial Government to any arrangement such as I have described, whereby an effective Military force in addition to the Queen's troops already located in this Province could be introduced; and should it be determined to send out men under conditions such as I have proposed, it would be desirable that I should be informed of such determination at as early a period as possible, so that I may be enabled to have the requisite quantity of land set apart and surveyed, and other preparations for their reception completed, prior to the arrival of the immigrants. I have, &c, &c, (Signed) J. Williamson, Superintendent. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Auckland. MB. BTAFFOBD TO SUPERINTENDENT OF AUCKLAND. Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, 14th March, 1860. SlE,— With reference to your Honor's letter of the 29th January, 1859, relative to a Resolution of the Auckland Provincial Council, on the subject of the introduction into the Province of Auckland of Enrolled Pensioners, I have the honor to inform you that the subject has beeu brought under the notice of the Imperial Authorities, but that the latter do not hold out any encouragement that the arrangements proposed by your Honor will be adopted. I have, &c, &c, (Signed) E. W. Stafford. His Honor the Superintendent, Auckland. COPY OF A DESPATCH FROM GOVERNOR GORE BROWNE, C. 8., TO THE RIGHT HON. SIR E. B. LTTTON, BART. Government House, Auckland, New Zealand, 12th February, 1859. Sir,— At the request of my Responsible Advisers, I have the honor to forward certain documents from Colonel Wynyard, lately in command of the Troops in New Zealand, and Colonel Mould, the Commanding Royal Engineer. These Officers suggest that the Colony of Xew Zealand should support an entire Company of the Royal Engineers at their own expense. The details of the proposed scheme will be found in Colonel Mould's Memoranda. It is recommended by Colonel Wynyard, and adopted by my Responsible Advisers, who request me to inform Her Majesty's Government " that the Colonial Government will defray the expense of an entire Company of the Royal Engineers, on the scale specified in the Memoranda of Colonel Mould, of 30th July, and 15th October, 1858." I beg to recommend this proposal to your favourable consideration. The employment of a Company of the Royal Engineers would be of incalculable advantage to the Colony either in peace or war, and the measure would bo one of economy. I entirely coincide with Colonel Mould's remarks in reference to the cost of transport. If that be paid for out of Colonial funds, the Settlers would think themselves hardly treated if Her Majesty's Government should find it necessary to remove the men on short notice or after short service.

(No. 17.) Ml UTAH T No. 1. Col Wynyard, C.8., 31st July, Nos. 2 & 3. Col. Mould. R.E. ,'joth July aad Hth Oct., 1818.

