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On the other hand, if Colonel Wynyard's intention is, that men should be enlisted for regular service with Colonial pay, the expense, even if the men could be procured at all, would be far beyond what it would be possible for the Colony to pay. The annual cost of a Regiment of a thousand men would not fall much short of £100,000, besides which, the loss to the Colony would be very serious, in fact ruinous, by the absorption of so large a proportion of the available labour ; and after looking at the men whom it would be necessary to take, in order to be able to make up such a force, and the many drawbacks to its efficiency in other respects, it would be greatly inferior to one of Her Majesty's Regiments of the Line, though at least three times more expensive. Many suggestions have from time to time been made, as to the best mode of organizing a Military Force for the Colony, but of all these, the proposal of Colonel Wynyard appears to be the most wild and impracticable, and it is difficult to conceive how a person of his experience in the Colony could have seriously suggested it. It must at once be admitted, that Her Majesty's Troops at present on service in New Zealand are not sufficient to garrison the different stations which it is necessary to occupy, and there is no spare Force available for any emergency which may arise, His Excellency's Advisers have felt themselves called upon from time to time to represent the inadequency of the present Force in the strongest terms, but Her Majesty's Imperial Government has not regarded those representations. At the same time, as His Excellency is aware, his Advisers have not lost sight of the propriety and importance of making the Colonists available to assist in the protection of the country. The impossibily of raising a Force for permanent or regular duty in this Colony ; except unreasonable expense and ruinous consequences be disregarded, cannot be questioned ; but it is possible to place the inhabitants in such a position, as to be able to support Her Majesty Troops in case of necessity. Obviously, the best and most feasible course, is to place the Militia, in which, as a rule, every man between the ages of 18 and 60 is liable to serve, in the best state of efficiency that circumstances will permit. This must necessarily be a work of considerable time, but it was undertaken as soon as the sanction of the General Assembly could be obtained for incurring the necessary expense ; and satisfactory progress is now being made. In New Plymouth, a permanent Staff has been established, and the whole available male population has undergone a course of training and exercise. In Auckland, a permanent Staff has been appointed, and the whole Militia divided into companies, and Officers have been appointed to each. In addition to this, a system of Volunteering has been established, and already two companies of Rifle Volunteets have been formed in Auckland, and are fast progressing towards efficiency. In Wellington a permanent Militia Staff is about to be established, By these means it may be expected that the greater part of the male population may eventually be made serviceable in case of an emergency. It would be out of the question lo attempt a campaign with such a Force, but in the event of the service of Her Majesty's Troops being required in the field, it would be available for the temporary defence of several of the posts necessarily requiring protection. Although therefore, the discharge of men from He» Majesty's Regiments, and the location, as settlers in the Colony, of men accustomed to Military service will not have the effect of producing a Military Force of the character suggested by Colonel Wynyard, yet such men, having been regularly trained soldiers, will be of the greatest use as part of the Militia (in which in common with the rest of the settlers they are liable to serve) and as Volunteers, by rendering such Corps much more readily trained, and afterwards mucli more effective on service. Upon the whole, it is believed that no more than is being done, can be successfully undertaken, and it may be fairly expected that in the course of a reasonable time, the colonists of New Zealand will be in a position to render to Her Majesty's regular Troops all the assistance which can be fairly expected from them towards the defence of the country against a Foreign Enemy or internal commotion. (Signed) Frbdk. Whitaker. COPY OF A LETTER FROM COLONEL GOLD TO GOVERNOR GORE BROWNE, C.B. Auckland, Ist July, 1859. Sir,— I have the honor to enclose for your Excellency's information the Estimates for the year 1859-60 for works and repairs to Barracks and Civil Buildings as rendered to me by the Commanding Royal Engineer, and in so do\ftg, to request I may be favored with instructions on the subject at your Excellency's earliest convenience. The total amount of this Estimate will no doubt be considered high, in explanation of which I ;2Dth June, iBS9.)beg to enclose the covering letter from Colonel Mould. It is desirable that the Estimates, &c, be returned with your Excellency's pleasure noted thereon. I have, &c, (Signed) C. E. Gold, Col. Commanding the ForcesHis Excellency the Governor, &c, &c, &c.