D.—No. 5.

Enclosure 1 to No. 44. Mr. Romaine to the Under Secbetaby of State ron the Colonies. Sib,— Admiralty, 18th July, 1864. By a communication my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have received, from the Secretary of State for War, it appears that the Commissariat department in New Zealand has, under the authority of the Lieuteuant-General Commanding, purchased the " Alexandra " steam vessel, of 80 horse power, at a cost of £13,000, for the conveyance of troops and stores between the Manukau and the ports on the Western Coast. The War Department proposes that the cost of the vessel and a moiety of her working expenses should be defrayed from Naval Votes —the Colonial Government defraying the remaining moiety, and undertaking the working of the vessel, under the instructions of the Commissariat Department, independently of any control by the naval officer specially sent out from this country to superintend all matters on behalf of the Admiralty connected with the Transport Department. My Lords are in communication with the Lords of the Treasury in regard to the charge of this expenditure for which no provision has been made in the Estimates of the present year, and as regards the portion of the working expenses proposed to be shared between the Imperial and Colonial Governments. But my Lords request you will state to Mr. Secretary Cardwell that they see grave objections to arrangements of this kind being entered into without the control of the Transport Officer on the spot, if any portion of the expense is to fall on Naval Votes. To the Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office, I have, &c, &c, &c, &c. W. G. Rojiaine. Enclosure 2 to No. 44. Sir T. Rogers to the Secretary to the Admibalty. Sib,— Downing Street, 2nd August, 1864. I am directed by Mr. Secretary Cardwell to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 18th ult., informing him of the purchase by the Commissariat Department in New Zealand of the "Alexandra" steam vessel, for the conveyance of troops and stores between the Manukau and the ports on the Western Coast, and stating that their Lordships entertain grave objections to the arrangements proposed by the War Department for defraying the cost and working expenses of this vessel. Mr. Cardwell has no knowledge of this transaction except through your letter ; but he will, if their Lordships desire it, convey their views to the Colonial Government. I have, <fee, The Secretary to the Admiralty. T. Rogebs. Enclosure 3 to No. 44. Mr. Romaine to Under Secretaey or State fob Colonies. Sib, — Admiralty, August 13th, 1864. With reference to your letter of the 2nd instant, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to request you will state to the Secretary of State for the Colonies that my Lords would be glad if lie would communicate with the Colonial Government of New Zealand on the subject of the purchase by the Commissariat Department of the steamer " Alexandra," for the conveyance of troops and stores between Manukau and the ports on the Western Coasts of New Zealand. The Under Secretary of State for the Colonies, 1 have, &c, &c, &c, &c. W. G. Romaine. No. 45. Sir,— Downing Street, 22nd August, 1864 I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatch of the 9th May, No. 76, forwarding a Statement drawn up by Mr. Baker, containing the narrative of a friendly Native named Henri Taiwhanga, who was captured by the Rebels at Eangiaohia, but subsequently released. I have, &c, Governor Sir George Grey, X.C.8., &c., &c, &c. Edward Cardwell. No. 46. Sib,— Downing Street, 23rd August, 1864. 1 have to acknowledge the receipt of your Despatches, Nos. 80 and 85, of the 26th and 30th May; the first giving me information as to the origin and opinions of a body of Fanatics, who had recently arisen in the neighbourhood of Warigauui; the second reporting that one party of them was nearly entirely destroyed by friendly Natives, in the attempt to descend the Whanganui River to attack the natives. 1 have much pleasure in again expressing my satisfaction at the excellent conduct of the friendly Natives, and I trust that their conduct on the present occasion, together with the gallantry of Captain Shortt and his detachment of the 57th Regiment near Taranaki, to which you have referred in your Despatch No. 80, may have effectually suppressed the odious fanaticism which you have brought to my notice in these Despatches. I have, &c, Governor Sir George Grey, X.C.8., &C., &C., &c. Edward Cabdwell.

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

22