NEW ZEALAND CONTINGENTS IN SOUTH AFRICA (CORRESPONDENCE FROM AGENT-GENERAL WITH REFERENCE TO).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1900 Session I, H-06h

H.—6h.

■ 1900. NEW ZEALAND.

NEW ZEALAND CONTINGENTS IN SOUTH AFRICA (CORRESPONDENCE FROM AGENT-GENERAL WITH REFERENCE TO).

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Leave.

The Agent-General to the Hon. the Premier. Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, (Memorandum.—No. 1510.) London, S.W., 30th June, 1900. Gratuity to Colonial Troops. I beg to enclose herewith, for the information of the Hon. the Minister of Defence, two copies of Special Army Order, dated the 16th instant, providing for a gratuity to non-commissioned officers and men of the colonial contingents from Australasia and Canada, and of the Imperial irregular corps raised in South Africa. The gratuity is £5 when discharged medically unfit, or on account of their services being no longer required in connection with the war, or at the termination of their engagement. Walter Kennaway (For the Agent-General for New Zealand).

ARMY ORDER. Special. War Office, 16th June, 1900. The following instructions are promulgated to the army with the approval' of the Secretary of State for War: — Gratuity to Colonial Troops serving in South Africa. Non-commissioned officers and men of the colonial contingents from Australasia and Canada, and of the Imperial irregular corps raised in South Africa for the present war and in receipt of the ordinary army rates of pay, will be entitled to a gratuity of £5 when discharged medically unfit, or on account of their services being no longer required in connection with the war, or at the termination of their engagement. If a non-commissioned officer or man dies while serving, the gratuity will be credited to his estate. This gratuity will be in addition to the gratuity (if any) given to the troops at the end of the war. Wolseley, P.M., Commander-in-Chief.

Eev. G. T. Evans to the Agent-General. Dear Sir, — Cavalry Barracks, Shorncliffe, Kent, 27th June, 1900. May I ask you as a favour to forward to me any New Zealand papers which you can spare for the use of the invalided colonials in this camp. The New Zealand men are very anxious to obtain news of their country. You will be pleased to hear that the conduct of the colonials here has been most exemplary, and that they have won the admiration of the whole camp. One of the New-Zealanders, Private Towgood, returns to South Africa about the 30th instant. I shall be also pleased to receive any gifts of khaki prayer-books, or money to purchase the same, for the use of the men. Perhaps some colonials known to you may help in this way. Yours, &c, G. T. Evans, The Agent-General for New Zealand, Acting-Chaplain London. (T. Chaplain, N.S. Wales Forces). Dl9OO/3334.] Approximate Cost of Paper— Preparation, not given; printing (1,375 copies), 17s, 6a.

By Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9oo. Price 3d.]