A.—No. 1.

2. It will be found that, among other topics, my address of this year contains a fuller account than could be furnished in my Despatches No. 159 of the 26th December ultimo, and No. 20 of the 18th February ultimo, of my recent official visits respectively to the Hot Lakes of the North Island, and to the Sounds of the West Coast of the Middle Island of New Zealand. As these two regions, though among the most remarkable in the world, are very imperfectly known, I venture to suggest that copies of my address should be forwarded to the Geographical and Geological Societies of London. 3. I transmit at the same time two copies of the Third Volume (for 1870) of the "Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute." It will be found that this volume, like the two previous volumes already forwarded to the Colonial Office, comprises a large mass of valuable and practical information respecting this country. I have, &c, The Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberley. G. P. BOWEN. P.S.—I annex copies of the "Third Annual Report of the New Zealand " Institute," as presented to the Colonial Parliament. G. P. B.

Enclosure 2.

Enclosure 3. Vide Journals of H. ofE., 1871, G. No. 17.

No. 11. Copt of a DESPATCH from Governor Sir G. P. Bowen, G.C.M.G., to the Right Hon. the Earl of Kimberlet. (No. 90.) Government House, Wellington, My Lord, — New Zealand, 28th September, 1871. I have the honor to transmit herewith the Annual Reports showing the present state of the Militia and Volunteers and of the Armed Constabulary Corps in New Zealand. 2. The Militia has never yet been enrolled in the South or Middle Island, where there is no internal danger; but the Returns show that there are 2,736 Volunteers in that Island. It will be seen that " the strength (all ranks) of the Militia " called out for actual service and for training and exercise," in the North Island alone, is 4,263. There are also in the North Island 3,832 Volunteers and 723 officers and men of the Armed Constabulary. It will be further perceived that Colonel Harington, the Inspector, reports that the percentage of "efficients " in the New Zealand Volunteers is 74, a large proportion when compared with the percentage elsewhere. 3. It will thus appear that there are now enrolled and armed in New Zealand, — (1.) Militia ... ... ... ... 4,263 (2.) Volunteers ... ... ... ... 6,568 (3.) Armed Constabulary ... ... ... 723 Total of Europeans ... ... ... 11,554 4. Moreover, about four thousand (4,000) fighting men of the loyal Maori clans in the North Island are armed by the Government, and have done good service in supporting the authority of the Queen. 5. It will thus be seen that the entire armed force of New Zealand at the present time amounts to above fifteen thousand (15,000) officers and men in a population (European and Maori) of something under three hundred thousand (300,000) souls. In other words, more than one-twentieth part of the inhabitants of this Colony are armed and drilled in support of the Government. This is as if the regular troops, Militia, and Volunteers in the United Kingdom were to number one-twentieth part of the entire population of thirty-one (31) millions, namely, one million and a half (1,500,000) officers and men. 6. Again, as will be perceived from the annexed Return, the total cost of the Departments of Defence and Native Affairs during the three years ending 30th June, 1871, amounted to £972,823, or a yearly average of £324,274. This sum does not include the annual interest (about £180,000) of the war loan of three

Enclosures 1 & 2. Vide Appendix to Journals of H. of R., 1871, Or. No. 5 and G. No. sb.

Enclosure 3. Vide Appendix to Journals of H. of E., 1871.

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DESPATCHES FROM THE GOVERNOR OF