PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE REDUCTION OF MILITIA EXPENDITUTE.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1864 Session I, B-04

15.- No. I.

PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE REDUCTION OF MILITIA EXPENDITUTE.

PRESENTED TO BOTH HOUSES OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BY COMMAND OF HIS EXCELLENCY.

AUCKLAND 1864.

8.-No. *

Note.—Preyiouß to tho date of the following correspondence several Memoranda passed between His Excellency the Governor and Ministers in connection with this subject, which will be found at pages 11 and 12 of E. No. 2. A. No. 1. Copy of a LETTER from Unoee Seceetaey foe Defence to Lieutenant-Colonel Lepper. Sic,— Colonial Defence Office, Auckland, 17th October, 1864. I am directed by the Minister for Colonial Defence to instruct you, immediately on receipt of this letter, to issue the necessary orders for relieving from duty the whole of the Taranaki Town Militia, Bush Eanging Corps, and Volunteers, including the Cavalry Volunteers under Captain Mace, and to intimate to them that their pay and allowances will be discontinued after the date on which you issue those orders. I have, Ac, Lt.-CoL Lepper, Comdg. Taranaki Militia, New Plymouth. William Seed.

No. 2. Copy of a LETTER from Lieut.-Colonel Leppee to Undek Seceetaey for Defence. Sic, —■ Militia and Volunteer Orderly Room, Taranaki, 21st October, 1864. I have tho honor to acknowledge the recoipt of your letter No. 2447, dated Auckland, 17th October, 1864, relative to the " relieving from duty the whole of the Taranaki Town Militia, Bush Ranging Corps, and Volunteers, including tho Cavalry Volunteers under Captain Mace," and to inform you, for the information of the Hon. T. Russell, Minister for Colonial Defence, that nearly all of the above mentioned forces arc employed on active service by command of Colonel Warre, C.8., commanding at this station, to whom I forwarded a copy of your letter. I have now the honor to forward a copy of his letter in reply, which only enables me to reduce the local forces by one hundred and forty-five (145) Town Militia, including two (2) officers and thirtyfour (34) Cavalry Volunteers, including two (2) officers. Awaiting further instructions, I have, Ac, W. Seed, Esq., Secretary to Minister for M. Leppee, Lt.-Col., Colonial Defence, Auckland. Commanding Local Forces. Enclosures to No. 2. Sic,— Taranaki Militia Office, 20th October, 1864. I have tho honor to forward, for your information, the enclosed copy of a *letter received this i day from the Minister of Colonial Defence, and request you will have the goodness to furnish me with instructions how to act, the forces in question being on active service and under your command. I have Ac, M. Leppee, Lt.-Col. Col. Warre, C.8., Commanding Forces, Taranaki. Commanding Local Forces, Sib,— Garrison Office, New Plymouth, 20th October, 1864. In reply to your letter of this day's date, I have the honor by desire of the Colonel Commanding to inform you that, as the Town Militia are available at any moment under martial law to perform any duties that may be required of them in the defence, or for the immediate duties, of the town, there i 3 no reason as regards this force why the orders you have received should not bo carried out at once ; but as regards the Busli Rangers, and mounted men under Major Atkinson, who are at this moment actively employed in the field, he cannot dispense with their services at present. I am, therefore, to request you will retain the Bush Rangers and so many of the mounted corps as were enrolled formerly before the addition was made to this force, pending "further instructions. I am desired by Col. AVarre to transmit copy of a letter received this morning from the Deputy Quarter-Master - General, by which you will observe that the Bush Rangers, as such, are to be employed under Major Atkinson in clearing away the timber, Ac, on the track leading from Manutahi to Mataitawa. lam further to request you will retain on pay and rations, pending further instructions, tho men belonging to tho Town Militia absolutely necessary to garrison the stockades at Omata, Bell Block, Ratanui, and Dingle's Farm. I have, Ac, Lt.-Col. Lepper, Comdg. Militia and Volunteers, E. Betjtton, Lieut., New Plymouth. Garrison Adjutant. Deputy Quarter-Master-General's Office, Head Quarters, Sik— Auckland, 18th October, 1564. Adverting to your letter No. 355 of the 13th instant, and my communication No. 1397 of yesterday's date, relative to clearing the bush on each side of the road leading through Manutahi to Mataitawa, I have the honor by direction of the Lieutenant-Genoral Commanding, to acquaint you that His Excellency the Governor has intimated his approval of the acceptance of the offer and services of Maior Atkinson, Taranaki Militia, for that service at the rate of £2 an acre, felling everything great and small, and I am to request that you will have the goodness to give directions for the work being carried out without delay, the expense being borne by the Colonial Government. I have, Ac, S. D. J. Gamble, Lt.-Col, Col. Warre, C.8., Commanding Troops, Taranaki. Dep. Qr.-Master-General.

