14

A.—No. 1

DESPATCHES PROM THE SECRETARY OP STATE

Napiee Peotince. Present Distribution. Proposed Distribution. Rank and File. Rank and Filo. Napier, l-12th 72 Napier, l-12th 127 „ 2-14th ... ... ... 119 Abandoning Wairoa and Waipawamate, and with191 drawing whole of Detachment 2-14th. Wairoa, l-12th 62 Waipamate, 2-14th 55 117 Total 308 Wellington, 20th August, 1866.

Enclosure 4 in Sub-Enclosure. Governor Sir Geoege Geet, K.C.8., to Major-General Chute. Sie, — Government House, Wellington, 22nd August, 1866. In reply to your letter of tho 20th instant, No. 272-66, I have the honor to inform you that I consider tho posts hitherto occupied at Manawapou, Waingongoro, Opunake, and Warea, should be retained, and that garrisons are not necessary at New Plymouth, Wanganui, or Napier. I have, &c, The Honorable Major-General Chute. G. Geet.

Enclosure 5 in Sub-Enclosure. Major-General Chute to Governor Sir Geoege Geet, K.C.B. Sib, — Head Quarters, Wellington, sth September, 1866. In forwarding for your Excellency's consideration, the copy of a communication I have this day received from the Under Secretary of State for War, relative to the withdrawal of Her Majesty's troops from New Zealand, I have the honor to request that your Excellency will be pleased to inform me as to whether I am at liberty to make any further arrangements for the departure of Her Majesty's troops beyond the embarkation of the 2-14th Eegiment and Head-Quarter Wing of the 50th Eegiment, about to proceed to Australia in compliance with the authority conveyed in your Excellency's letter of the 18th ultimo. I beg more particularly to invito your Excellency's attention to the third paragraph of the Under Secretary's letter, in which I am instructed to send from the Colony, as speedily as possible, unless the required provision shall have been made, every soldier, whether Infantry, Artillery, or Engineer, in excess of one regiment, and that regiment also, unless I am informed by your Excellency that the sum of £50,000 per annum has been devoted to Native purposes; and I beg to request that I may be informed whether it is the intention of the Government of this Colony to contribute the sum of £40 a-head for infantry, and £55 for artillery, for any troops remaining in excess of one battalion, and also whether it is their intention to devote the sum of £50,000 per annum for the special benefit of the Native population. I would further request your Excellency's permission to send home immediately all Her Majesty's troops in excess of those for whom the Colonial Government may make provision, in accordance with the instructions contained in the enclosed Despatch. With regard to the two last paragraphs of the Secretary of State's letter, I would observe, that on receiving your Excellency's authority to withdraw the troops from the outposts they now occupy, I shall at once be enabled to arrange for the departure of the Military Train. I have, &c, T. Chute, His Excellency Sir George Grey, K.C.B. Major-General.

No. 16. Copy of a DESPATCH from the Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon to Governor Sir George Grey, K.C.B. (No. 56.) Sir, — Downing Street, 28th December, 1866. I have to acknowledge your Despatch No. 105, of the 15th of October, in which you urge a reconsideration of the decision adopted by the Secretary of State for War that the Head Quarters of General Chute should remain at Auckland. The immediate question raised by your Despatch appears to have long since practically settled by the removal of General Chute's Head Quarters to Wellington, in accordance with your wishes ; and my Despatch No. 49, of the Ist of December, will have, I hope, removed some misconception which I think led you to attach so much importance to General Chute's presence in your own immediate neighbourhood.