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Barracks erected at Napier being no exception to this course, —as the funds were provided by the Provincial Government of Wellington. They are still less inclined, therefore, to do so with respect to retrospective charges, —which, if admitted in this case, might be extended to the cost of constructing all the other Barracks hitherto erected in the Colony. If the Imperial Government should desire it, they will, however, submit the question to the General Assembly in its next Session —but without pledging themselves to make it a Ministerial question, or even to support it as a Ministry. (Signed) E. W. Stafford. COPY OF A LETTER FROM COL. WYNYARD, C.8., TO GOVF.RNOR GORE BROWNE, C.B. Auckland, 4th October, 1858. Sir—, It is with much regret I feel called upon to trouble your Excellency again with a October 4, )858. correspondence connected with the Military expenditure in this Command, but the enclosed letter from the Senior Commissariat Officer will explain the position in which I am placed for want of funds to meet the demands under the Head of Lodging Money for Officers and Men, which I informed your Excellency was disallowed on the Estimates from Home. From the views taken of the question by the Colonial Authorities, I have no alternative but to request some steps may be taken for meeting the necessary outlay for this service froir the funds of the Colony, or some distinct guarantee for the repayment of the same, in the event of the issue being continued from the Military chest, pending a reference Home. My reading of the Colonial Secretary's Minute of the Bth September 1858, certainly led me to conclude that, in altering the grant for repairs, and construction of buildings, the sum of three thousand five hundred pounds (£3500) set apart for the latter purpose, was available for the payment of Lodgings, &c, for the present. The wording of the Minute alluded to runs thus : " They cannot take upon themselves the latter responsibility, and are therefore compelled to " undertake to pay, until the next Session of the Assembly, the demand made by the Colonel "Commanding, if, on reconsideration, the Imperial Authorities shall decide to exact from the Colony " this additional charge." I have, &c, (Signed) R. IT. Wynyard, Colonel Commanding the Forces in New Zealand. His Excellency the Governor, &c, &c, &c. Commissariat, Auckland, 4th October, 1858. Sir,— (Encioiure) In reply to your letter of the 14th ultimo, No. 1135, instructing me by direction of the Officer Commanding the Troops, to make a claim upon the Colonial Government for the sums paid on account of Lodging money from the commencement of the financial year, I now do myself the honor to report, for the information of the Officer Commanding the Troops, that the Colonial Government have declined making the repayment in question. I beg to hand you October 1.1850. j ierew ;th, copy of the reply of the Under Colonial Secretary to my letter. I have, &c, (Signed) H. Stanley Jones, Assistant Commissary General. The Major of Brigade, &c, &c, &c, Auckland. Colonial Secretary's Office. Auckland, Ist October, 1858. Sir,— I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, No. 489, of the 29th ult., (Enclosure.) transmitting a statement of sums expended for Lodging money, hire of buildings, &c, from the Ist April last, and requesting the repayment of the amount into the Imperial Treasury chest under your charge, as you had been instructed by the Officer Commanding the Troops in this Colony, that the Colonial Government had consented to pay the same. In reply, the Colonial Secretary desires me to state, that some misapprehension on your part, appears to exist, as to the course taken by the Colonial Government in this matter. Ministers, in a Memorandum of the Bth ultimo, marked " Military," which has been forwarded by His Excellency the Governor to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, submitted certain proposals to the Imperial Government as to the mode in which for the future, accommodation for Officers should be provided.