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PAPERS RELATIVE TO REDUCTION OF MILITIA EXPENDITURE,

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No. 3. Copy of a LETTER from Under Seceetaey fob, Defence to Lt.-Col. Leppee. Sir, — Colonial Defence Office, Auckland, 24th October, 1864. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 21st inst., wherein you detail the action you had taken upon receiving my letter of the 17th inst., No. 2447, and in which you request to be furnished with fresh instructions. In reply, I am directed to inform you that the Government regret that, instead of at once acting on the instructions you received, you should have considered it necessary to refer to Colonel Warre for his instructions as to the carrying out of orders received from the Government, when the wishes and instructions of the Government were so clearly set forth in my letter of the 17th inst. The Sub-Treasurer and the Paymaster at New Plymouth have been directed not to issue pay for any of the Colonial Forces at Taranaki, except the Military Settlers, after the 31st inst.; and lam therefore to instruct you at once to carry out the instructions forwarded to you in my letter quoted above. I have, Ac, Lt.-Col. Lepper, Com. Militia and Volunteers, New Plymouth. William Seed.

No. 4 Copy of a LETTER from Lt.-Col. Lepper to Undek Seceetaey fob Defence. Militia and Volunteer Orderly Room, Sic,— Taranaki, 27th October, 1864. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 2476, dated Auckland, 24th ult., and to express my regret at the Government having censured me for the course I pursued in carrying out their instructions, dated 17th ult. In explanation for having acted as I did, I most respectfully beg to state, for the information of the Government, that the Province of Taranaki being under martial law and the command of Colonel Warre, C.8., not a man can be withdrawn from his post without his authority, more particularly as the forces iv question are on active service in the field. I trust when the Government re-consider the circumstances of the case, they will acquit me of not having carried out their orders to the utmost of my power. I have further the honor to forward the enclosed correspondence for the information of the Hon. T. Russell, Minister for Colonial Defence. I have, Ac, Wm. Seed, Esq., Secretary to the Minister for M. Lepper, Lt.-Col. Colonial Defence, Ac, Ac. Auckland. Commanding Local Forces. Enclosure 1 to No. 4. Sir,— Taranaki Militia Office, 27th October, 1864. I have the honor to enclose a copy of a letter I received yesterday from the Government for the information of the Colonel Commanding, and to request he will have the goodness to take the necessary steps to enable me to carry out my instructions with as little delay as possible. I have, Ac, Garrison Adjutant, Ac, Ac. M. Lepper, Lt.-Col. Commanding Local Forces. * - Enclosure 2 to 4>. Sib, — Garrison Office, New Plymouth, 27th October 1864. I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this day's date, forwarding copy of letter from Mr. Seed, dated Colonial Defence Office, 24th October, 1864, and requesting Col. Warre to take the necessary steps to enable you to carry out your instructions with as little delay as possible. In reply, I am directed to inform you, that, as Colonel Warre has received no instructions from the Lieutenant-Genoral Commanding the Troops in New Zealand : and as this province, being under martial law, is entirely under the control of the military authorities, Colonel Warre must decline to take any action upon the instructions conveyed in Mr. Seed's letter until after the arrival of the mail steamer on the 29th instant, when it is possible the Lieutenant-General may give some orders on the subject. In the meanwhile you will be pleased to continue the Militia in the occupation of the several block-house, Ac, and make no alteration in the existing arrangements for the military defence of this town without further instructions from the military authorities. I have, Ac. E. Bhutton, Lieut., Garrison Adjutant. Lieut.-Colonel Lepper.

