PAPERS RELATIVE TO IMPERIAL TROOPS IN NEW ZEALAND.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1869 Session I, A-08

a.—Wo. a

PAPERS RELATIVE TO IMPERIAL TROOPS IN NEW ZEALAND.

PRESENTED TO BOTH HOUSES OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BT COMMAND OP HIS EXCELLENCY.

WELLINGTON.

1869.

A.—No. 8

No. 1. Memorandum by the Governor. The Governor would be glad to have the opinion and advice of Ministers on the measure so strongly urged by the Superintendent of the Province of Wellington, and by other leading men of all political parties, as absolutely necessary in view of the dangers which threaten the British settlements in the North Island of JS'ew Zealand. That measure is, that application should be made for one of the regiments of Her Majesty's troops now serving in Australia. Ministers will recollect that the Governor has been officially informed that one of those regiments will be relieved in next February or March ; and they will feel, therefore, that immediate action must be taken if it is desired that orders should be sent out by the Imperial authorities in time to enable the General Commanding to transfer that regiment to New Zealand before its embarkation for England. The Governor cannot tell whether the Governors of the principal Australian Colonies are willing to consent to part with any portion of the troops now quartered there ; or if General Chute will undertake the responsibility of sending any such troops to New Zealand without positive instructions from home. But the Governor, if so advised by Ministers, is willing to make immediately the necessarv inquiries on this subject. The Governor apprehends that the Government and Legislature of this Colony neither desire nor expect that an application for the services of an additional regiment would be granted, except on the terms cheerfully agreed to by the Governments and Legislatures of the Australian Colonies— i.e., a fixed annual payment of £40 for each officer and man. The Governor also takes this opportunity of asking the opinion and advice of Ministers as to whether it be not desirable, at the present crisis, that he should request the Commodore commanding Her Majesty's Naval Eorces in the Australasian Seas to place at least two men-of-war in the waters of New Zealand. Government House, Wellington, G. P. Bowen. 20th November, 1868.

No. 2. Memorandum by Mr. Stafford. Wellington, 26th November, 1868. Mij. Stafford presents his respectful compliments to His Excellency, and lias the honor to state that Ministers have given a careful consideration to the subject of His Excellency's Memorandum of the 20th November, in which His Excellency requests their opinion as to whether application should be made for one of the regiments of Her Majesty's troops now serving in Australia, and intimates that such an application is strongly urged by the Superintendent of Wellington, and by leading men of all political parties. Mr. Stafford was not previously aware that leading men of all political parties had urged that a larger force of the Imperial troops should be applied for; on the other hand, it is probable that such a course would bo protested against by many leading public men. If an application from His Excellency would have the effect of causing the immediate transfer of troops to New Zealand, and if such troops were without delay stationed at posts previously held by them in the Waikato, at Tauranga, at Wairoa in Hawke's Bay, and on the West Coast, a salutary moral effect might be produced on the Native mind from the belief that the rapid re-occupation of those posts was indicative that the military power of the Empire was available for the protection of the peaceably disposed and for the suppression of insurrection; and that effect would be materially increased if the Imperial troops were to take the field to repel unprovoked attacks, accompanied by such horrible atrocities as have recently occurred. Here is, however, no assurance that an application made to the General Commanding in Australia would be followed by the immediate transfer to New Zealand of any Imperial troops; but it is almost certain, on the contrary, that the question would be referred to the Imperial Government, at a time when the difficulties of the country are immediate and pressing, and cannot be met by any mode of treatment which relies on doubtful or distant aid. Still less can it be assumed that if troops were sent to the Colony they would be permitted to be used in such a manner, or even to be stationed in such places, as to be of effectual service. The express conditions, repeatedly announced by successive Secretaries of State, on which Imperial troops (even if paid for) may be allowed to remain are, "that they shall not be stationed at distant posts, but shall be confined to the duty of garrisoning main centres of population," their presence in the Colony being declared to be "for purposes of Imperial, not local concern." These conditions would confine a second regiment; if sent to New Zealand, merely to barracks in some of the principal towns, positions in which it would be of little or no practical use. The towns can be protected by their own inhabitants, and the retention of troops in the towns would not render the country settlers in the districts of AVaikato, Tauranga, Opotiki, Poverty Bay, Wairarapa, Rangitikei, Wanganui, Patea, or Taranaki any safer than now. Activity in punishing aggression, and local means of defence, are essential to secure the safety of these districts, and to prevent the collapse and present ruin of the northern half of the Colony. A necessary condition,