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If on the othei hand this expense be paid by Her Majesty's Government, and the Colonial funds are not burdened until the arrival of the men in the Colony, no objection could possibly be raised. The Imperial Government would then have at its disposal a certain number of men available for general service, maintained entirely by the Colony of New Zealand, until they were required more urgently elsewhere. I have, &c, (Signed) T. Gore Browne. COLONEL WYNYARD, C.8., TO SOVERNOR GORE BIIOWNE, C.B. Auckland, 31st July, 1858. ( Sir,— In submitting the enclosed Memorandum, just placed in my hands, for the consideration of ! Tour Excellency, I do not see that it requires any observation whatever on my part in support of a a suggestion so obviously advantageous to the Colony. The only point I conceive it right to allude to, is the desirability of bearing in mind the propriety of the men so employed being under the command of their own Officers, and further that all the Public Works should be under the special direction of the Officer Commanding that branch of the Sprvice in this Command, or at all events of that Corps, who from his position and rank could equally protect the interest of the Imperial as well as the Colonial Government, and at the same time watch over the discipline and well -beinjj of the men under his more immediate control. I have, &c, (Signed) E. H. Wynyard, His Excellency the Governor, Colonel Commanding the Forces in New Zealand. &c, &c, &c, New Zealand. MEMORANDUM BY COL. MOULD, R.E. Auckland, 30th July, 1858. It is submitted for the consideration of His Excellency the Governor that it would be a desirable < measurefor the Colony of New Zealand to support an entire Company of Royal Engineers at their own expense, as a useful addition to the Military Force which it may be proposed by the Imperial Government to retain in the Colony. In time of war such a body would be extremely valuable, indeed the want of a few trained men in the operations carried on in the North of New Zealand, was severely felt, and aid such as would have been afforded by them would doubtless have saved many valuable lives. In times of peace their services would be equally valuable not only for the purpose of executing such works, and repairs, as may be required to maintain Barrack Accommodation for the Troops, the cost of which is henceforth to be borne by the Colony, but also in performing Civil Works for the Governments, both General and Provincial, of the Colony. The 6th Company of Royal Engineers now in New Zealand, is reduced to a small number, and it will probably in a short time be still further diminished in number by the discharge of men who wil have served eight years in the Colony, at the end of which period it has been held out to the men that they would be allowed to retire from the Service for the purpose of settling in the Colony; thus the number of Military Artificers at the disposal of the Royal Engineer Department will be quite insufficient to execute the Military Works ; and Civil Labour, at high rates, from 11s. to 15s. a day, according to trade, must necessarily be resorted to, adding most materially to the cost of the several works and repairs performed. The subsistence (including a probable amount of good conduct pay) of a Company of Royal Engineers consisting of Five Sergeants, Ninety-three Rank and File, and Two Buglers, One Hundred in all, would be about £2GBO a-year, the cost of clothing about £395, and of contingencies, allowances, &c, about £05 : making a total of say £3,150 a-year. Besides that there would be a working pay of 9d. to Is. per diem for each man when actually employed, thus presuming that four-fifths of the whole number were employed at the highest rate during the whole year, that is to say 80 men a-day for 312 days, the outlay for working pay would be say £1,250 a year. Thi3 added to the amount of subsistence would make a total of £4,400 a-year for the support of a Company of the strength named. Now supposing that the Colonial Government should assign a sum of £5000 a-year for the maintenance of existing- Barracks and the construction of such additions as may be required, and that Military labour was not available, the cost of Civil Labour would absorb at least two-fifths of the above, say £2000 a-year ; but supposing the services of the Royal Engineers were available, one-fifth of a Company (20 men) employed during the whole year at a cost of say £900 would execute all the Military Works, effecting a direct saving on that head alone of say £1,100 a-year, leaving three-fifths of the Company (for it is presumed that about one-fifth will be at all times absent from sickness, employment, on fatigue duties, or from other causes) available for Civil Works, which would be executed with a corresponding saving.

(No. 1778.) (Enclosure,) 30th July. 1858.

(Enclosure.)

£ s. d. I,U*> 0 l> :;'>.-, (i 0 69 0 ii £3,140 0 0 £ s. d, 3,15(1 0 0 1,360 0 U £4,400 o 0