No. 5. Copy of a LETTER from Under Secretary for Defence to Major Atkinson. Sib,-— Colonial Defence Office, Auckland, 17th October, 1864. I have the honor, by direction of the Minister for Colonial Defence, to enclose for your information the copy of a letter which has been addressed to Lieut.-Colonel Lepper, commanding Taranaki Militia, directing that officer to take immediate steps for relieving the Taranaki Town Militia, Bushranging Corps, and Volunteers, from duty. I have, Ac. William Seed. Major Atkinson, Taranaki Militia, Taranaki. [Letters of similar tenor and date to Captain Hemptoii. Paymaster, Taranaki Militia, and R. Chilman, Esq.. SubTreasurer at New Plymouth.]

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No. 6. Copy of a LETTER from Under Secretaby fob Defence to R. Chilman, Esq. Sic, —■ Colonial Defence Office, Auckland, 24th October, 1864. Referring to my letter to you of the 17th instant, No. 2449, enclosing copy of a communication which had been addressed to Lieut.-Colonel Lepper, directing him to relieve from duty the whole of the Colonial Forces at Taranaki with the exception of tho military sealers, I have the honor to inform you that, from a letter received from that officer, it appears lie has delayed carrying out the instructions ho received until he hears again from the Government; and lam now directed by tho Minister for Colonial Defence to inform you that instructions have been sent to Lieut.-Colonel Lepper ratifying the previous ones, and that you are not to issue pay for any of the local forces at Taranaki, excepting the military settlers, after the 3lst instant. I have, Ac, William Seed. R. Chilman, Esq., Sub-Treasurer, Ac, Ac, Taranaki.

No. 7. Copy of a LETTER from Captain Hempton to the Hon. T. Russell. Sic, — Paymaster's Office, Taranaki Militia, 21st October 1864. I have the honor to state, that Colonel Warre, the Officer commanding Her Majesty's Forces in this province, having decided that the Bushrangers, Mounted Volunteers to the number of 25 with a Captain, and the Militia at present s*ationcd in four block-houses, are to be kept on duty, the SubTreasurer will require an authority to issue the amount requ'red for their pay and allowances. I have, Ac, Thomas Hempton, Capt., Tho Hon. T. Russell, Minister Colonial Defence, Paymaster Taranaki Militia. Defence Office, Auckland.

No. 8. Copy of a LETTER from Undeb Seceetaey foe Defence to Capt. Hempton. Colonial Defence Office, Auckland, 24th October, 1864. Sib — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 21st instant, and am directed to inform you in reply that the Government has directed the Sub-Treasurer at New Plymouth not to issue any further pay to tho Taranaki Town Militia, Bushrangers, and Volunteers, after the 31st instant. I have, Ac, Captain Hempton, Paymaster Taranaki Militia, Taranaki. William Seed.

