A—No. 2.

4

FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO

the Queen's forces supplied for its defence. It must be understood, however, that the arrangement will be open to reconsideration hereafter ; and it may be proper to remind you, in case any objection should be raised to the present plan, that the rate of contribution is far less than in the Australian colonies. I have, &c, G. C. Lewis. . Governor Gore Browne, C.8., New Zcalaud.

No. 2. COPY OP A MEMORANDUM BY ME. STAFFOED. Auckland, 29th November, 1860. This Despatch settles the question hitherto discussed between the Imperial and Colonial Go--vernments as to the liability of the Colony for a share of the cost of the Military expenditure. The only matter which will still require to be submitted to the Legislature is the cost of the Barracks erected in New Plymouth in 1855, as that charge was repudiated by the House of Representatives when brought before it, and has been protested against by Ministers—in considering arrangements for the iuture—as being a retrospective charge made without previous notice. It appears fair therefore that the proposal conveyed in Mr. Stafford's Memorandum of Bth September, 1858, which is now accepted by ( *the Imperial Authorities, should be assumed to commence on the Ist April, 1858, (as proposed by the Imperial Government) without referring to any Military expenditure whatever prior to that date. A copy of this Despatch should be sent to the Commanding Koyal Engineer, as it will necessitate the Estimates for his Department being again sent for approval to the Imperial Authorities. Ministers accept the interpretation put on their proposal as expressed in the last paragraph of this Despatch, viz., —" that the intended subsidy of £5 per man is to be treated as the general contribution of the Colony towards the expenses of the Queen's Troops supplied for its defence." E. W. Stafford.

MIILTARY.

Sir G, C. Lewis's Despatch of 12th Sept., 1860.

No. 3. COPY OF A LETTER FKOM THE ASSISTANT MILITAEY SECEETABY TO THE PEITATE SECEETAET. Head Quarters, Auckland, 2nd May, 1861. Sir,— In acknowledging the receipt of your letter of yesterday's date, with copies of correspondence enclosed, I am directed by the Lieut.-General Commanding to request that you will be so good as to obtain for him as soon as possible, a distinct assurance on the part of the Colonial Government that it accepts without reservation the whole arrangement agreed to by the Secretary of State for the Colonies, viz. : — Ist. That from and after the Ist of April 1858, the Colonial Government is to pay for each man, all ranks included, of the Force of this country the sum of £5 per annum, as the whole contribution of the Colony towards the expenses, of all kinds, of Her Majesty's Troops supplied for its defence ; and that the calculation of the numbers of the force is to be made as suggested by Sir G. C. Lewis. 2nd. That in addition to this regular subsidy measures will be taken to refund to the Treasury Chest the sum of £7000 due in respect of Barracks formerly constructed at New Plymouth. If the Lieut.-General is furnished with some guarantee of this nature, the new system will be brought into immediate operation. And he requests that a reply may be sent to this letter in time to enable him to report accordingly to England by the Mail of the 7th instant. I have, &c, G. S. Whitmoee, Major, Assistant Military Secretary. The Private Secretary, Government House.

(No. 74.)

No. 4. COPY OF A MEMORANDUM BY MR. STAFFOED. Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, 4th May, 1861. In reply to Lieutenant General Cameron's letter of the 2nd instant, relative to the contribution to be paid by the Colony towards the expenses of the Queen's Troops supplied for its defence, Ministers have to refer to Mr. Stafford's Memorandum of the 29th November last, on Sir G. C.

MiiiTAiur.