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It is not presumed that Works carried on by the General Government would absorb the whole of the labour surplu3 after providing for the Military Works, they could therefore be employed on the Public Works executed by the Provinces, the Authorities of which would doubtless willingly accept the services of the Corps, (some of whom have heretofore been employed with advantage on similar Works), and reimburse to the General Government a part of the expense of the Company proportionate to the numbers employed by them. Amongst the Works for which the Corps would be especially useful, indeed necessary, would be Defensive Works for the Ports and Harbours of the Colony which with the exception of the armaments are to be provided at the expense of the Colony. Lighthouses with their adjuncts might also be executed by them, as also General Central Penal Establishments, General Lunatic Asylums, and other Works of necessity and improvement undertaken by the General Government. Further, if a Trigonometrical Survey of the Colony should be undertaken with the aid of the "•personnel , and " materieV , at the disposal of the Secretary of State for War, which course has been already proposed and indeed lately recommended for adoption by that Official, a portion of the Company might be employed on that duty in aid of the scientific observers of the Corps who would be sent out from England with the Instruments for conducting it. It would, of course, be an understanding that the Company though paid by the Colony would be considered as an integral part of the Imperial Force, under the orders of the General, or other Officer Commanding, and their own Officers, but nevertheless, except in case of war, they would be at all times available for the service of the Colonial Government at the rates of working pay sanctioned by the Queen's Warrants, except under special circumstances of exposure, or arduous duty, such as a Survey, or employment in isolated situations, without suitable habitations. If war should unhappily break out, the Compar.y of Royal Engineers would form part of the force employed in the operations, and would necessarily be withdrawn for the time from the Civil Service of the Colony, and of course during that time would be maintained by the Imperial Government. It is considered that the above proposition, if accepted, would be beneficial both to the Colony, and Mother Country ; the former, would in time of peace obtain by so much the moral force of the number of men of which the Company would consist in addition to the Troops that would be maintained by the Mother Country, and the further benefit of a cheaper execution of their Public Works, besides a small amount of revenue from the Customs' duties on articles consumed by the men ; and the Imperial Government in case of war, would have on the spot a highly useful trained body for immediate operations, which at other times would be maintained without cost to them. The employment of the Force would not improperly affect the position of the Civilian, for labour both skilled and unskilled is comparatively scarce, and constant applications are made for the aid of Military labour, in consequence of this scarcity, which necessarily raises the rates for Civilian labour to the grievous prejudice especially of new Settlers whose expenses in locating themselves, and in their subsequent operations are excessively heavy. On the contrary the employment of these men would by so much set free a certain amount of labour towards opening up the country, rendering it more accessible, and towards assisting the struggling farmer ; besides the savings effected in the execution of Public Works performed by them, would admit of a more rapid extension of them with the limited means at the disposal of the Government. With regard to the men themselves (the Royal Engineers) if the inducement were held out to them that they would have a free discharge, if well conducted, at the expiration of eight years service in the Colony, with a small grant of land, in proportion to their rank, on their discharge, doubtless volunteers would be readily obtained, from whom a selection of good tradesmen should be made. Some of every trade, including Plumbers, would be required, the largest proportion being of course Carpenters, Bricklayers, and Masons. Some labourers classed as Miners, would be necessary, but of these there should not be a large proportion. (Signed) Thos. R. Mould, Colonel Commanding Royal Engineer, New Zealand. COPY OF A MINUTE BY MR. STAFFORD. It is requested that the Colonel Commanding Royal Engineer may further explain to the Colonial Secretary, the proposal conveyed in this communication, as many advantages to the Colony would appear likely to result from a compliance with it. (Signed) E. W. Stafford. COLONEL WYNWARD, C.8., TO GOVERNOR GORE BROWNE C.B. Auckland, 18th October, 1858. Sir,— In reference to the Minute of the Honorable the Colonial Secretary on my Letter to your Excellency of the 31st July last, No. 1778 (herewith returned) relative to the support, by the Colony, of

(No. 1910.)