No. 9. Copy of a LETTER from Chaeles Brown, Esq., to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Sir,— Royal Hotel, Auckland, 24th October, 1864. I have the honor to state that the mail just arrived fro-n Taranaki informs me that orders have heen received there to strike the Taranaki Militia and Volunteers off pay and rations and dispense with their services. I feel it my duty to urge on the consideration of the Government the position of matters at Taranaki, and how it will be affected by the carrying out of the orders referred to. 1. Tue posts that are held by tho Militia arc those immediately protecting the open land (of about 10,000 acres). These, as I understand, there are no troops at Taranaki to hold if the Militia are withdrawn from them. 2. Tiie Bushrangers, who partially protect the country inland of the posts above named, and who have for many months been acquiring the useful training that makes them so valuable. 3. T.ie Mounted Corps, which is an efficient body of men, maintained at a less cost than the Colonial Defence Force, and, I believe, fulfilling to a great extent the same duties. 4. T.ie number of militiamen doing dv y in town is about 50. 5. Tne labor market has been supplied wi h labor imported from the other Provinces at a time when the Government did not see fit to dispense with the services of militiamen ; this labor has been and is steadily drifting away, since the Government has allowed militiamen to be s'.ruck off pay, rations, and duty at their own request, of which number there are about 260 out of 600 on the militia roll. 6. Tae Provincial Government has made arrangements to overdraw its account with tho Bank of New Zealand for present engagements, and as these arrangements cannot be expanded, tho Provincial Government has not tho means for the further employment of the population. The result, therefore, of the Militia and Volunteers being struck off pay and rations must be that the country now occupied, and the occupation of which is extending, must be contracted, and that without their compensation or other means of living, where almost every article of consumption, including fuel, is imported, those who have any means to leave the Province must do so, and those that cannot leave must slarve. If any reduc ion be made in the Taranaki Militia or Volunteers, I recommend that as far as practicable the reduction commence with the Town Militia and progress outwards to where available protection extends for industrial pursuits. I have, Ac, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Chaeles Brown, Superintendent of Taranaki.

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No. 10. Copy of a LETTER from Charles Beown, Esq., Superintendent of Taranaki, to the Honorable the Colonial Secretary. Sib,— Auckland, 26th October, 1864. Understanding that the subject of my letter of tho 24th instant has been reconsidered, and that the Ministers cannor arrive at any other decision than was previously arrived at, beyond the postponement to the end of the month, of the Taranaki Militia and Volunteers being struck off pay and rations, I have the honor to apply for pecuniary assistance, in the shape of a guarantee to the Bank of New Zealand, 1o the extent of say Five Thousand (£5,000) Pounds, to enable me to expend from time to time such portions of the amount in the employment of labor as may be approved by Resolution of tho Provincial Council, until such time as the General Assembly may have otherwise provided for the difficulties that will arise from a largo portion of the population having no remunerative or safe employment for their labor voider present circumstances. At the sam- time that the blockhouses on the acquired lands of the Province, hitherto held by the Militia and Volunteers, be handed over to the Provincial Government as places of refuge and defence for the m n. n the vicinity of the employment that will be afforded to them. Many of tho country roads have, from want of use and attention, been considerably damaged in the period, now exceeding four years, in which they have been comparatively abandoned; culverts have fallen in, Ihe water courses have ploughed up the roads, trees have fallen across them, bridges suffer from decay ; and in the restoration of these, and works of this character, a necessary and profitable expenditure of the means I apply for can take place. The blockhouses will also enable those who have made some progress in the restoration of their properties in the vicinity of ihe blockhouses, to reside near and contribute to protect them, with a place of refuge for i hemselves, which will not be the case if they are garrisoned by troops or military settlers. I have, Ac, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Chas. Brown, Superintendent of Taranaki. Enclosure to No. 10. MINUTE by Ministee foe Colonial Defence on foregoing. 1. It has been arranged with the Superintendent of Taranaki that the Government shall guarantee the re-payment of an advance by the Bank of New Zealand to the Superintendent of Taranaki of £5,000, the money ' • oployed in public works in the Province, on which the Militia now struck off pay shall be em . >yed—it ing understood that the bush on the road to Mataitawa shall be cut down as a par' of i o i lone. 2. As far Colon al Government can, they express their agreement to the proposal made by the Superintendi nl for handing over tho blockhouses vacated by Militia to the Provincial Government. 3. Tue Government will send by the steamer, on the Bth, a Commissioner to report upon the " Supplemen arj " and "Military" claims made by the Taranaki settlers still outstanding, with a view to get informa ion for !he House of Representatives, shortly to meet; their action to be held as not binding the Gov, rnmenl or the House in any manner to recognise or pay those claims. October 26th, 1864. , T. Russell.

