MR. EITZHERBERT'S MISSION TO ENGLAND.

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B.—No. 4,

While my Lords feel that there is perhaps an advantage in the surveys of the Empire being carried on by officers of the Navy, and that it is just that the charts should be engraved at the charge of the Admiralty, in order to ensure accuracy, uniformity, and confidence in the public mind, they are of opinion that all the expenses of such surveys as those contemplated in New Zealand should, including pay, &c., of officers, and indeed every item of expenditure, be borne by the New Zealand Government. My Lords observe that allusion has been made to the terms under which a survey has been conducted on the Coasts of Victoria and New South Wales ; but, under any circumstances, no parallel can fairly be drawn, as these Coasts have never previously been surveyed by Government, whilst those of New Zealand have, as before pointed out, enjoyed the exceptional advantage of having been surveyed wholly at the expense of the Imperial Government. I have, &c, The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office. W. G. Bomaine.

Enclosure No. 7. Sir F. Bogers to the Hon. W. Fitzherbert. Ste, — Downing Street, 19th February, 1869. With reference to that part of your Memorandum of 25th November, on the Defence of New Zealand, in which you submitted an application on behalf of the Colony for a supply of smooth-bore guns, I am directed by Earl Granville to enclose for any observations you may wish to offer, a copy of a letter from the War Office, conveying Mr. Cardwell's desire to be furnished with further information on the matter. I am, &c, The Hon. W. Fitzherbert. Feedeeic Bogers.

Sir H. K. Storks to the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies. Sir,— War Office, 11th February, 1869. In reference to your letter dated 11th December, IS6B, transmitting a copy of a communication from Mr. Fitzherbert respecting a grant of smooth-bore guns, which the Colonial authorities of New Zealand desire to obtain from the Imperial Government for certain proposed defences in the Colony, I am instructed to acquaint you, for the information of Earl Granville, that, in the absence of more precise particulars of what is required, Mr. Secretary Cardwell is unable to deal with the question ; and in order that the subject may be fully considered, I am to request that further and precise details may be furnished as to the number and description of guns, carriages, and ammunition, &c, required, and the nature of the defences for which the armament is intended. I have, &c, The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office. H. K. Storks.

Enclosure No. 8. Memorandum for the Secretary of State for the Colonies. Sinking Fund. Mr. Fitzherbert, in pursuance of instructions received from the Government of New Zealand, to request the Imperial Government to direct the investment of the Sinking Fund of the Guaranteed Loan of 1856 in New Zealand Securities, makes the following application, viz.: — That the Sinking Fund of the first half-million guaranteed by the Imperial Government- may bo treated by the Trustees in the same manner as that of the second half-million; i.e., that all investments of the Sinking Fund may be made in Indian or Colonial Government Securities, at the discretion of the Trustees. Mr. Fitzherbert submits that there is nothing either in the Imperial Act of 1857, or the Colonial Act of 1856, to hinder this request from being complied with ; and that, by making the Fund more remunerative, the following advantages would be secured, viz.: — 1. The debt might be extinguished at an earlier date. 2. A saving to the Colony would be effected at the rate of £5,000 per annum. 21 Cockspur Street, S. W., 25th November, 1868. William Fitzheebert.

Enclosure No. 9. Sir F. Bo gees to the Hon. W. Fitzherbert. Sir, — Downing Street, Bth January, 1869. With reference to your Memorandum of 25th November, I am directed by Earl Granville to transmit to you, for your information, a copy of a letter from the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, on the subject of your application respecting the investment of the Sinking Fund of the New Zealand Guaranteed Loan, 1856. I have, &c, Frederic Bogers.

Mr. Hamilton to the Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Sir, — Treasury Chambers, 22nd December, 1868. The Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty's Treasury have had before them your letter of the sth instant, enclosing copy of a Memorandum from Mr. Fitzherbert, the representative of the Colony of New Zealand in this country, making an application for leave to make all investments of the sinking fund of the first half-million of the loan raised under " The Zealand Loan Act, 1856," and Imperial Act, c. LI., 1867, in Indian or Colonial Government securities, at the discretion of the trustees. lam to state, for the information of the Secretary of State, that my Lords will not object to the nvcstment of the sinking fund of the Guaranteed Loan in Indian or Colonial securities, with

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