A.—No. 1

74

DESPATCHES EROM THE GOVERNOR OE

No. 11. Copy of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to the Eight Hon. Earl Granville, K.G. (No. 16.) Government House, Auckland, My Lord, — New Zealand, Ith Eebruary, 1870. In continuation of previous correspondence on the same subject, I have the honor to transmit herewith a copy of a letter this day received from the Commandant in New Zealand, (Colonel Elliott,) informing me of the periods at which the several detachments of the 2-18 th (Eoyal Irish) Eegiment have already, or will shortly be removed from this Colony, in pursuance of the orders of Her Majesty's Government, and of the arrangements made by the naval and military authorities on this station. 2. It will be seen that the detachments lately in garrison at Napier, Taranaki, and Wanganui have already been removed; that the head-quarters and two companies will leave Auckland on the 20th instant; and that "it maybe expected " that the last company will have sailed by the end of the present month" (Eebruary). 3. On more than one occasion* I have felt it to be my duty to bear my testimony to the excellent conduct of the 2-18 th Eegiment, which has been here for the last seven years, and which during more than two years has been the only corps of regular troops left in this Colony. Both officers and men have invariably maintained the most cordial relations with their fellow-subjects of all classes in New Zealand; and their departure is viewed with deep and. general regret both on public and personal grounds, more especially in the towns where they have so long been quartered. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. Earl Granville, K.G. G. E. BOWEN.

Enclosure in No. 11. Lieut.-Colonel Elliot to the Goveenoe of New Zealand. (No. 50-70.) Garrison Office, Auckland, New Zealand, Sic,— 4th February, 1870. I have the honor to inform your Excellency that I yesterday received instructions from the Major-General Commanding the Australian Colonies, to forward to Sydney, without delay, the two companies of the 2nd Battalion 18th Eegiment intended ultimately to be stationed at Melbourne and that I have directed the Senior Commissariat Officer to provide the tonnage necessary for their conveyance. My letters of the 10th and 15th ultimo have already apprized your Excellency of the then probable dates of removal of the troops from the out-stations, and I have now to report that the several moves have taken place as indicated, with but slight modifications as to dates. The New Plymouth detachment left for Adelaide on the 17th ultimo, per s.s. " Claud Hamilton," under an arrangement made at Melbourne by the Deputy Quartermaster-General; the two companies lately stationed at Napier were removed therefrom for Sydney, by 11.M.5. " Virago," on the 19th ultimo ; and, on the 21st, those garrisoning "Wanganui embarked in the s.s. " St. Kilda," for transhipment at Wellington to "Virago " for same station. As notified in my letter of the 28th ultimo, it is intended to send the head-quarters of the 2nd Battalion 18th Eegiment to Sydney, and the two companies of that corps for Hobart Town in the s s " Hero," on the 20th instant. Tour Excellency will therefore observe that, when the tonnage now ordered to be hired is available transport for the whole of the Imperial Troops now remaining in New Zealand will have been provided and that it may, consequently, be expected that the last company will have sailed bj the end of the present month. I have, &c, His Excellency the Governor, &c, Geoeoe A. Elliot, Government House. Lt.-Col. Commanding in N.Z.

No. 12. Copy of a DESBATCH from Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to the Eight Hon. Earl Granville, K.G. (No. 18.) Government House, Auckland, My Lord, — New Zealand, Bth Eebruary, 1870. With reference to your Lordship's Despatch No. 61 of 1869, transmitting a letter from Mrs. Gascoine, claiming assistance on the ground of the loss of her

* See especially Governor of New Zealand to Secretary of State, No. 18, of Bth Eebruary, 1869; No. 29, of 9lh March 1869.