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a Company of Royal Engineers, I have the honor to enclose for your information, copy of additional -ingestions, received from the Commanding Royal Engineer. I have, &c., (Signed) R. 11. Wynyard, His Excellency the Governor, Colonel Commanding in New Zealand. &c., &c, &c., New Zealand. COLONEL MOULD R.E., TO MAJOR OF BRIGADE. Royal Engineer Office, Auckland, 15th October, 1858. Silt,— I have the honor to acquaint you, for the information of the Colonel Commanding the Forces, that no other matter at present occurs to me to add to my original Memorandum relative to the support by the Colony of a Company of Royal Engineers, except to state that in the calculations of the annual expense, I omitted to add the probable value of rations, which would amount, in round numbers, to £1,000 a year if they were granted free, or to about one-half that amount (say £500) if the men were placed under the usual stoppages; still, notwithstanding that further charge, I am decidedly of opinion that the Colony would reap pecuniary as well as other advantages, at least equivalent to the whole outlay. Certain it is that without them, the maintenance of Barracks alone would cost the Colony considerably more than if their services were available. Barrack accommodation would, as a matter of course, be provided by the Colony, to whom the expenses under this head for the whole Force in the command are chargeable, no special addition to the estimate of the cost of the Company is therefore necessary for this purpose. The question of the cost of the transport of the Company from England is one which should be arranged between the Imperial Authorities and the Colonial Government, but I would observe that it appears to me that the charge might fairly be borne by the Imperial Government, who would have the advantage of having on the spot ready for immediate service a useful and necessary addition to the Military Force in case of disturbances in the Colony; whereas if the Colony bore the expense, and supposing a case of extreme urgency should necessitate the removal of the Company elsewhere before the Colony had obtained such services from them as would compensate for their outlay for this purpose, there would be pro tanto a clear loss to them by the transaction. I have, &c, (Signed) Thos. R. Mould, Colonel Commanding Royal Engineer. The Major of Brigade, &c, &c, &c, Auckland. MINUTE BY MR. STAFFORD. January 19th, 1859. Upon a consideration of the whole question, His Excellency's Ministers advise, that the Imperial Government be informed that the Colonial Government will defray the expense of an entire Company of Royal Engineers, on the scale specified in the Memoranda of Colonel Mould ot the 30th July and 15th October, 1858; and that advantage be taken of the visit to England of the Colonial Secretary Mr. Stafford to bring this subject before the notice of the respective Imperial Authorities. (Signed) E. W. Stafford. COPY OF A DESPATCH FROM GOVERNOR GORE BROWNE, C.8., TO THE RIGHT HON. SIR E. B. LYTTON, BART. Government House, Auckland, New Zealand, 27th July, 1859. Sir,— Immediately on the receipt of your Circular Despatch marked " Secret," dated 6th May last, l I held a consultation with the Officer Commanding the Troops, the Commanding Royal Engineer, and . the Senior Officer of Her Majesty's Navy, present in New Zealand. 2. I enclose separate statements made by these Officers, together with a Memorandum which < embodies our united opinions. This Memorandum I forwarded to my Responsible Advisers, who» replied to it in the Minute marked No. 6. \

J 15th Oct., 1858.

V 155/

(No. 61.) Military and Natal.

No. 3. Col. Gold, Commanding the Eorccs, 23rd July, 1859.

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Nos. 3 & 4. Col, Mould, RE Estimates and Memo. No, 5. Comdr. Campior R.N., H.M.S. ••Elk.'-ZlstJuly, 1859. NoTT. Memo, by the Governor, 25th July, 1899. No. 6. Ministers, 26th July, 1859.

