2

A.—6

No. 2. Memorandum for His Excellenct. Ministers present their respectful compliments to the Marquis of Normanby, and thank him for forwarding a copy of the letter from Sir William Jervois on the subject of his visit to New Zealand, for the purpose of reporting on the defences of the colony. Ministers regret that the services of the " Hinemoa " being required here, it is not in their power to send that vessel to Hobart Town, with a view to her being placed at the disposal of Sir William Jervois. Wellington. 28th November, 1877. G. Gret.

No. 3. Copt of Telegram from His Excellency the Governor of New Zealand to His Excellency Sir W. F. D. Jervois. "New Zealand, 29th November, 1877. " Government will be unable to send ' Hinemoa' to Hobart Town. Regret delay in answering. " Please telegraph when you start. " Normanbt."

No. 4. Memoranda on covering sheet to Telegram. The Governor requests Ministers will inform him as to the answer they would wish him to return to the enclosed telegram. The Governor thinks it would bo right to grant the request. N. Ministers regret that the " Hinemoa," as they have already said, is required for other purposes. G. Gret.

Enclosure to No. 4. Copt of Telegram received by His Excellency the Governor of New Zealand from His Excellency Sir W. F. D. Jervois. " Adelaide, 29th November. " Can your Government place 'Hinemoa' at my disposal during January, to visit your ports, commenc"ing at Bluff? " H.E. Sir W. F. D. Jervois, " Governor."

No. 5. Memoeandum for the Hon. Sir George Geet, K.C.B. The Governor presents his compliments to Sir George Grey, and, in reply to the Memorandum of Ministers, in which they state that the services of the " Hinemoa " cannot be given to His Excellency Sir William Jervois during the time that he is employed in examining and reporting on the defences of Dunedin, Lyttelton, Wellington, and Auckland Harbours, during the month of January, the Governor would point out that the services of Sir William Jervois and Colonel Scratchley were obtained through the Secretary of State at the request of the late Government [Memorandum, 17th May, 1877], on the understanding that the remuneration to Sir William Jervois and Colonel Scratchley should be at the same rate as that paid by the Australian colonies. The Governor would observe that the harbours to be examined are large, and that it would be difficult, if not impossible, for the work to be properly completed without the officers employed having a special steamer at their disposal. The Governor would wish also to point out that some consideration is due to the position of Sir William Jervois as the Governor of a neighbouring colony, visiting New Zealand not for his own pleasure, but at the request and for the service of this colony. The Governor would imply, from the curt answer of Ministers to the request made by Sir William Jervois for the use of the " Hinemoa," that they do not approve of the object for which he is about to visit tho colony. Should such be the case, if Ministers will state their wishes in writing, the Governor will Jat once communicate with Sir AVilliam Jervois, and request him to put off his visit; but, if the work is to proceed, the Governor can conceive no service on which the " Hinemoa" could be more properly employed, and Ministers have not informed him of any special services which would prevent her being so employed. The Governor would request a reply as soon as possible, as he must communicate with Sir William Jervois at once. Government House, Wellington, Ist December, 1877. Normanbt.