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Memorandum for His Excellency the Governor. The Premier presents his compliments to His Excellency, and respectfully requests that he will send the following cable to the Secretary of State : " New Zealand Government willing to undertake purchase of horses and outfit for men, as desired in your cable. Five hundred Volunteers will be enlisted at the earliest possible date. My Ministers having enlisted on behalf of New Zealand, including Fourth Contingent, a thousand mounted infantry, are of the opinion that it would cause some feeling if the Volunteers who are now to be enlisted were to be paid at Imperial rates only, and wish to have the five hundred men sent the same as the others, the people of New Zealand making up the difference in pay. Further, the five hundred men will form part of the Imperial army at the Cape, and will be disposed of and placed in such positions as may be directed. Arrangements to be for one year, or during the continuance of the war in South Africa. Officers to be appointed in terms of your cable. < 19th February, 1900. R. J. Seddon.

(Urgent telegram.) Auckland, 9th March, 1900. Following received from Secretary of State, dated London, 17th February, begins: Referring to my telegram of the 9th February, Secretary of State for War gladly accepts for enlistment British regiments any number of men up to five hundred, between the ages of twenty and thirty-five, medically fit, good horsemen, shots. Pay and allowances at same rates as British soldiers. Engagement for one year, or duration of war. £5 gratuity on discharge. Enlistment for general service. They will be posted on arrival at South Africa to regular units mounted infantry as required. Horses, saddles, and bridles complete should be sent, and 10 per cent, spare horses; but no transport. Not more than one officer per hundred; none above captain. Will your Ministers make arrangments for enlistment, and of purchase of horses, clothing, equipment at cost of Her Majesty's Government.—Chamberlain.

Following received from Secretary of State, dated London, 2nd March, begins: With reference to your telegram of the 27th February, see my telegram of the 17th February. Generous offer. Gladly accept. Force should be enlisted for general service anywhere in South Africa. Probably they may be employed outside Natal and Cape Colony, in which case they will be payable from Imperial funds at the rate of ss. a day for privates; other ranks at proportionate rates. Your Ministers will doubtless expedite matter as much as possible.—Chamberlain. To the Right Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Ranfurly.

Extract from Cablegram received from Secretary of State. From His Excellency the Governor, New Zealand, date 28/2/1900. Owing to limited time and difficulty in obtaining locally, can Imperial Government supply the following to meet five hundred men in South Africa: Arms, accoutrements, saddles, waterproof sheets, and water-bottles ?

(Telegram.) Ist March, 1900. War Office sent Major Carthew Yorstoun, of Indian Staff Corps, with Hotchkiss battery, to Cape. General commanding communications now cables to know whether Captain Smith, in contravention of War Office order, is to take over guns and command battery, or whether Major Yorstoun is to take over New Zealand horses and men and take command of them. The telegram is somewhat unintelligible ; but I consider the correct answer would be that New Zealand places battery, officers, and men entirely under the orders of General commanding communications, to utilise them to the best advantage in Imperial interest. Reply urgent, as battery is probably waiting instructions. The Right Hon. the Premier, Huntly. Ranfurly.

Captain Smith, Hotchkiss Battery, New Zealand Second Contingent, Capetown. Major Yorstoun takes command officers and men. He will act under instructions officer commanding. You are to take whatever position he assigns. Ist March, 1900. Seddon, Premier.

Memorandum for the Right Hon. the Premier. Government House, Wellington, sth March, 1900. The Governor desires to point out that no direct reply has been sent by him to the Secretary of State for the Colonies as to when the five hundred men asked for by the Secretary of State will be sent. In view of the fact that expedition is asked for, he thinks as soon as arrangements are made he should cable them. The Governor further understands that the first ship will sail on 24th March, and that the Fourth Contingent are over four hundred men. If this is the case, he would, even at the cost of a day's delay, suggest the sending of both contingents on the same day, and making up the few men that may be needed to bring their strength, officers and men, to one thousand strong. The Governor offers no suggestion, but in reference to the Premier's remarks at to-day's gathering, he cannot help thinking the British Government would not be ill-pleased to know that in case of European complications New Zealand would be foremost, and that if complications threatened and we could be informed on the subject, special preparations would be made to avoid delay. Ranfurly.