PAPERS RELATIVE TO IMPERIAL TROOPS IN NEW ZEALAND.

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PAPERS RELATIVE TO

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therefore, to the usefulness of any additional Imperial troops would be, that they should be stationed at such places as the Colonial Government might indicate as proper for the safety of the rural districts ; and their full value would only be experienced if they were available for actively repelling and punishing hostile attacks. For His Excellency the Governor. E. W. Stafford.

No. 3. Memorandum by Mr. Stafford. Wellington, 26th November, IS6B. Refertcixg to that portion of His Excellency's Memorandum of the 20th instant which relates to the stationing of at least two of Her Majesty's ships in New Zealand waters, Ministers respectfully recommend His Excellency to make an application to that effect to the Commodore on the Australian Station. For His Excellency the Governor. E. W. Stafford.

No. 4. MIMOBANDTTM by the GoVERXOIt. The Governor refers to Ministers the accompanying Resolutions adopted by the Magistrates at Auckland, and which have been submitted to him by Dr. Pollen, the Resident Minister in that Province. Ministers have long been aware that the Governor agrees, generally, with the views expressed in these resolutions, and believes that the most effectual and by far the cheapest -way to secure permanent peace and safety is to apply for an Imperial force at least as large as that stationed in Now Zealand during the interval of about twelve years between the first and second Maori wars ; i.e., two regiments. The Governor has also long been of opinion that strong military detachments should be placed at Tauranga and Ngaruawahia, or some other central position in the Waikato. Bat Ministers already know that this cannot be done with the single regiment now in the Colon3 r. In the first place, there are not men enough; especially as the military authorities would decline to leave unprotected by Imperial troops the Imperial Fort, Barracks, and Stores at Auckland. In the next place, Dr. Pollen clearly showed, in a recent speech in the Legislative Council, that as Ministers had repeatedly, during the two years preceding last October, refused to agree to the conditions on which the Imperial Government offered to maintain one battalion in New Zealand, the 2-18th Regiment is simply awaiting embarkation in certain seaports where there is barrack accommodation, and is really, in the terms of the Despatch of the Secretary of State, of Ist December, 18G6, at the disposal of the General Commanding, and not of the Governor. It will be seen, moreover, that if the Governor were to issue orders inconsistent with his instructions respecting the 2-lSth Regiment, the officer in command would " not " be at liberty to consent " to carry out such orders. Referring to his Memorandum of the 20th November, the Governor recommends Ministers to concur with him in applying to the Imperial Government by the outgoing mail (after which it would probably be too late) — 1. That immediate instructions should be sent to General Chute (if they have not already been sent) to the effect that the 2-lSth Regiment is to remain in this Colony, in compliance with the Resolutions of the Legislature during the late Session, virtually agreeing to the conditions offered by the Imperial Government, and as an equivalent for the large Colonial expenditure for Native Purposes, Defence, and the interest of the War Loan. 2. That further instructions should be sent to General Chute directing him to detain and send to New Zealand the regiment which is shortly to be removed from Australia (or such other of the troops under his command as can best be spared), in the event of the Governor of New Zealand, with the concurrence of Ministers, making a requisition to that effect. It cannot, of course, be expected that the Imperial Government or Parliament would consent to send a second regiment here, except on the understanding that New Zealand will pay for it on the same scale as that paid bv the Australian Colonies, i.e., £40 for every officer and man, which is estimated to be about one-half of the cust to the Imperial Treasury, including arms, ammunition, pensions, &c., &c. It should also be made clear that the Colonial Government expects that any troops thus paid for (in part) by this Colony, would be subject here, as in all other Provinces of the Empire, to the rules laid dawn in the Queen's Colonial Regulations ; and that, in particular, strong military detachments would be placed (in addition to the present garrisons at Auckland, Napier, Tarauaki, and Wanganui) at Tauranga and Ngaruawahia. The Governor is glad that Ministers concur with the proposal made in his previous Memorandum of 20th November, viz., that he should request Commodore Lambert to leave at least two of Her Majesty's ships in the waters of New Zealand during the continuance of the present rebellion. The Governor has accordingly invited Commodore Lambert to comply with this request; and he has also invited both the Commodore and the General to come to New Zealand, to consult with him and the Colonial Government as to the best means which can be adopted at the existing crisis for the protection of life and property and the restoration of peace. Government House, Wellington, sth December, 1868. G. F. Bowes.

