Militia and Volunteer Office. Wellington 28th. October 1870. Sir, I am directed by the Honble. Defence Minister to inform you that the new regulations for the Volunteer Forces of the Colony, will shortly be published; and that in order to obtain a more accurate record of the drills of the various corps, provision has been made for an Officer of the Staff to keep records of all Government parades. As this and other returns and correspondence will involve a considerable amount of extra work, the Government have decided that all the correspondence of a District shall, for the future, be conducted by a paid Officer of the Government Staff. I am instructed by the Honble. Defence Minister to thank you for the services which you have so gratutiously rendered since you have commanded the Nelson District, and to inform you that for the future the correspondence will be conducted between the Government and the Adjutant of the District. I have the honour to be Sir, Your obedient servant (Signed) Philip Haughton Lt. Colonel, Inspector of Militia & Vols.