9

A—No. 6a

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.