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Enclosure in No. 4. At a meeting of the following Justices of the Peace, resident in the district of Auckland, held this 27th day of November, 18G8,—Jas. Williamson, (Chairman), Archibald Clark, D. B. Thornton, .]. S. Macfarlane, H. A. H. Monro, Jos. May, It. B. Lusk, Jas. Baber, Jas. Robertson, Alex. Kennedy, G-. B. Owen, S. Browning, T. Paton, T. It. Hamilton, R. G. Wood, John Kerr, C. J. Taylor, W. Young, Jas. O'Neill, J. H. Home, Jos. Newman, Jas. Dilworth,— It was Brxolox'd — 1. That the present state of affairs throughout the Northern Island demands on the part of the Government the most active and energetic measures in some districts, and prompt precautionary measures in other districts. 2. That it is the duty of every man, whatever may be his political opinions, to support the measures necessary to meet effectually the present pressing emergency. 3. That every exertion should be made to put down as speedily as possible the insurrection now raging on the East and West Coasts, and to bring to justice and condign punishment those who have been guilty of murdering unarmed men, and especially the miscreants who have barbarously murdered women and children in the Poverty Bay district. 4. That in the present precarious condition of the Waikato district, it: is of the first importance that prompt measures be taken to preserve the peace if possible, and, if necessary, to resist aggression ; as the possession of that district by the insurgents would give such a prestige and character to the insurrection as would probably lead to the most disastrous results throughout the Colon3 r. 5. That one of the most effective precautionary measures that could be adopted to ensure peace, and, in the event of aggression, to save the lives of women and children in the Waikato district, would be to garrison Newcastle with the Imperial troops now quartered in Auckland. G. That in the opinion of this meeting Ihc probable result of leaving the Colony alone to deal with the present insurrection will be to bring about a most disastrous war of races; and in order to avoid such a calamity, it is essential that steps be taken to procure as speedily as possible the assistance of Imperial 1 roops. 7. That a committee of the Chairman and such Justices as think proper to accompany him be appointed to present these Resolutions to the Minister resident in Auckland, to be forwarded to His Excellency the Governor, and also to urge on the Minister the importance of prompt action being taken to give effect to the suggestions made. James Wiu.iamson", Chairman.