3. The substance of these documents is as follows :—The Southern Ports of New Zealand are ' absolutely without defence; the works at Auckland are very insufficient; there are not Guns enough to arm them; and none are of larger calibre than 32 pounders. 4. The whole subject has been brought before Her Majesty's Government at intervals commenin cinq long before my arrival in the Colony, and was finally decided in Mr. Labouchere's Despatch No. y, 73, dated 3rd September, 1856. This Despatch was communicated to my Advisers on the 31st December of the same year, but they did not then think it necessary to act upon it. 5. You will perceive by their Memoranda, that they are now prepared to incur the expense recommended by the Commanding Royal Engineer for putting the Colony in a position to defend itself against any but a serious attack by a large force. 6. For this purpose the Commanding Royal Engineer has been instructed to commence repairs and construction of Batteries without delay, and I have to request that the proper armament for these - batteries may, in accordance with Ihe Despatch above indicated, be sent out as soon as possible to the places named by that Officer (vide enclosure No. 4, page 6.) 7. In reference to a letter from Mr. Osborne to Mr. Merivale, dated 24th January, 1857, enclosed in your Despatch No. 26, of sth May, 1859, I beg to observe that the Colony of New Zealand would be quite unable to provide, arm, and man a gun-boat for local defence, as indicated in that letter; but my Advisers are prepared to incur the whole expense of a gun-boat of the first class, belonging to the Royal Navy, while serving in the waters of this Colony. 8. I have therefore the honor to request that you will be good enough to move the Lords of the the Admiralty to send out a gun-boat of the first class, as indicated in the letter of Commander Campion (Enclosure No. 5) with as little delay as possible, and it would be most advantageous if she could be armed with one of the new Guns. 9. I attach the greatest importance to this species of defence, as being peculiarly adapted for New Zealand. Such a vessel, drawing eight feet when deep, could enter all the rivers and harbours on the Coast, and would afford more protection to the settlers than a large force stationed in any particular place. I therefore venture to press this request more earnestly on your consideration ; and as the Colony will bear the whole expense, I trust it may not be refused. 10. It should be of course understood that the Officer commanding such a vessel would be under the orders of the Commodore, but that she should not be removed from New Zealand unless her services were absolutely required for more important matters than settling differences or performing minor duties elsewhere; that the Commander should be in the same relation to the Governor that the Commander of the Land Forces is, viz.—that he should perform services indicated to him, if not in opposition to his instructions, or contrary to his professional opinion of what ought to be done; and that iv case of a difference of opinion, the final decision would rest with the Admiralty. I have, &c, (Signed) T. Gore Browne. The Right Hon. Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart. COPY OF A DESPATCH FROM GOVERNOR GOEE BROWNE, C.8., TO THE RIGHT HON. SIR E. B. LYTTON, BART. Government House, Auckland, New Zealand, 9th August, 1859. Sir, — I have the honor to forward copy of a Letter which I have addressed to the Officer Commanding i the Troops, and his reply, by which you will perceive that every preparation has been made which the circumstances admit of. The deficiency of Guns in the Colony confines the means of resistance within very narrow limits. I have, &c, (Signed) T. Gore Browne. The Right Hon. Sir E. B. Lytton, Bart. COPY OF A DESPATCH FROM GOVERNOR GORE BROWNE, C.8., TO THE RIGHT HON. SIR E. B. LYTTON, BART. Government House, Auckland, N.Z. 14th August, 1859. Sir,— I have the honor to forward copy of a Letter from Colonel Gold, the Officer Commanding the Forces in New Zealand, in which he makes an urgent appeal to His Royal Highness the Commander-in-Chief for an increase to the Force under his Command.

(No. 63.) Military. The Governor to Col. Gold, 2nd August, 1859. Col. Gold to the Governor, sth August, 1869,

