33

A—No. 6

Sir E. B. Lytton would be glad to bo favored with any suggestions which they may wish to offer upon the several points adverted to in these papers. I have, &c., (Signed) IT. Merivale. The Secretary to the Admiralty. MR. ELLIOT. TO SECRETARY TO ADMIRALTY. Downing street, 13th November, 1858. With reference to previous correspondence, and especially to your Letters of the 23rd of March ncow and 7th of April last, relative to the Naval and Military protection of New Zealand, I am directed by Secretary Sir E. Bulwer Lytton to transmit to you, for the consideration of the Lords Commis- No 5 i Une ' sioners of the Admiralty, the enclosed copies of three Despatches from Governor Gore Browne, strongly 2eih Junej j^ representing the deficiency of protection at present afforded to the Settlers in the uncertain state of No. 52. their relations with Natives. 1 5 J"'y> '"5* Their Lordships will perceive, that the Governor points out the great want of Naval protection, No ' i 7, and the comparatively small advantage which would result from the employment on the service in question, of a Sailing Vessel instead of a Steam Ship. I am directed to bring this subject again under the serious consideration of the Lords of the Admiralty. Sir E. B. Lytton has urged upon the War Department the necessity of strengthening the Military Force in New Zealand, and he would press upon their Lordships, the consequence and urgency of the demand for a War Steamer on the Coasts of New Zealand. Sir E. B. Lytton would be glad to be informed, what measures may have been taken by the Naval Authorities in that quarter for the Naval protection of New Zealand, and how far the general arrangements of the Naval Service may enable their Lordships to comply with the urgent application of the Local Government. I have, 85c, (Signed) T. F. Elliot. The Secretary to the Admiralty. SIR H. K. STORKS, TO MR. ELLIOT. War Office, 30th December, 1858. Sir, — The Secretary of State for War has had under his consideration your Letters, dated the 13th (Enclosure.) ultimo, and 6th instant, together with their enclosures from the Governor of New Zealand on the subject of the Military Force to be maintained in that Colony. With regard to the proposal of specially raising and maintaining two Companies of the Royal Artillery for this Service, I am to state that the expense would appear to be so large, and, taking into consideration the age and physical condition of the men, so disproportionate to the probable efficiency of the Corps when raised, that Major-General Peel deems it unadvisable to have recourse to this measure. It has, therefore, been decided, that, with a view to increasing the Force in New Zealand to 1200 Men, that the Service Companies of the 65th Regiment should be raised to 120 Bank and File each. I have, &c, (Signed) H. K. Storks. T. F. Elliot, Esq., &c, &c, &c. SIR W. DENISON TO SIR E. B. LYTTON. Government House, Sydney, 26th October, 1858. (Edclmuc Sir,— No - lie - I recaived some months ago a Despatch from Lord Stanley, No. 6, dated 11th March, 1858, in reply to one of mine, No. 127, dated 14th August, 1856, on the subject of the defence of Sydney Harbour.

Sir, —