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MILITAEY DEFENCE. COPY OP A MEMORANDUM BY ME. STAFFORD. Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, 25th June, 1858. military. With reference to Lord Stanley's Despatch, No. 2, of the 12th March last, His Excellency's Advisers have to remark that they still adhere to the opinion expressed in their Memorandum, marked Military, of the 6tb May, 1857, that New Zealand is at present unable to bear the expense sought to be cast upon her, of providing Barrack accommodation. As however Lord Stanley has announced on the part of the Imperial Government that the Troops will be withdrawn if such accommodation is not provided, and as great calamities to the Colony must be expected to ensue if it be left without Troops, His Excellency's Ministers will propose to the Legislature, now in Session, to vote a sum on account of the expenses of Barrack accommodation in New Zealand. At the same time, it is necessary to state that the charge thus imposed on the already heavily burthened resources of a young Colony, will tend materially to check its progress, and delay the arrival of the time when it will be able to make any large or permanent provision for its Military Defence. (Signed) E. W. Stafford. COPY OF A DESPATCH FROM COL. WXNYARD, C.8., TO GOVERNOR GORE BROWNE, C.B. Auckland, 23rd August, 1858. Sir— Mth June, 1858, J n reference to my communications as set forth in the margin, founded on instructions from w °" '***• the Home Authorities, respecting which I beg leave to observe, I as yet remain uninformed of the rio. i 725. c ' ' ' views taken thereon by the Colonial Government, I have now to state for your Excellency's infor28th June, 1858. 'nation that I have just ascertained, no grant by the Imperial Patliament has been passed for the No. 1745. repair and maintenance of Barracks and other public Buildings or for the Lodging-money for Officers vuu letter en- an( i Jfl en \ n thie Command. \ugust 1868. " Under these circumstances, I trust I may be pardoned if I presume to request an early reply to my Letters above alluded to, as it is absolutely necessary some final decision should be come to before the termination of the current Quarter. I have, &c, (Signed) R. H. Wynyard, Colonel Commanding the Forces in New Zealand. His Excellency the Governor, &c, &c, &c. Commissariat, Auckland, 23rd August, 185 S. Sir,— (Enclonue.) I have the honor to request you will bring to the notice of the Officer Commanding the Troops in this Colony, the circumstance that no Vote appears to h;ivo been taken in the Annual Estimates for the current year for Lodging Money in this Colony, which was estimated at £5,122. The whole amount of Vote No. 7, iv which this allowance is included, allotted to New Zealand, is £1532, which is less than the sum estimated for Salaries, Rents, and Contingencies; leaving the Lodging Allowance totally unprovided for. I therefore respectfully submit for his consideration, if it is not contemplated by the Authorities at Home, that all expenses under this head should be met and provided for by the Colonial Governmt. I have, &c, (Signed) 11. Stanley Jones, Assistant Commissary General, The Major of Brigade, Controller of Army Expenditure. &C.j &c, Auckland. COPY OF A MEMORANDUM BY MR. STAFFORD. Colonial Secretary's Office, tarv. Auckland, 2Gth August, 1858. With reference to the communications from the Colonel Commanding the Forces noted in the 1858. margin, and to the Estimates forwarded therewith, His Excellency's Ministers have to state that a Voto v £1500 for repairs of existing Barracks for the current year having been passed by the Colonial I ;ture, the Military Authorities can expend any sums not exceeding in the whole fifteen hundred pounds in maintaining and repairing existing Military Buildings.