A.—No. 8,

8

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.