NEW ZEALAND. NAVAL. v.Xho. e,'v7i, 18637

No. 4. copy of DESPATCH from his ghace the duke of Newcastle, e.g., to goveknoe sie geobge GBET, K.C.B. Downing Street, August 24th, 1863. Sie, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch, No. 57, of the 1st of June, in which, adverting to a letter received by you from the Senior Naval Officer at Sydney, you urge the necessity of making New Zealand the Head-Quarters of the Naval Station during the present disturbed state of the Colony. I have to inform you in reply that in consequence of your previous representations the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty informed me as far back as the 29th of April last, that they were prepared to comply with your wishes in the matter, and that Commodore Sir William Wiseman, who was then about to proceed from England to carry on the duties of Senior Officer of Her Majesty's Ships on the Australian Station, would be directed to make New Zealand his HeadQuarters while affairs continue in theiv present unsettled state, unless unforeseen circumstances should make liis j)resence necessary elsewhere. I much regret that owing to a misapprehension this communication was not made to you by the next mail after the receipt of the letter from the Board of Admiralty, though I trust that as Sir W. Wiseman was to proceed so shortly to his command but little delay will in fact have arisen in your becoming aware of the orders which had been given. I have, &c, Newcastle. Governor Sir George Grey, K.C.B.

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PAPERS RELATING TO MILITARY DEFENCE.

A.—No. 6A.