ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

109

A.—No. la.

all those places were abandoned by the military authorities without any notice having been given to the Colonial Government, and were generally sold to private parties and destroyed. 19. The proper system would have been, to have given the Colonial Government notice of the date at which the military buildings were to have been abandoned, and to have given that Government the opportunity of purchasing on fair terms buildings wliich might have been essential to the safety of the Queen's subjects. It was rather as if an enemy's country were being abandoned, and it was requisite to injure them, and destroy buildings they might use for military purposes, than as if an offset of the British nation, hitherto carefully tended by the Mother Country, was now being deprived of military assistance, and left to defend itself against enemies with whom a long and indecisive military struggle had been carried on. 20. I feel sure your Grace will regret that this system was so unnecessarily pursued, as it will take a long period of time to erase from the minds of the inhabitants of this Colony a sense of having been treated with a harshness which was neither requisite nor judicious. I have, &c, His Grace the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos. G. GREY.

Enclosure in No. 15. Major-General Chute to Governor Sir Geoege Geet, K.C.B. Sie, — Head Quarters, Auckland, 11th June, 1867. I have the honor to forward for your Excellency's information, the copy of a letter I have addressed to the Under Secretary of State for War, in transmitting copies of the correspondence I have recently had the honor of having with your Excellency on the subject of the distribution of the 18th Eegiment in this command. His Excellency Sir George Grey, K.C.8., I have, &c, Auckland. T. Chute, Maj or- General.

Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure in No. 15. Major-General Chute to the Undee Seceetaey of State. (No. 130-67.) Sie, — Head Quarters, Auckland, 11th June, 1867. I have the honor to forward, for the information of the Bight Honorable the Secretary of State for War, the enclosed copies of a correspondence which has taken place between the Governor of New Zealand and myself, on the subject of the distribution of the 18th Begiment, in this command. I am not aware what steps the Governor may have considered it necessary to take in relation to this correspondence; but I think it right, as His Excellency may by this mail have addressed the Secretary of State for the Colonies on the subject, to place the Secretary of State for War in possession of the correspondence, so far as it has gone, and, should it be necessary, will report further on the matter. I have to state that in compliance with His Excellency's wishes, the 18th Eegiment will remain at Whanganui, awaiting his instructions regarding their destination; and lam happy to be able to add that the Besident Transport Officer has reported to me, he is in hopes no loss to the public will be incurred consequent on the withdrawal of my instructions for the transport of the detachments of the 18th Begiment to Auckland and Taranaki. I have, &c, T. CnuTE, The Under Secretary of State, War Office, London. Major-General.

Enclosures. Major-General CnuTE to Governor Sir Geoege Geet, K.C.B. (113-67.) Sie, — Head Quarters, Auckland, 30th May, 1867. I have the honor to state for your Excellency's information, and with reference to your letter of the Ist April last, that in the absence of any instructions from your Excellency regarding the distribution of the 2-18th Begiment, I propose locating that corps for the winter, or until orders for their disposal are received from home, as follows, viz., head quarters and five companies, at Auckland; two companies at New Plymouth ; three companies at Whanganui. Should your Excellency desire any different distribution of this regiment, I shall be glad to receive your instructions. I have, &c, T. Chute, His Excellency Sir George Grey, K.C.B. Major-General. 28