11

A—No. 3

MEMORANDUM BY MR. STAFFORD. October 26th, 1857. With respect to the Governor's Memorandum of the 23rd instant, Ministers desire most repecfullr to point out what appears to be a misapprehension on the part of his Excellency. They had no intention of advising his Excellency to act in direct opposition to his instructions ; on the contrary, they recommended that the question of the erection of permanent Barracks at Napier should be left for the decision of the Imperial Government and the General Assembly. They, however, added, that if, in the opinion of his Excellency, the erection of permanent Barracks at once was indispensable, (which, in their opinion it was not,) the responsibility of carrying out that view would fairly rest with the Governor. Whether Troops are required in a particular district for the preservation of peace, and whether their services are likely to be beneficial, if afforded for a few months, and not by a permanent Military establishment, are questions, it is submitted of a Civil and Political, and not of a Military character. It is on these that Ministers have tendered advice ; upon the purely Military portion of the subject they have no desire to set their opinions in opposition to his Excellency and the Military Authorities. (Signed) E. W. Stafford.

Private Secretary's Office. October 27th, 1857. Sir, —I am directed by the Governor to acquaint you, for the information of Ministers, that he has received Mr. Stafford's .V! mute, marked " Military," of the 26th instant. Having expressed his views dearly and distinctly in his Minute of the 23rd instant, the Governor declines further discussion oa the subject, I have, &c, F. G. Steward, Private Secretary. The Under Secretary, &c, &c, &c.

Downing street, 16th February, 1858. g IE) —1 have to acknowledge your Despatches, Nos. 90 and 91, of the 17th October last, reporting a Native feud in the neighbourhood of Hawke's Bay, and also forwarding copy of a correspondence between yourself and your Advisers on the subject of affording Military protection to the settlers there. I have to convey to you the approval of Her Majesty's Government of your conduct in declining to incur expense for Barrack accommodation under the circumstances mentioned. I have had under my consideration, before arriving at this decision, the Minutes of your Responsible Advisers on the general subject of Barrack accommodation, conveyed in your Despatch, No. 41, of the 11th May last, which I will more fully answer by an early opportunity. I have, &c, (Signed) H. Labouchere. Governor T. Gore Browne, &c, &c., &c.

Downing Street, 12th March, 1858. Sir, —I have to acknowledge your Despatch, No. 41, of the 11th May last forwarding two Minutes of your Responsible Advisers, and other documents, on the subject of the expenditure required for the maintenance of Barracks for the Military. Her Majesty's Government have not failed to give their full attention to the reasons urged by your Advisers, and enforced by yourself, why this expenditure should not be borne by the Colony, and the delay which has taken place in answering your despatch will show that they were unwilling to urge the demand prematurely or inconveniently. But they are compelled to abide by the resolution communicated to you in the despatches of my Predecessor. Considering the demands on the Military Force of the Country, they cannot allow it to be employed for the pi eservation of order in New Zealand, unless the Colony is willing to contribute at least a share of its costs. They remain therefore of opinion that the general charge of lodging Officers and men, including the maintenance and repair of Barracks and the construction of such additional Barracks as may be required, ought to be borne by the the Colony, as in the neighbouring Australasian Provinces. If your Advisers and the Legislature are not disposed to make provision accordingly, the only alternative will be the withdrawal of the Troops. I leave it to yourself and the Officer in Command to consider in what manner, and with what interval this had better be effected. T have &c, (Signed) Stanley. Governor Gore Browne, C. 8., &c. ; &c, &c.