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In reply, I beg to be allowed to state that I have no objection whatever to the statements which I made in my report with respect to Volunteer matters in the Hutt Subdistrict being investigated by any Board or Court of Inquiry, as is requested by Major Ludlam ; but I think I may reasonably object that any such issue should be submitted for investigation by such Court as that which is contained in the last few lines of his letter —namely, " his having granted certificates of efficiency, knowing them to be false, with a view of enabling Volunteers to obtain capitation money" —as 1 am not the author of such a statement. I have, &c, Wm. Gohdon, Major, The Under Secretary for Defence, Inspector of Volunteers. (Militia and Volunteer Branch,) Wellington.

No. 4. Lieut.-Colonel Moule to Major Ltjdlam. Native and Defence Office (Militia and Volunteer Branch), Sic, — Wellington, 22nd September, 1874. The Hon. the Native Minister has instructed me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 2nd instant, complaining of that portion of Major Gordon's report which relates to the Hutt Volunteers, and desires me to say that he much regrets any difference of opinion should have arisen between that officer and yourself in regard to the nature of the instruction to be imparted to the Volunteers to enable them to earn certificates of efficiency; that, while admitting the wording of the paragraph in question might perhaps bear the construction you have put upon it, he cannot think that Major Gordon intended his remarks to be so implied ; and that he believes the ordering of a Board of Inquiry, as you desire, would not lead to any satisfactory results. Sir Donald McLean has further directed me to say that he trusts you are so well aware of the entire confidence the Government have for many years reposed in you in connection with your duties in the Militia and Volunteer Forces, that you do not need any further assurance from him of the satisfaction he entertains of your zealous and earnest endeavours to promote the success and efficiency of the Volunteers, and to carry out the Regulations in their integrity. I have, &c, W. Motile, Lieut.-Colonel, Major Ludlam, Hutt. Acting Under Secretary Defence.

No. 5. Major Ltjdlasi to the Undee Seceetaey, Defence. Sic, — Militia Office, Hutt, 26th September, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 22nd instant, in reply to mine of the 2nd, stating that you are instructed by the Hon. the Native Minister to say that he regrets any difference of opinion should have arisen between Major Gordon and myself in regard to the nature of the instruction to be imparted to Volunteers to enable them to earn certificates of efficiency ; and, while admitting the wording of the paragraph in question might perhaps bear the construction 1 put upon it, he believes that the ordering of a Board of Inquiry would not lead to any satisfactory result. In reply, I beg to say that I regret the matter is not to be inquired into, particularly as that portion of Major Gordon's report has been brought prominently before the public by its repeated publication in the local newspapers. The assurance from Sir Donald McLean conveyed in your letter, that the Government are satisfied with the manner in which I have administered the Volunteer Regulations, is satisfactory, as it removes any reproach on my conduct as Officer Commanding the Militia and Volunteers in this portion of the Wellington District. I have to request permission from the Hon. the Defence Minister to forward a copy of the correspondence to a local newspaper for publication. I have, &c., A. Ludlam, Lieut.-Colonel Moule, Wellington. Major.

No. 6. Lieut.-Colonel Mottle to Major Ltjdlam. Native and Defence Office (Militia and Volunteer Branch), Sib,— Wellington, sth October, 1874. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 26th ultimo, in which you ask for permission to publish in a local newspaper the correspondence which has taken place respecting this part of Major Gorton's report relating to the Hutt portion of the Wellington District. I have submitted your application to the Hon. the Native Minister, who has instructed me to say that such a course would be so unusual and subversive of discipline that he regrets he cannot comply with your request. At the same time, if you require it, the Native Minister will not object to a Court of Inquiry. I have, &c, W. Motile, Lieut.-Colonel, Major Ludlain, Hutt. Acting Under Secretary Defence.

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