(No. 64.) Military , ,

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2. Learning by your Despatches No. 44 of lGth December, 1858, and No. 4 of 17th January. 1559, that you have been good enough to press the question on both the Naval and Military Departments, I fear that my reverting to it again, after my having expressed my opinion so often and so strongly, may appear like want of respect to Her Majesty's Government; but I cannot even by silence lead you to suppose that I consider the Force stationed in New Zealand sufficient to maintain the peace of the Colony if threatened either from within or without. 3. I observe by a Letter from Mr. Romaine, dated Admiralty, 7th December, 1858, that Sir M. Seymour was desired to send the ' Niger,' Steam Frigate, to Sydney, and that on her arrival she would be employed in New Zealand. I have, however, heard nothing of the ' Niger,' and am reminded that similar assurances of Naval Protection have been repeated more than once since 1854. 4. The Gsth Regiment, as will be seen by the return in Colonel Gold's Letter, consists of 924 Rank and File fit for duty, spread over the Colony. Of these 50 Rank and File are proposed for discharge, and a detachment of GO Rank and File are expected to replace them. Thus the strength of the Military Force is much below even the promised Establishment, and some time niust elapse before it could be completed. 5. My Despatch No. 61 of 27th July last will indicate the measures proposed to be adopted in the event of an attack from a Foreign Enemy. While desiring to make every preparation which can be made against a possible contingency, I am well aware that the security of this and other Colonies must depend on the general superiority of Her Majesty's Fleet to those of other Powers, and that it is only against an unexpected attack by a small Force that any defence by this Colony could be made even at Auckland. 6. The internal defence of the Country against the Natives is, however, a different question. I cannot but see with some uneasiness the continuance of the movement in favour of a Maori KiDg. With the means at my disposal nothing can be done, or could ever have been done, to arrest it; nor do I apprehend any immediate danger from it. Should any unfortunate circumstance lead to a collision, the union of a large body of Natives under a single Chief, with their central position and the fastnesses of the Country, would give them a great advantage. 7. There are seldom wanting in New Zealand disaffected Europeans who, for wilful purposes, desire to foment discord between the two races; and by the last Mail from Wellington I learn that a deserter and others have been disturbing the minds of the Natives in that neighbourhood and exciting them to arms, that they were purchasing arms extensively ami being drilled, and that they had used menaces which had alarmed both the Settlers and the Civil Authorities. I trust these fears will prove exaggerated, and that the evil influence has not spread beyond the district. If, however, blood were once shed by the Europeans, even in self-defence, it would be impossible to foresee the consequences. Some unprotected family would probably be murdered in revenge : the murderers would find countenance and support in their tribe, and the flames of war—once kindled—would extend throughout the Island S. There can be no doubt of the ultimate success of Her Majesty's Arms in any contact with the Native race ; but the consequences to the scattered European population of this Colony, in even a successful conflict, could not fail to be ruinous and distressing in the extreme ; and to prevent such a calamity the protecting Force should be of strength sufficient to make it apparent to the Natives that successful opposition is impossible. 9. In my Despatch No. 61 (above referred to) I informed you that my Responsible Advisers are willing to pay the whole expense of a Steam Gun Boat of the first Class, which they trust will be kept in these waters in addition to the Steam Frigate promised by the Right Honorable the Lords of the Admiralty. 10. In conclusion, I beg to apologize for again intruding my views and opinions upon you thu3 strongly, but I should betray the confidence reposed in me, if by my silence you were led to suppose that I consider the Colony adequately protected. I have, &c., (Signed) T. Goee Browne. The Right Honorable Sir E. Bulwer Lytton, Bart., &c, &c, &c. COLONEL GOLD TO GOVERNOR GORE BROWNE, C.B. Auckland, 12th August, 1859. Sir,— I have the honor to enclose for your Excellency's information a copy of a Letter I have thought I it my duty to address to the Military Secretary, Horse Guards, being an earnest appeal to His Royal Highness, the General Commanding-in-Chief, for a reinforcement of 1 Company o/ Royal Artillery, and 1 Battalion of Infantry, for the protection of New Zealand from a Foreign Foe, or Native aggression, and I trust your Excellency will be pleased to render the same every support in your power, as the times and circumstances are much changed since the period when it was thought proper to withdraw the 58th Regiment from this Colony.

(No. 2233.) llth Aug., 1859. No. 2232.

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I beg to enclose the latest state of the strength of the Forces in New Zealand. I have. &c, (Signed) C. E. Gold, Colonel Commanding the Forces. His Excellency the Governor, &c, &c, &c, New Zealand. COPY OF A DESPATCH FROM THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO GOVERNOR GORE BROWNE, C.B. Downing Street, 17th January, 1860. Sir,— r , I have to acknowledge your Despatches of the numbers and dates noted in the margin, upon the subject of the Defences of New Zealand. '' As regards the application of the Officer Commanding the Troops, for an increase of Force under ! his Command, contained in your Despatch, No. 64, of the 14th August, I transmit to you the copy ' of a letter from the War Office, from which you will learn that, though Mr. Secretary Herbert is 7 unable to accede to' Lieutenant-Colonel Gold's application for a Company of Artillery aud an additional Battalion of Infantry, it was his intention to take steps for raising the 65th Regiment to its full strength of 1200 Rank and File. By a subsequent Letter from the War Office, of which I annex a copy, you will perceive that in pursuance of J\lr. Herbert's intention, 167 men will be immediately sent to the Colony. That portion of your Despatch, No. 61, of the 27th of July, which relates to the supply of Guns, &c, for arming the Batteries, is still under the consideration of the War Office, and will form the subject of a further communication. Your Despatch, No. 64, of the 14th of August, also urged the want of additional Naval protection. The Letter which I caused to be addressed to the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, of which I ' enclose a copy, will put you in possession of my views upon this subject, and the answer, of which I also forward a copy, conveys the intimation that my suggestion with regard to the employment of a Gun Boat on the shores of New Zealand, will be taken into consideration, with a view to a complianco therewith at an early period. I have, &c, (Signed) Newcastle. Governor Gore Browne, C.8., &c, &c, &c, New Zealand. SIR E. LUGARD TO MR. MERIVALE. War Office, 22nd December, 1859. Sir,— I am directed by Mr. Secretary Herbert to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of the 12th instant, and its enclosure, relative to an application from the Officer Commanding the Troops in New Zealand for an increase to the Forces under his Command. In reply, lam to request that you will inform the Duke of Newcastle that although Mr. Herbert cannot accede to Colonel Gold's application for a Company of Artillery, and another Battalion of Infantry, yet that the attention of Ilis Royal Highness the General Commanding-in-Chief has been drawn to the fact that the 05th Regiment now doing duty in New Zealand, is considerably below the strength at which it was decided that it should for the present be maintained, viz., 1200 rank aud file. Mr. Herbert has desired that steps should at once be taken for raising- the Regiment to the strength agreed upon. I have, &c, (Signed) Edward Lugard. 11. Merivale, Esq., C.8., &c, &c, &c. ■ SIR E. LUGARD TO MR. MERIVALE. War Office, Cth January, 1860. Sib,— With reference to my Letter of the 22nd ultimo, I am directed by Mr. Secretary Herbert to request that you will inform the Duke of Newcastle that a communication has been received from the Military Secretary to His Royal Highness the General Commanding-in-Chief, stating that every

