A.—No. la,

14

DESPATCHES EBOM THE SECEETABY OE STATE

Chief Instructor of Musketry at the School of Musketry, Deputy Inspector of Eeserve Eorces, Assistant Inspector of Eeserve Eorces, Deputy Director of Works, Inspector of Clothing, Military Superintendent of a Manufacturing Department, Eegimental Lieutenant-Colonels of Eoyal Artillery and Eoyal Engineers employed in the Public Works Department and Survey in India ; or in such other appointments as shall from time to time be specially approved by our Secretary of State and our Commander-in-Chief.

No. 10. Copt of a DESPATCH from the Eight Hon. the Earl of Kimbebibt to Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G. (No. 78.) Sir, — Downing Street, 11th November, 1871. I have received your Despatch No. 55, of 6th July, forwarding two further Memorandums from your Ministers on the subject of the naval assistance to be afforded by Her Majesty's Government to New Zealand. I acknowledge with pleasure the temperate and reasonable tone of these papers, which have been fully considered, but Her Majesty's Government cannot give any further assurances as to the manner in which the British fleet would be employed in the case of foreign war, than those already given to New Zealand in common with the Dominion of Canada and other important Colonies. So much must depend upon the nature and circumstances of the war, which cannot be now foreseen, that the particular manner in which it would be advisable to employ Her Majesty's naval forces, so as to give the greatest amount of protection to the whole Empire, cannot be determined beforehand. As regards the intercolonial trade, Her Majesty's ships would certainly not confine themselves to the protection of only one class of British ships, but would defend British ships against the enemy, whatever trade they might be engaged in, to the best of their ability ; at the same time it is obvious that it would be impossible that Her Majesty's ships should always be at hand at every point of the far extended coasts of the Australasian Colonies, and it would greatly conduce to the safety of New Zealand, and the general strength of the Empire, if the Colony were to take advantage of the Colonial Naval Defence Act, and gradually establish an armed Colonial navy. Such a navy would be of material service to New Zealand in her internal affairs, and, when supported by Her Majesty's ships in time of war, would secure the colonial coasts and trade from insult; and whilst the Colony Avould in this manner effectually contribute to the cost of its own external defence, it would derive much greater benefit than it would from merely contributing to the cost of the Imperial navy, over which it would always be necessary for the Home Government to exercise undivided and unquestioned control. As regards the naval force on the Australian and New Zealand station. I am informed by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty that Her Majesty's ship " Cossack " has lately been ordered to that station, and that the force now consists of five vessels, namely :— " Clio," 18 guns, 1,472 tons, 400 h.p., launched in 1858 ") Corvettes of a recent class, " Cossack," 16 guns, 1,297 tons, 250 h.p., launched in 1854 j with 64-pounder guns. ( Newest type, very fast, "Blanche," 6 guns, 1,268 tons, 350 h.p., launched in 1867 I 27-inch guns, and 4 64- -(. pounders. ( Sloop of recent type, 1 " Eosario," 5 guns, 673 tons, 150 h.p., launched in 1860 J. 7-inch gun, and 4 40- -(. pounders. and "Basilisk," the relief for the "Virago," alluded to in your Despatch, an old class of paddle frigate, launched in 1841, and sent specially to the station as being adapted for the conveyance of stores, police, &c, to Cape York, and of troops if required. I have, &c., Governor Sir G. E. Bowen, G.C.M.G. KIMBERLEY.