A—No. 6a,

exertion has been made to raise the 65th Regiment to 1200 men, the strength fixed upon for the Force to be maintained in New Zealand, and that a Draft of 167 men will shortly be despatched to the Colony. I have, &c, (Signed) Edwaed Lugabd. H. Merivale, Esq., C.8., &c, &c, &c. MR. MBRIVALE TO THE SECRETARY TO THE ADMIRALTY. Downing Street, 12th December, 1859. Sir,— With reference to the correspondence noted in the margin, I am directed by the Duke of' Newcastle to transmit to you for the consideration of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty copies of two Despatches from the Governor of New Zealand, upon the subject of the Defeeces of the Colony, ■ including an urgent application for a Steam Gun Boat of the Class described by Commander Campion i in his Letter of the 21st July. ' The Duke of Newcastle is prepared to decline the propoeal made by the Government of New • Zealand to provide for the expense of such a vessel from the Colonial Treasury, (a proposal evidently ■ suggested by the Admiralty Letter of January, 1857, referred to by the Governor) believing as he does, that so rigid an appropriation of a Queen's Ship to the service of a particular Colony, is open to serious ; objection. But at the same time he would call their Lordships' attention to the conviction entertained by the Governor and other Authorities of New Zealand, that the presence of a Gun Boat capable of entering the harbours and conveying small bodies of Troops to any point upon the coast, would, at the present time, materially lessen the danger of Native disturbances, as well as the amount of Military Force necessary for the internal safety of the Colony. I am, &c, (Signed) H. Merivale. The Secretary to the Admiralty. MR. ROMAINE TO MR. MERIVALE. Admiralty, 13th December, 1859. Sir, — Having laid before my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty your Letter of the 12th instant, with the enclosures from the Governor of New Zealand, respecting the Defences of the Colony, I am commanded by my Lords to acquaint you, for the information of the Duke of Newcastle, that His Grace's wishes as regards the employment of a Gun Boat on the shores of New Zealand will ba taken into consideration, with the view to a compliance therewith, at an early period. I am, &c, (Signed) W. G. Romaine. H. Merivale, Esq., C.8., &c, &c, &c. COPY OF A DESPATCH FROM THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE TO GOVERNOR GORE BROWNE, C.B. Downing Street, 3rd March, 1860. With reference to that part of my Despatch No. 5 of the 17th of January last, in which you ] were informed that the question of supplying Guns, &c, for arming the Batteries in New Zealand was ( under the consideration of the Secretary for War, I enclose for your information copies of the corres- ; pondence which has since passed upon the subject between this Office and the War Department. You will see that as your Responsible Advisers had determined, as reported in your Despatch ' No. 89, of the 18th of October, no longer to incur the responsibility of defraying the cost of erecting military Defences not authorised by the General Assembly, Mr. Secretary Herbert considers that the application which has been made by your Government for Guns for the contemplated Batteries is virtually withdrawn. I have, &c, (Signed) Newcastle. Governor Gore Browne, 0.8., &c, &c, &c.

(Enclosure,) Colonial Office, !3th Nov., ll«i. Admiralty, Kith Nov., lira. Colonial Office, 6th Dec., IMB. Admiralty, 7th. Dec, 18J8. No. 61. 20 July 1659, N0764. 4 Aug., mat.

(Enclosure.)

(No. 16.) W. 0., 7th Jan., 1860. C7o. _ to W. l>., W. 0.,2:' laoo.

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