No. 5. Memorandum by Mr. Stafford. Wellington, 7th December, LSGS. Mr. Stafford has the honor to acknowledge the receipt of His Excellency's Memorandum of the sth instant, in which the Governor recommends Ministers to concur with him in applying to the Imperial Government that immediate instructions be sent to General Chute (if they have not been already sent) to the effect that the 2-lStli Regiment is to remain in the Colony in compliance with the Resolutions of the Legislature during the last Session, and that further instructions be sent to General Chute to detain and send to New Zealand the regiment shortly to be removed from Australia, or other troops under his command, in the event of the Governor of New Zealand, with the concurrence of Ministers, making a requisition to that effect. The Resolutions of the Legislature distinctly prayed that the departure of the ISth Regiment might be delayed; and Mr. Stafford, in a Memorandum of the 7th October last, referring to the Resolutions passed on the subject by the House of Representatives on the 2nd October, showed that the conditions on which the Imperial Government proposed that the regiment should remain were being fulfilled by the Colony. Unless, therefore, the Imperial Government has since determined that on no conditions whatever shall Imperial troops remain in New Zealand —which is not probable—it may fairly be assumed that General Chute has already been instructed that the regiment is not to be removed." It is advisable, however, that, as His Excellency recommends, the subject should again be brought before the notice of the Imperial Government bv the outgoing mail. It would also tend to a practical result that the further instructions recommended by His Excellency should be sent to the General Commanding in Australia, in the event of the Governor of New Zealand, with the concurrence of Ministers, applying for additional troops. For His Excellency the Governor. E. W. Staffokd.

No. 6. Memorandum by Mr. Stafford. Wellington, 7th December, 1868. With reference to the Resolutions adopted by certain Magistrates at Auckland referred to in Hiss Excellency's Memorandum of the sth instant, Mr. Stafford agrees with the opinion expressed in the sth resolution, to the effect that Newcastle should be garrisoned by Imperial troops now quartered in Auckland. Of the four companies of the ISth Regiment now quartered in Auckland, at least three could with equal convenience be stationed at Newcastle, where barrack accommodation can be obtained, and where every facility for obtaining the necessary supplies exists. One company could guard the fort and barracks at Auckland, which, however, it maybe observed, have been left for months without any troops to guard them, at a time when many more troops than at present were in the Colony, and which when the Imperial troops are removed from the Colony, Mill be left unguarded.

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PAPERS RELATIVE TO

When the House of Representatives passed the Resolution on the 2nd October, requesting the18th Regiment to be retained, it was understood and implied that the distribution of the regiment was to be subject to the directions of the Governor, in accordance with the Queen's Colonial Regulations, in illustration of which understanding it was arranged, when the Resolution was passed, that troops should be sent to Wanganui. For His Excellency the Governor. E. W. Stafford. Note.—lt was subsequently intimated by the Officer Commanding the Troops in New Zealand, that troops could not be detached from the garrison at Auckland, where they were required to guard Imperial stores.

No. 7. Dr. Featherston to His Excellency the Governor. Sir, — Superintendent's Office, Wellington, 9th December, 1868. I have the honor to forward to your Excellency a memorial signed by 2GI inhabitants of tin* city, praying that your Excellency will be pleased to make an earnest appeal to the Governors of the Australian Colonies for the assistance of such of the Imperial forces as they may be able to detach for service in this Colony. I have, &e., His Excellency Sir G. F. Bowen, G.C.M.G. I. E. Feathehston, Superintendent.

Enclosure in No. 7. To His Excellency Sir George Ferci'son Bowen, Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, Governor and Commandcr-in- Chief in and over Her Majesty's Colony of New Zealand, and Vice-Admiral of the same. The Memorial of the undersigned Eesidents of the City of Wellington, in the Colony of New Zealand sheweth : —That many of your memorialists have resided iu this Colony for a long period, and nearly all of them during the Native rebellion that has been in progress since 18G0. That never since the foundation of the Colony has this island been in such imminent danger, never has there been a Greater sacrifice of life and property than has taken place during the last few weeks, and never has there existed such a general sense of insecurity, or such a state of unpreparednesa to meet an insurrection which is daily assuming larger dimensions. That the Colonial troops, consisting almost entirely of new levies, are necessarily inadequate at once to cope with so widespread an insurrection, aud your memorialists therefore pray your Excellency to make an earnest appeal to the Governors of the Australian Colonies for the assistance of such of the Imperial forces as they may be able to detach for service in New Zealand. And your memorialists will ever pray, &C., I. E. Featheiiston, M.G.A., &c, Alexander. J. Johnston, Judge of Supreme Court, John Johnston, M.L.C., And 258 other signatures.

