E.-No. 2.

date, shews that such is the case. Ministers, or some of them, must have known that the letter was written, and must now have forgotten it, for the Governor has a perfect recollection of adding the following words, to those in their Memorandum, at the request of Ministers " The consequent reduction of some Posts, and the total withdrawal of others." Ministers also knew that the instructions contained in their Memorandum of the 19th of May had been carried out. They knew that "VVanganui had been reinforced— that Hawke's Bay had been re-in-forced—that military settlers had been located at Tauranga, —and that various poste had been reduced or withdrawn. The Governor further thinks that his conversation with the Minister for Colonial Defence on the 4th of September, can hardly be called a casual conversation. In it, the only two points of importance regarding military matters which had not been settled, were arranged. The words of the paragraph, in which these were to be communicated to the General were settled, and it was arranged that the Governor was not to send the letter; until Mr. Eussell had consulted his colleagues on these points, and that if the Governor did not hear from him before the evening, he was to understand that they acquiesced in the arrangements concluded between the Governor and himself. Late in the evening, after the Offices had closed, the Governor, hearing nothing further on the matter, entered the letter of the 4th of September in the letter book with his own hand, as there was no one in the office, and sent it on. The Governor would again point out to Ministers that in their Memorandum of the 19th of May, which was communicated to the General, they left it to Sir D. Cameron to carry on such operations at Taranaki and Wnnganui as might be found practicable, regard being had to the number of troops that might be available after certain changes had been made. Ministers also know that the General did not think it expedient to carry on operations during the winter months. On the 4th of September they were aware that the General was beginning his preparations for a campaign, and agreed to give aid to the extent the General had then asked. On the 28th, they agreed to lend the ' Prince Alfred' to the military authorities for a few trips. Upon the 30th of September Ministers forwarded for transmission to the Secretary of State a complaint against the Governor for withholding information from them, which he had not himself; without first asking him if he had such information, or why he withheld it; and on the sth of October the General for the first time acquainted the Governor with the Force which would be available, and it then became possible, when further information had been obtained, to form those very plans which Ministers complained the Governor had not communicated to them. He trusts that this explanation will satisfy his Responsible Advisers that they have fallen into an error on this subject. G. GfiKY. Government House, Auckland, 13th October, 1864. P.S. —The Governor transmits copies of all his letters to the General between the 4th and 30th of September, 18(54. Enclosure 1 to Xo. 5. Government House, Auckland, 19th May, 1864. y lRi In reply to your letter of the 15th instant, I have the honor to state that I entirely concur in your recommendation that no offensive operations should be carried on at Tauranga, at all events for the present, I also approve your suggestion that two posts should be held there, one at Te Papa of 500 men, and one of 150 men on the site of the Gate Pa. As you observe, this arrangement will place at your disposal, a force of about 600 men, who would be available as a reserve. Without doubt, it is in the present state of the country, an object of the greatest importance, that you should have as large a reserve as practicable at your command to aid any settlement that may be suddenly and unexpectedly threatened. You point out that the reserve of about 600 men will be increased when the Posts "between Drury and the Frontier can be reduced, and when a rise in the river may enable you to order a portion of the men now employed in the Transport service back to their Regiments. I think the services of an additional number of men may be obtained by doing away with some of the Posts between Auckland and the Waikato, and between the Waikato and the Thames. I will, when T have obtained further information, state the Posts which I think may be withdrawn, As you are of opinion that the Force stationed on the line between the Waipa and Horotiu is not under present circumstances more than sufficient to secure our possession of the country which has been conquered, I think that force should be maintained a; present at its existing strength; but, I should wish the Officer in command of it, in the event of your absence, to be empowered to avail himself of any opportunity that may appear of striking a blow or of harrassing the enemy. I am anxious that as soon as you can you should increase the strength of the Garrison of Wanganui by two companies, or 300 men, if they can be spared, as there is much reason to fear that that settlement may be attacked by hostile Natives. "When this has been done, and men are disposable for the purpose, I should wish a reinforcement of 300 men to be sent to Hawke's Bay. With regard to future operations, I should wish now that the Waikato tribes have been conquered that such military operations should be carried on in the Country between Taranaki and Wanganui as you may find practicable, having regard to the number of troops that may be available after the substitution of river transport for land transport. The consequent reduction of some Posts, and the total withdrawal of others. I should be glad if you could make it a part of your arrangements to allow Government Military

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PAPERS RELATIVE TO NATIVE AFFAIRS.