to many of the natives, teach them our language,
break them of their native habits and customs,
promote their civilization, and greatly relieve the
Home and Colonial Governments of the increased
anxieties their presence in the Colony would
occasion.

C. Brown, Esq.,
&c., &c., &c.

New Plymouth.

New Plymouth, New Zealand,
8th February, 1859.

Sir,—I have the honor to transmit for the information of Your Excellency, a copy of a communication to the Right Honorable the Secretary
of State for the Colonies, recommending the raising
of native troops in this Colony, for service at
the Cape of Good Hope or in India.

As your Excellency’s opinions on the subject
are referred to in it in your former capacity of
Governor of this Colony, and in your present one
of Governor of the Cape of Good Hope, I have
taken the liberty of forwarding direct the enclosed,
that your Excellency may have an early opportunity, should you deem it advisable, of affording the
Home Government the benefit of your valuable
views and opinions on a subject, which I imagine
long since received the full consideration of your
Excellency in all its details, and which I have
received this time, considering it a favorable one
for developing the capacity of any of Her Majesty’s
subjects to defend the Empire.

I have, &c.,
(Signed) CHARLES BROWN.

His Excellency Governor Sir G. Grey,
Cape of Good Hope.

Government House,
Cape Town, 5th July, 1858.

Sir,—I am desired by His Excellency the
Governor to acknowledge your letter of the 8th of
February last, transmitting a copy of a communication to the Right Honorable the Secretary of
State for the Colonies, recommending the raising
of native troops in New Zealand for service at the
Cape of Good Hope, or in India.

In reply, I have to inform you that His Excellency
has written home a despatch on the subject, in
which he stated his belief that the New Zealanders would make excellent soldiers, and that
you yourself could be relied on as a good and
energetic officer, and that for many reasons it
would be advantageous to enrol such regiments,
but that, as there are already so many races in this
Colony, His Excellency would deem it inadvisable
expressly to raise a New Zealand regiment, for
service at the Cape of Good Hope; although there
would be no objection to such a regiment being
raised for general service and coming here for the
usual time, in the ordinary course of military relief.

I have, &c.,
(Signed) CHARLES J. BOYLE,
Private Secretary.

C. Brown, Esq.,
Taranaki, New Zealand.

In my late official capacity I found the native
police more obedient under discipline than would
be readily imagined, considering the proximity of
their native friends and relatives; and in my intercourse with the natives now extending over many
years, I have found them trustworthy, truthful,
patient and reasonably honest; the rules dis-
honesty the exception. Active in travelling and
in the use of their arms, and able to undergo great
hunger and fatigue. I believe them capable under
good officers of making excellent troops; more
especially in warmer climates, as I think the race
originally a tropical one.

Upwards of five thousand men could be raised,
if the influences that might be brought to bear
were made use of, and a judicious distribution of
commissions made to chiefs, or sons of chiefs, who
might lend their assistance.

The embodiment however of one regiment would
be an advisable limit to commence with; what to
a great extent must be considered an experiment,
and on this point, as indeed on the whole subject,
I would defer to the opinion of His Excellency
Sir George Grey, who had it under consideration
while Governor of New Zealand, at the time the
Native Force Ordinance was passed, making provision for the maintenance of discipline in any
troops raised in the Colony, and who can best
judge of the fitness of such troops for service at
the seat of his present Government, the Cape of
Good Hope.

Should my proposition be acted on, I beg to
offer my services in raising and commanding
portion of the force.

I have, &c.,
(Signed) CHARLES BROWN,
Captain of the New Plymouth
Battalion of New Zealand Militia.

The Right Hon.
the Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Colonial Secretary’s Office,
Auckland, 22nd March, 1858.

Sir,—I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your letter of the 8th ultimo, enclosing
for transmission to the Right Honorable the Secretary of State for the Colonies a communication
recommending the raising of troops from among
Her Majesty’s native subjects in New Zealand
for service at the Cape of Good Hope or in India.

In reply, I have to inform you that that communication and a copy of your letter have been forwarded by the Governor to the Secretary of State.

I have, &c.,
E. W. STAFFORD.