A.—No. Ib,

tions will accordingly be given to the General Officer Commanding at Melbourne to make arrangements for the transfer at an early date. I have, &c, The Under Secretary of State for the Colonies. H. K. STORKS.

No. 2. Copy of a LETTER from the Under Secretary of State for War to the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies. Sir,— War Office, 9th August, 1869. With reference to the letter from this office, of 24th April last, enclosing copies of communications which had passed between this office and the General Officer Commanding the Troops in Australia, on the subject of the removal of the 2nd Battalion 18th Eoot from Nevr Zealand to Australia, I am directed by Mr. Secretary Cardwell to transmit to you, for the information of Earl Granville, the accompanying copy of a further Despatch which has been received from Sir T. Chute on tho subject. I have, &c., The Under Secretary of State for the Colonies. 11. K. STORKS.

Enclosure in No. 2. Major-General Sir Teevoe Chtjte to the TJndee Secbetaet of State for Wae. Sic,— Melbourne, 18th June, 1869. My letter of the 29th March, with enclosure, will have informed you that, in consequence of the action taken by Commodore Lambert, the " Himalaya " had returned from New Zealand without a wing of the 2-18 th Eegiment. I have now the honor (in acknowledging the receipt of your letter of the 23rd April, and enclosure) to state, for the information of the Right Honorable the Secretary of State for War, that in obedience with the instructions contained in the letter under acknowledgment, I have issued orders for the concentration of the 2-18 th Regiment at Auckland, prior to removal to Australia, for distribution amongst the Colonies ; and on the arrival of that regiment, the 2-14 th will be sent home. With regard to this distribution, I propose sending two companies, instead of one, to Tasmania, tho Government of Queensland not wishing Imperial troops to be stationed in that Colony. With regard to the 3rd paragraph of your letter, the option will be given to the men of the 2-14 th Regiment of volunteering to the 2-lSth Regiment, to the extent of raising the strength of the latter battalion to 790 rank and file. I have, &c, The Under Secretary of State for War. T. Chute, Major-General.

No. 3. Copy of a LETTER from Sir E. R. Sandpord to the Under Secretary of State for War. Sir, — Downing Street, 26th August, 1869. I am directed by Earl Granville to transmit to you, for the consideration of Mr. Secretary Cardwell, a copy of a Despatch from the Governor of New Zealand, with its enclosures, on the subject of the claims preferred by the Colonial Government on account of expenses incurred for the maintenance of Military prisoners in the Colonial gaols. I have, &c, The Under Secretary of State for War. E. R. SANEEORD.

No. 4. Copy of a LETTER from the Under Secretary of State for War to the Under Secretary of State for the Colonies. Sir,— War Office, 29th September, 1869. I am directed by Mr. Secretary Cardwell to acquaint you, for the information of Earl Granville, that a telegram has been received at this office, from the Major-General Commanding in the Australian Colonies, dated Galle, sth

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DESPATCHES EROM THE SECRETARY OE STATE