No. S. Memobakotm bv Mr. Stafford. Wellington, lOtli December, 18GS. The accuracy of certain statements in this Memorial cannot be admitted. In reference, however, to its special object, it is necessary to notice the assumption which, by implication, it conveys, that if Imperial troops now in Australia were in New Zealand the loss of life and property to which it alludes would not have taken place. That loss of life and property has occurred in country districts, and notoriously in Poverty Bay, a district to which Imperial troops were never sent, even when there were 10,000 of them in New Zealand, although, while those troops were in the Colony, a serious insurrection, attended with considerable loss of life and property, occurred in that district for some weeks ; and in the neighbouring districts (which also Imperial troops never entered), for many months, the insurrection being suppressed by Colonial forces alone. Can it be maintained, then, when Imperial troops never entered these districts when open fightingwas going on, that if those in Australia had been in New Zealand, they would have guarded the settlers scattered in isolated houses over the Poverty Bay district from midnight surprise, and prevented men, women, and children, attacked in their beds, from being killed ? AVould they, either, on the West Coast, have prevented the surprise and murder in cold blood, without previous notice, of Cahil, Squires, and Clarke, with the murder of whom the insurrection on that coast commenced? With respect to the present and future protection of life and property, would Imperial troops, if obtained from Australia, be used so as to defend the country districts ? Would the Governor order them to be stationed in either the Poverty Bay or Patea districts ; or to take the field along the line, say, of the Waitotara River, and to operate as a field-force, so as to protect life and property in the country between that river and the town of Wanganui, which district is now specially menaced ? For His Excellency the Governor. E. W. Stafford.

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No. 9. Memorandum by the Governor. With reference to the second paragraph of Mr. Stafford's Minute on the Memorial presented by DrFeatherston, the Governor entirely agrees that neither Imperial nor Colonial troops can ever efficiently protect settlers scattered in isolated houses over outlying districts like those at Patea, Poverty Bay, and Opotiki, in the immediate vicinity of the most hostile tribes, and of almost inaccessible mountains and forests, unless, indeed, it were possible (as was said in the first Maori war) "to put a sentry over every cow." The Secretary of State (Mr. Cardwell) foretold, in his published Despatch to Sir G. Grey, of 26th April, 1866, that if the proposed new settlements were too far advanced beyond the country already occupied, "it might prove impossible to abandon them without discredit, or to protect them without a disproportionate expense." And it appears to be now very generally agreed on all sides that it was premature and imprudent to place settlers on the confiscated lands at Patea, Opotiki, &c. Great practical difficulties, however, surround this subject. With regard to the third paragraph of Mr. Stafford's Minute, ho will recollect that in his Memorandum of Bth August ultimo, which accompanied to England the Eesolution of the Legislative Council in favour of the retention of the Imperial troops, he not only " declined to accede, on behalf of the Colony, to any formal conditions on which the single regiment now in New Zealand should be retained," but also "declined to advise that jlmperial troops should be employed in the field." It is possible that the Home Government may have taken Ministers at their word, and that General Chute may have received instructions accordingly. For it is certain that the Imperial authorities have no desire or intention to keep any of the Queen's forces in this Colony, or to employ them here in the field, or otherwise, except with the consent and at the request of the Colonial Ministry and Legislature. For his own part, the Governor sees no sufficient reason why (at all events) additional troops applied for by this Colony, on the usual terms, should not take the field in the Wanganui district, to drive the rebels from the undisputed Colonial lands, if Ministers should now be prepared to advise that course, and if the General Commanding should be able to carry it out. The Governor has no wish to discuss any further this question of the Imperial troops. From his previous Memoranda on the subject, and from repeated conversations, Ministers already know fully his views on the subject. It need scarcely be added that he has no desire to press unduly those views on his Constitutional Advisers, to whom the control of Native affairs and the general responsibility for the Government of the Colony have been transferred for several years past. Government House, Wellington, G. F. Bowen. 12th December, 1868.