(No. 5.) No. 61. July 27, IBM. No. 63. Aug. 9, 1&39. No. 64, AugTu, 1859. 22nd Dec., 185!). lilh Jan., 1860.

12lh Dec., 1859. ]3th Dec, 1859.

(Enclosure,)

■ i;rc,)

A—No. 6a,

exertion has been made to raise the 65th Regiment to 1200 men, the strength fixed upon for the Force to be maintained in New Zealand, and that a Draft of 167 men will shortly be despatched to the Colony. I have, &c, (Signed) Edwaed Lugabd. H. Merivale, Esq., C.8., &c, &c, &c. MR. MBRIVALE TO THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY. Downing Street, 12th December, 1859. Sir,— With reference to the correspondence noted in the margin, I am directed by the Duke of' Newcastle to transmit to you for the consideration of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty copies of two Despatches from the Governor of New Zealand, upon the subject of the Defeeces of the Colony, ■ including an urgent application for a Steam Gun Boat of the Class described by Commander Campion i in his Letter of the 21st July. ' The Duke of Newcastle is prepared to decline the propoeal made by the Government of New • Zealand to provide for the expense of such a vessel from the Colonial Treasury, (a proposal evidently ■ suggested by the Admiralty Letter of January, 1857, referred to by the Governor) believing as he does, that so rigid an appropriation of a Queen's Ship to the service of a particular Colony, is open to serious ; objection. But at the same time he would call their Lordships' attention to the conviction entertained by the Governor and other Authorities of New Zealand, that the presence of a Gun Boat capable of entering the harbours and conveying small bodies of Troops to any point upon the coast, would, at the present time, materially lessen the danger of Native disturbances, as well as the amount of Military Force necessary for the internal safety of the Colony. I am, &c, (Signed) H. Merivale. The Secretary to the Admiralty. MR. ROMAINE TO MR. MERIVALE. Admiralty, 13th December, 1859. Sir, — Having laid before my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty your Letter of the 12th instant, with the enclosures from the Governor of New Zealand, respecting the Defences of the Colony, I am commanded by my Lords to acquaint you, for the information of the Duke of Newcastle, that His Grace's wishes as regards the employment of a Gun Boat on the shores of New Zealand will ba taken into consideration, with the view to a compliance therewith, at an early period. I am, &c, (Signed) W. G. Romaine. H. Merivale, Esq., C.8., &c, &c, &c. COPY OF A DESPATCH FROM THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO GOVERNOR GORE BROWNE, C.B. Downing Street, 3rd March, 1860. With reference to that part of my Despatch No. 5 of the 17th of January last, in which you ] were informed that the question of supplying Guns, &c, for arming the Batteries in New Zealand was ( under the consideration of the Secretary for War, I enclose for your information copies of the corres- ; pondence which has since passed upon the subject between this Office and the War Department. You will see that as your Responsible Advisers had determined, as reported in your Despatch ' No. 89, of the 18th of October, no longer to incur the responsibility of defraying the cost of erecting military Defences not authorised by the General Assembly, Mr. Secretary Herbert considers that the application which has been made by your Government for Guns for the contemplated Batteries is virtually withdrawn. I have, &c, (Signed) Newcastle. Governor Gore Browne, 0.8., &c, &c, &c.