No. 11. Copy o!'a LETTER from Cuaeles Beown, Esq., to the Hon. the Colonial Seceetaey. Sic, — Superintendent's Office, New Plymouth, 3rd November, 1864. I have the honor transmit copy of a Resolution passed by the Provincial Council on the 22nd ultimo, . It isolut ion, the result of a public meeting, on the subject of the militia and volun cci rt md rations, and which documents I submitted for perusal to the memb ts of ' in ' G ivi mmi nt on the 26th of last month, but which I omitted to leave. I have, Ac, The Hi loionial Chaeles Beown, Superintendent. • Enclosure 1 to No. 11. ■Minute of Council.—New Plymouth, 22nd October, 1864. a address be presented to his Honor tho Superintendent requesting him Govi rnment the great hardships which will be inflicted upon the settlers suddenly dismissed from the militia, while it is dangerous to life to and while the sum which was voted by tho Assembly to assist them in re-oci unpaid. Wm. M. Cbompton, Speaker. telosure 2 to No. 11. Public Meeting.—New Plymouth, 22nd October, 1864. i to express the thanks of tho community to Colonel Warre for re!;!i outposts, the bushrangers, and mounted men, as, had this not beet i] ' \ i bin the outposts could not have been visited or in any way Wm. M. Cbompton, Chairman. slosure 3 to No. 11. 'üblic Meeting.—New Plymouth, 22nd October, 1864. sons be appo nted by this meeting to draw up a letter to bit' 1 ut the injustice and impolicy of summarily discharging the civ: j s s ill unsafe to occupy the land, and without any provision

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having been made for enabling the farming and labouring population to support themselves, and requesting his Honor to urge the matter on the consideration of the General Government. Wh. M. Cbompton, Chairman. Enclosure 4< to No. 11. Sib,— New Plymouth, 22nd October, 1864. We have the honor to enclose, for your Honor's information, a copy of a Resolution passed this day at a meeting of the settlers of this Province, and in pursuance thereof we beg to draw your attention to some of the main considerations connected with the sudden order for the discharge of the militia, which in our opinion should be urged upon the attention of the General Government. The great ignorance of, or want of consideration for, the position and difficulties of the Taranald settlers shewn by His Excellency's Government in thus suddenly taking away from so many »f them their only certain means of support is most clearly shewn by the fact that the urgent application of the Provincial Government for the removal of martial law from the Province was refused only a few weeks since—order it may fairly be presumed not having, in the opinion of His Excellency and the General commanding, been sufficiently restored in the Province to admit of its affairs being properly administered under the limitation of the Suppression of Rebellion Act. Again, whilst by discharging the whole of the civilian forces no resource is left to the agricultural population but to seek a living from the land, the same act, by removing the civilian garrisons of the block houses, renders the cultivation of the land even within their circuit impossible or highly dangerous, as may be clearly apprehended from the fact that even whilst these garrisons are maintained the Officer Commanding has this week thought it necessary to issue stringent orders for watching the signs of approaching danger from the natives, and forbidding persons from moving singly between the blockhouses. Under the impression that these garrisons would be maintained, many have already put in crops, some are restoring their land to a condition fit for cultivation, whilst others have entered into contracts for the supply of fencing, &c. Many have gone to the full extent of their present means, and others beyond it, in expectation of soon receiving their compensation. Increased loss and embarrassment will be entailed upon those settlers who have embarked in these operations if the blockhouses, which now afford a certain amount of protection to their persons and property, should be abandoned or cease to be occupied by the militia, to say nothing of the certain destruction of the buildings themselves by the rebel natives. The exemplary patience and activity with which the civilian forces of this Province, old and young, have performed the duties required of them under most depressing circumstances and during a period of more than four years, may fairly be urged as an additional reason against dismissing them without notice; but such a want of recognition of their services might be passed over in silence if, when thus abruptly turned adrift, they had been placed in a position to maintain themselves. With respect to the impolicy of the proceeding, we cannot of course offer an opinion on the question as to whether the measures contemplated by His Excellency for the pacification of this Province can be as well carried out without the civilian forces, being in ignorance as to what those measures may be, but referring to the principle unanimously adopted by the General Assembly, that the only sure means of preventing the recurrence of struggles between the races was the introduction of a very large white population, we would point out that whilst at this Province, which has been the hotbed of the rebellious spirit, only 900 military settlers have hitherto been introduced, the present measure, throwing a large number of persons on their own resources at a time when the farmers are unable to engage in any extensive operations from want of capital owing to the non-payment of the compensation, from the insecurity of the country, and from the lateness of the season, must have the effect of driving many out of the Province. We trust that, by urging these considerations and others that may suggest themselves to your Honor, on the consideration of the Government, they will bo brought cither to revoke their order, or at least to make proper provisions for enabling all who are now here to support themselves without leaving the Province. We have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent of Wn. M. Ckompton", Taranaki. Chairman of Committee.