No. 10. Major-General Chute to His Excellency the Goveenob. Sir,— Melbourne, 30th March, 1869. With reference to former correspondence on the subject of the withdrawal of the 2-18th Eegiment from New Zealand, I have now the honor to forward for your Excellency's information, the enclosed copy of a communication which I have transmitted to the Eight Honorable the Secretary of State for War, in which I reported my reasons for requesting Captain Piers, commanding H.M.S. " Himalaya," to proceed to New Zealand to embark a wing of the 2-lStli Eegiment in that vessel for removal to Australia. I have, &c, His Excellency Sir G. F. Bowen, G.C.M.G. T. Chute, Major-General.

Enclosure 1 in No. 10. Major-General Chute to the TJndeb Seceetaex of State for "War. Sir, — Melbourne, Ist March 1869. "With reference to your letter of the 30th October last, No. 090-1239, and previous correspondence, I have the honor to report that a telegram referring to the removal of the 50th Eegiment, and the temporary detention of the 2-18th Eegiment in New Zealand, has been received from the Quartermaster-General of the Forces forwarded through the General Officer Commanding in Ceylon, by the " Himalaya," copy of which, with reply thereto, is transmitted for the information of the Eight Honorable the Secretary of State for War, showing the steps I have taken in consequence ; and I beg to state that it is my intention to remove the remaining wing of the 2-18th Eegiment as soon as there has been a sufficient time to enable the Colonial Government to organize their forces, and the state of the country will admit of it, which I trust will meet with approval. As, however, there may be obstacles raised to the withdrawal of this portion of the regiment, I shall be glad to receive instructions on the subject. I have, &c, The Under Secretary of State for "War, T. Chute, War Office, London. Major-General.

Enclosure 2 in No. 10. Major-General Chute to the Quabtebmastee-General of the Foeces. [Referring to a telegram received through the General Officer at Ceylon from the Quartermaster-General, relative to the removal of the 50th Regiment, and temporary detention of the 2-18th Regiment in New Zealand.] Sib, — Melbourne, 27th February, 1869. I have the honor to forward, for the information of His Eoyal Highness the Field-Marshal Commanding-in-Chief, the accompanying verbatim copy of an extract of a telegram received from you through the General Officer Commanding at Ceylon. 3

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IMPERIAL TROOPS IN NEW ZEALAND.

The telegram referred to seems to confer on me a discretionary power of retaining the 2-18th Eegiment in New Zealand, though no positive instructions have been received on the subject. With this view of the case, having just returned from New Zealand, where I made myself acquainted with the real state of affairs, I determined to retain one wing only of the regiment in that Colony. The rebel Natives on the East Coast have been nearly all destroyed by the friendly Natives and Colonial forces ; whilst those on the West Coast, whose numbers were inconsiderable, had abandoned their pa, incapable (from its position) of defence, and retired to the bush. Under these circumstances, bearing in mind the tenor of the instructions received from the Secretary of State for War, considering the great expense, inconvenience and delay which would be caused by a fresh distribution of the 2-14th Regiment through the Australian Colonies, the probable removal in a few months of the 2-18th Regiment to Australia, and the consequent return to the different Colonies of the various detachments 2-14th Eegiment, together with the expense which would unavoidably be incurred in repairs to barracks if a detachment was retained at Taranaki during the ensuing winter, I requested Captain Piers, E.N., commanding the " Himalaya," to remove five companies 2-18th Eegiment from New Zealand to Australia, viz., four companies to Sydney and one to Brisbane, instead of the whole regiment. In leaving one wing in New Zealand, I considered I should be acting in accordance with the wish of His Excellency the Governor of New Zealand, who has dwelt so strongly on the moral impression which would be created in the minds of the Natives by a withdrawal of the Imperial troops during war, whilst it was consistent with the determination of the Imperial Government to take no further part in New Zealand wars. Trusting that the steps I have taken will meet with approval, I have &c, The Quartermaster-General, T. Chute, Horse Guards, London. Major-General.