(Enclosure,) Colonial Office, !3th Nov., ll«i. Admiralty, Kith Nov., lira. Colonial Office, 6th Dec., IMB. Admiralty, 7th. Dec, 18J8. No. 61. 20 July 1659, N0764. 4 Aug., mat.

(Enclosure.)

(No. 16.) W. 0., 7th Jan., 1860. C7o. _ to W. l>., W. 0.,2:' laoo.

11

12

SIR B. LUGARD TO ME. MKRIVALE. War Office, 7th January, 1860. Sir,— I am directed by Mr. Secretary Herbert to acknowledge the receipt of your Letter of the 12th ultimo, and its enclosed requisition from the Colony of New Zealand for the grant of certain Guns . of the number and calibre specified in the margin. In reply, lam to request that you will inform the Duke of Newcastle that Mr. Herbert would gladly have complied with the wish of the Colony, but that the f!8-pounder and 32-pounder Guns cannot be supplied from store, and would have to be purchased. The 24-pounder Guns can be furnished and shall be supplied, should His Grace see fit, but Mr. Herbert thinks that only such a number of Guns should be presented as the Colony can raise men sufficient to man. I have, &c, H. Merivale, Esq., (Signed) E. Lugard. &c, &c, &c. MB. MERIVALE TO THE UNDER SECRETARY FOR WAR. Downing Stieaf, 3rd February, 1860. Sir,— I have laid before the Duke of Newcastle your Letter of the 7th ultimo, relative to the application which was made by the Government of New Zealand for Guns for the Armament of the Port of Auckland. His Grace desires me to enclose, in reference to this subject, the copy of a Despatch received from the Governor by the December Mail stating that the New Zealand Government had decided to erect a Battery at the mouth of Auckland Harbour. Since the arrival of that Despatch, however, a further one has been received of which I am to annex a copy, by which it will be seen that, in consequence of the pacific news from Europe, the Governor's Responsible Advisers had determined no longer to incur the responsibility of defraying the cost of erecting Military Defences not authorised by the General Assembly. lam to request that you will move Mr. Secretary Herbert to state what Instructions he would suggest should be sent to the Colony in answer to those Desnatches. I have, &c, The Under Secretary of State for War, (Signed) H. Merivale. &c, &c, &c. SIX E. LUGARD TO MR. MERIVALE. War Office, 22nd February, 1860. Sir,— I have laid before the Secretary of State for War your Letter of the 3rd instant, together with its enclosures, from the Governor of New Zealand, from which it appears that his Advisers in the present state of affairs decline to take upon themselves the responsibility of proceeding with Works of Defence at Auckland previously agreed upon, until the question shall have been submitted for the sanction of the General Assembly. In reply to your enquiry what Instructions Mr. Sidney Herbert would suggest should be sent to the Governor in reference to these Despatches, I am to request that you will acquaint the Duke of Newcastle that Mr. Herbert has no observations to offer on the subject beyond that the recent application to Her Majesty's Government for Guns for the armament of these Defences is one which under present circumstances, it would be superfluous to comply with, and may be regarded as withdrawn. I have, &c, 11. Merivale, Esq., (Signed) Edward Luoakd. &c, &c, &c.

(Enclosure.) Ouns. Prs, Cwt. ■2J (!8 95 SH 32 58 \t 24 50

(Enclosure,)

No. 73. Sept. ], 1859.

No. 89. Oct. 18, 1859;

(Enclosure,)