8

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 , ,