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third, when revised, returned for the information of the Colonel Commanding the Forces and for record in the Brigade Office. The detailed Estimates I request maybe returned to me for record, and for the execution of the Services that may be authorised. It will be desirable that the Estimates should be approved, to the extent considered necessary by the Government, at the earliest convenient date; in the meantime, until their decision is communicated, 1 propose to continue the execution of such casual wear and tear repairs as may be required, chargeable to the Financial Year 1859-CO, in accordance with the former practice when the Estimates authorised by the Imperial Government were late in reaching the Station. It will therefore be desirable that immediate instructions should be given to the Colonial Treasurer and the Auditor, to pass vouchers for such Services previous to the authorisation of the General Estimate. I have, Inc., (Signed) ThOS. R. Mould, Col. Commanding Royal Engineers. COPY OF A MEMORANDUM BY MR. TANCRED. Auckland, 21st July, 1859. His Excellency's Responsible Advisers have had under their consideration a letter dated the Ist instant, addressed by the Colonel Commanding the Forces to His Excellency, enclosing Estimates Mi"ta»t. prepared by the Commanding Royal Engineer for the year J 859-60, for works and repairs to Barracks and Civil Buildings. His Excellency's Responsible Advisers beg to state, that with respect to Military expenditure, the Colonial Executive is in precisely the same position as at the date of their Memorandum of Bth September, 1858 (" Military") to which, as also to their Memorandum of 2Gth August, 1858, ("Military") they beg leave to refer. The Sessions of the General Assembly are, at present, biennial, and that Body has not met since the date of the Memoranda referred to, and will not, in regular course, assemble till March or April 1860. The Supplies are voted for two year 3 from 30th June, 1858, and the appropriations for the service of the current financial year 1859-60, are precisely the same in amount as those for the year 1858-9. There are consequently, at the disposal of the Colonial Government, (the question between the Imperial Government and the Colony, as to Officers' Lodging Money being still under consideration by the Imperial Government) no other funds than the annual sum of fifteen hundred pounds (£1,500), appropriated in the Session of 1858 for the maintenance and repair of Military Buildings. His Excellency's Responsible Advisers recommend that the Military Authorities should be invited to select, from amongst the works included in the present Military Estimates, sucli as are of the most urgent necessity, and can be executed at a cost not exceeding the sum of fifteen hundred pounds (£1,500) available for the service; and that the execution of the works so selected should be authorised by His Excellency. (Signed) Henry John Tancred. COPY OF A LETTER FROM COMMANDER CAMPION, R.N., TO GOVERNOR GORE BROWNE, C.B. H. M. S. Elk, Auckland, July 21st, 1859. Sir,According to request I beg leave to submit to your Excellency the enclosed account of the two largest classes of Screw Steam Gun Boats in her Majesty's Service. I consider No. 1 class to be the best adapted for this Colony, and do not think it would be necessary to remove the Guns, should her services be required on any part of the North Island, there being many rivers into which she could run for safety should the Barometer indicate bad weather. The draught of water is nearly the same, whilst the additional length of No. 1 giving more deck room, would enable a larger proportion of Soldiers to be carried, without materially increasing the relative draught of water. The quantity of fuel is more than doubled. The speed increased under Steam, about two knots. A decided superiority under sai] is manifested by No. 1 class, which are fitted to admit of the Screw being lifted out of the water. The wear and tear of both classes would be nearly the same. The complement of No. 2 would be quite sufficient for ordinary purposes, and in the event of active service, the additional number could soon be drilled into the exercise of great guns. Marines' duty could be performed by Seamen. The Seamen's wages are the lowest at present paid to men in Her Maje'ssty Navy. The expenses of the Gun Boat (Stores, &c.,) not including Coal would average, as near as I can state, about six hundred pounds per annum. I have, &c, (Signed) Hubert Campion, Commander, R.N. Governor Gore Browne, C.8., &c, &c, &c.