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D.—No. 5.

Commissioners of the Admiralty enclosing a copy of the instructions issued by their Lordships to Commodore Sir William Wiseman relative to the employment of the officers and men of Her Majesty's ships in operations on shore. I have, &c, Governor Sir George Grey, X.C.8., &c, <fee, &c. Eewaed Cabdwell. Enclosure 1 to No. 37. Lord C. Paget to Sir F. Rogers. Sir,— Admiralty, loth July, 1864. I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to send you herewith, for the information of Mr. Secretary Cardwell, a copy of a letter this day addressed to Commodore Sir W. Wiseman, the senior officer of Her Majesty's ships in New Zealand, relative to the employment of the officers and men of Her Majesty's ships in operations on shore. I am, &c, Sir F. Eogers, Bart, &c, Colonial Office. C. Paget. Enclosure 2 to No. 37. Lord C. Paget to Commodore Sir William Wisemax. Sir,— Admiralty, loth July, 1864. With reference to my letter of this day's date, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you that while they have conveyed to you the expression of their approbation of your own conduct and that of the force under your orders, they would view with concern the continued employment of the officers and men of your small squadron in operations on shore. My Lords are aware that in all the operations on the Waikato, and in the rivers and creeks in the neighboiu-hood of Auckland, the co-operation of the navy was essential to the success of the army, and that, as at Rangariri, when combined attacks are made, the officers and men of the navy might properly be employed in the assault of works, and it would obviously be impossible for them under such circumstances to remain passive spectators of the struggles of their comrades of the army, and to withhold any assistance they were able to afford, but my Lords must again impress upon you the serious inconvenience which may arise from having Her Majesty's ships rendered inefficient by the loss of so many of their best officers and men. Their Lordships trust that you will not lose sight of this consideration, and that while co-operating with the army you will confine such co-operation to matters immediately connected with the naval service, such as keeping up the communications by water, conveyance of stores and provisions, lauding and working heavy guns, &c, and, except under the most pressing circumstances, you will not detach officers and men to take part in operations on shore, which should, more properly, be left to the land forces. I am, &c, Commodore Sir AVilliam Wiseman, Bart., C.8., &C. C. Paget. No. 38. Sib,— Downing Street, 26th July, 1804. I have received your despatches of the numbers and dates noted in the margin. I have read with deep regret the account which you give of the attack upon the Pah at Tauranga. It is indeed painful to reflect that so many brave officers and men should have perished in the attack; and that the brilliant example of Lieutenant-Colonel Booth, and the heroism and devotion of Captain Hamilton and Commander Hay, and the other officers to which Sir Duncan Cameron so feelingly does justice in his despatch, should not have been attended with success. It will greatly add to the concern which such a result is but too well calculated to produce, if any encouragement shall have been drawn from the circumstances of this attack by the Natives in arms against Her Majesty's authority to persist in their rebellion : or if Natives hesitating and uncertain shall have been induced to join the rebels. I have also read with great concern the report of Colonel Warre, C.8., stating that a reconnoitringparty, under the command of Captain Lloyd, of the 57th Begimeut, fell into a strong Native ambuscade, about ten miles from New Plymouth, on the morning of the 6th, and being completely surprised were attacked at a great disadvantage; and that Captain Lloyd, and six of the 57th Kegiment and Taranaki Militia (Military Settlers), were unfortunately killed, and twelve of the same corps wounded ; and further, that in this instance the Natives had mutilated the dead and carried away the heads of Captain Lloyd and five of his companions who were slain. On the other hand, it is a source of sincere satisfaction to receive your report of the action at Maketu, in which the friendly Natives rendered so great a service to the cause of loyalty and order; and the brilliant affair in which Captain Sliortt, with the small force under his orders at the time inflicted so signal a repulse upon the Natives who attacked him at Sentry Hill in the Taranaki district. I have now received the full account of that difference which I am much concerned to see has arisen between yourself and your Responsible Advisers with respect to the treatment of Ti Oriori and ■ the other prisoners detained in the hulk " Marion." I have also read and considered the despatch of Brigadier General Carey, and the enclosed letters of Mr. Mair, informing you that Rewi had expressed his desire to make peace and live quietly by the side of the white people,'but that he is afraid he would place himself too much at the General's mercy by giving up his arms; together with the Memorandum of your Ministers, giving their reasons for attaching very little weight to the information so conveyed to you. It appears that you are desirous of releasing Te Oriori and some other of the prisoners upon their parole, in the firm conviction " that any captive New Zealand Chiefs, generously treated, would never break conditions as to residence, or otherwise, into which they had entered, to obtain freedom from actual imprisonment;" and that " their long imprisonment, without any announcement being made by the Government as to what their ultimate fate is to be, is exercising a very prejudicial effect upon the

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DESPATCHES FROM BIGHT HON. E. CARDWELL, M.P.

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