Verbatim Copy of Telegram referred to. From London to Ceylon—from Quartermaster-General, London, to General Commanding. " Send following by ' Himalaya 'to General at Australia. Governor of Government has decided that under any circumstances Fiftieth is to come home in ' Himalaya,' even if Eighteenth Foot is temporarily retained Zealand in New, which [case Fourteenth must be redistributed in Australian. Colonies. " 8-6-35 p.m. 9-17-17." True Copy. G. Hyde Page, D.Q.M.-Geueral.

No. 11. Mr. J. Moeeison to the Hon. E. W. Stafford. Office of the New Zealand Government Agency, (No. 83.) 3, Adelaide Place, King William Street, Sie,— London, 14th April, 1869. I have the honor to transmit herewith copy of a letter received by Sir George Grey, in reply to his letter, addressed to the Eight Honorable the Secretary of State for the Colonies, relative to the removal of Her Majesty's 18th Regiment from New Zealand. I have, &c, The Honorable the Colonial Secretary, John Morrison. "Wellington, New Zealand.

Enclosure in No. 11. Sir F. Eogebs to Sir G-. Grey, K.C.B. Sie,— Downing Street, 29th March, 1869. I am directed by Earl Granville to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th instant, enclosing one from Major Atkinson, recently Minister for Colonial Defence in New Zealand, in which he expresses his apprehension of the evil results which would attend the removal of the 18th Regiment from the Colony. Lord Grranville desires me to inform you that the regiment will be left in the Colony till May next, at which period arrangements are made for removing it. His Lordship hopes that the feelings of great alarm which you state have been expressed to you by persons connected with New Zealand, will be diminished by the news lately received. I am, &c, Sir George Grey, K.C.B. Feedeeic Bogees.

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No. 12. Major-General Chute to His Excellency Sir G-. F. Bowen. Sib, — Melbourne, 17th June, 1869. In conformity with the instructions contained in the enclosed copy of a letter from the War Office, dated 23rd April, 18(59, in reply to my communication of the Ist March, a copy of which was transmitted to your Excellency on the, 30th of same mouth, I have now the honor to acquaint you that it is my intention to take measures, in concert with the Senior Naval Officer, for the removal of the the 2-18th Regiment from New Zealand according to my " original instructions." With this view orders have been issued for their immediate concentration at Auckland prior to distribution amongst the Australian Colonies. I have, &c, His Excellency Sir G-. F. Bowen, G.C.M.G.. J. T. Chute, Governor of New Zealand, &c. Major-General. Enclosure in No. 12. Sir E. Ltjgahd to Major-General Chute. Sje— War Office, 23rd April, 1869. I am directed by Mr. Secretary Cardwcll to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the Ist ultimo, upon the subject of the withdrawal from New Zealand of a portion of the 2-18th Regiment, and in reply, to convey to you his approval of the steps which you have taken in this matter. On the receipt, however, of this communication, you will at once, should you not have already done so, take measures, in concert with the Senior Naval Officer on the station, for the removal of the remaining wing of the 2-lSth from New Zealand, —according to your original instructions, —to relieve the 2-14th, which should be sent home. You will give to the men of the latter regiment the option of volunteering into the 2-18th, to the extent of raising the strength of that regiment to 790 rank and file —the men so volunteering receiving the usual bounty of one guinea. I am to transmit for your information and guidance the enclosed copy of a letter which has been addressed to the Horse Guards, under date the 23rd ultimo, upon the subject of tho redistribution of the troops to be left in the Australian Colonies. I have, &c., The Major-General Commanding, Melbourne. Edwakd Lugaed.