17

H.—24

No. 12. William Plant, Shortland, to Major Gordon, Auckland. Sir— Shortland, 29th April, 1874. Having been a member formerly of No. 1 Royals, I beg to request that you will inform me what I ought to do with my clothing: whether lam entitled to keep it, or not ? I believe the amount of capitation drawn for me has more than paid for the same, although I know, by the Volunteer Regulations, I never was entitled to any capitation allowance, but still it has, nevertheless, been drawn for me. Of course I cannot answer what has been done with it. I should feel very much obliged if you could give me any information on the above subject, and shall be glad to give you any information that I can regarding the No. 1 Royals, either public or private. I have, &c, William Plant, Rolleston Street, ex Volunteer, No. 1 Royals. Major Gordon, Militia and Volunteer Office, Auckland.

No. 13. The Under Secretary for Defence to Major Cooper, Thames. Native and Defence Office (Militia and Volunteer Branch), Sir— Wellington, 19th May, 1874. Under instructions from the Hon. Dr. Pollen, I have the honor to transmit herewith, for your information, copy of a letter received from Major Gordon, reporting on his inspection of the No. 1 Company Hauraki Rifle Volunteers, and to request you will be good enough to favour me with your remarks thereon, by the earliest possible opportunity, for submission to the Hon. the Native Minister. I have, &c, Wm. Moule, Lieut.-Colonel, Acting Under Secretary for Defence. Major Cooper, Commanding Militia District, Thames.

No. 14. Major Cooper, Thames, to the Under Secretary for Defence, Wellington. Sir, — Militia and Volunteer Office, Shortland, 7th May, 1874 I have the honor to forward a letter (24th April, 1874,) from Lieutenant Quinton, covering a copy of resolutions passed by certain members of No. 1 H.R.V., at a meeting at which Lieutenant Quinton (who commands the company, in consequence of Captain Lipsey having been suspended from duty by Major Gordon) was in the chair, and Sergeant Bell acted as secretary. As it is shown by these resolutions that Lieutenant Quinton allowed the members of his company to discuss the conduct of Major Gordon in his capacity as Inspecting Officer, and that Sergeant Bell gave his sanction to a proceeding so subversive of discipline, I deem it my duty to recommend that His Excellency the Governor be advised to dismiss Lieutenant Quinton and Sergeantßell from the Volunteer service, and to disband the company. As, however, the junior officer and several members of the company were absent from the district, and probably as the majority of those who were at the meeting acted from ignorance, I venture to hope that members of the corps who have earned capitation allowance for the last year, may be permitted to join No. 3 H.R.V., with the sanction of that company, and that that company may be allowed to estimate for and receive the capitation money now due. I have, &c, I. R. Cooper, Major, The Under Secretary for Defence, Wellington. Commanding Thames District,

No. 15. Lieutenant Quinton, Shortland, to Major Cooper, Thames. Sir,— Shortland, 24th April, 1874. I have the honor herewith to enclose copy of resolutions passed at a meeting of the company held in the Volunteer Hall on the 23rd instant, and request that you will forward the same to the proper authorities at your earliest convenience. I have, &c, Major I. R. Cooper, J. Quinton, Lieut.; Commanding Thames District. Commanding No. 1. H.R.V.

Enclosure in No. 15. Memorandum. At a meeting of No. 1 Company, held in the Volunteer Hall, Shortland, on the 23rd day of April, 1874, the following resolutions were carried unanimously. Lieutenant Quinton in the chair: — " That, in consequence of Major Gordon's conduct to No. 1 Company during his annual inspection at the Thames, that company tender their resignation to the Government." Also, "A vote of confidence in Captain Lipsey." J. Bell, 24th April, 1874. Hon. Sec, No. 1 H.R.V. 3—H. 24.