E.—No. 2A.

No. 10. MEMORANDUM by Ministers. In reply to His Excellency's Memorandum of this day's date, the enclosed Returns giving the information asked for, are forwarded for His Excellency's information. October 13th, 1884. T. Russell.

No. 11. MEMORANDUM by Ministers. Referring to Minister's Memorandum of 12th' instant, relative to the reduction of war expenditure, Ministers respectfully request His Excellency's answer to-day, as the mail for the South closes at 9 o'clock to-morrow morning. Colonial Defence Office, Auckland, October 17th, 1864. T. Russrll. No. 12. MEMORANDUM by the Governor. In reply to the Ministerial Memorandum of the 12th instant, showing the reductions the Government propose to make in tho existing war expenditure, the Governor begs to state that it is with great regret that he hears it is intended to reduee the Defence Force at the present moment, as they are a most useful force upon our frontiers, and the existing crisis the Governor regards as one of considerable danger. With regard to tin reductions propose! in the Taranaki Militia, the Governor supposes that although t ey are struck oT pay aid allowance?, they will be forthcoming for the defence of the town in ihe event of the absence of th? troops, otherwise there will be a proportionably smaller number of men available for any service outside the town. Tae Governor also presumes that the Militia and Volunteers will be mustered under arms periodically at Taranaki as here. October 17th, 1864. G. Grey.

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RESIGNATION OE MINISTERS, &c,

Enclosu to . NlO. JL\7. R3turn, shewing the strength of the Mili lettlers: — ;i; d Vol intei srs at taki, dusive of the "ilitary arai: COEl'3. E -J 3 o s ft I s> II fs pc. 3 _ <3 O +3 ! © o I ■-=-. p " it r3 6 l^ M , so 5= If a ! I fi-ii | [I "ell 5j 6 8 4 2 3 lj 1 9 9 SI 28 _ S n ! (5 09 '3 O 3 /1 a I "3 3 * cj « 1 « ■ .2. a> . . ■2: «i'« S«J«I g _|a! g s 1.3, f M-a tc P-, _2 3 a> S o OI ■^ OS O!0,00 0| "'. 1 8 1915 I...J...I ... j 2' s| bt., pj '... ll 8 31281 OB z Of O _ I ■ I I I C 1st Class Militia '2nd Class (.3rd Class 1 1 1 1 21 2 1|2 ...I li I ...... 3 2 3 "i 1 Il98 119 108 2 ... 2 ... 425 I..... I 5 Volunteers, Cavalry ... -- u _< 1 I l_ j ill |~|~ 2 2 ...J... I 1 51 1 1 _| lj 1 51 Volunteers, Rifles Volunteers, Bushrangers 1 2: 3 - 91 104 \"i 2 2 ■ 2 ; 5 195 Totals ... J 7 8 1 I li i I i t 1 5 8 8' '671 5 7 8 1 Is 1 1 671 Militia and Volunteer Office, H. C. B.u Auckland, 13th October, 1864. Dep N'.B. Licut.-Colonel Lepper has assumed the command since the date of t' LNEAVIS L-Ad.-G s, L rene jiei tral t.-Colonel, of Militia and Volunt lers. he Retui rns f Vol! which these numbers an t iken.

Enclosure 2 to JNo. j.\j. Return, land, Wellii shewing igton, am the presi Hawke'i :nt strength of the Colonial D< Bay:;fence Foi ■ce in the Provinces of Command, mts. SubInspectors. Trumpeters. Troopers. PliOVINCE. Inspectors. Stall-. Sergeants. Corporals. Ilorses. .uckland ... 1 2 5 1 6 3 66 79 fellington ... i 4 3 5 5 7 4 141 164 tawke's Bay 1 2 3 1 5 7 _ 97 109 Total ... 3 8 li 15 17 301 352 llilitia and And Volunteer Office, land, 13th October, 1864. I Dep.-i . C. Balneavis, L djt. General of Mil ieut.-Colonol, itia and Volunteers