No. 12. Copy of a LETTER from Charles Beow> t, Esq., to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Superintendent's Office, New Plymouth, Sin,— 3d November, 1864. In reference to your letter of the 27th ultimo, No. 332, I have the honour to transmit a copy of the Message (No. 109) in which I forwarded a copy of your letter to the Provincial Council, and a copy of the Resolution passed by the Provincial Council in reply, with a copy of the Report of the Select Committee adverted to in the Resolution. With reference to that part which recommends that pecuniary assistance should be afforded out of the £5,000 to all settlers who cannot occupy their land by reason of the Maoris, and who are notable to work, I have the honour to state, that the relief given to indigent persons was, previous to the Militia and Volunteers being struck off pay and rations, at the rate of over £700 per annum, and the Provincial expenditure in the employment of those not, in the Militia at the rate of £7000 per annum. As regards the maintenance recommended of one company of Bushrangers, I have the honor to recommend that the two companies be put on duty. The feeling of security induced by their existent 1:;'-: led bo many in the past six months taking themselves off duty, pay, and rations, to restore and improve their properties ; the hostile natives are, or will shortly be, aware that the Bushrangers have ceased to do duty ; scattered settlers will therefore be not only in great danger of losing their

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lives, but small parties of Bushrangers will be more likely to meet parties of hostile natives, and suffer loss, than they were before they were struck off duty. May I beg the earliest consideration and reply of the General Government to the latter portion of my letter ? I have, &c., The Hon. Colonial Secretary. • CnAS. Brown, Superintendent. Enclosure 1 to No. 12. MESSAGE No. 109. Superintendent's Office, New Plymouth, Ist November, 1864. The Superintendent has the honor to transmit a copy of correspondence between himself and the Hon. the Colonial Secretary on the subject of the Taranaki Militia and Volunteers being struck off duty, pay, and rations ; and to recommend to the consideration of the Provincial Council in what manner and under what conditions the amount of £5,000 shall be expended, which the General Government has guaranteed the advance of by the Bank of New Zealand to the Province, for the employment in public works of the Militiamen now off pay and rations. Tee Superintendent is of opinion, that the most desirable course to adopt is, after deducting the amount to be expended in clearing the Bush which is required by the General Government, — 1. To convene meetings of the ratepayers for the districts in which public works can be carried on without danger to the men employed. 2. As far as practicable, to carry out such works as may be concurred in by the Commissioners of the various districts at a pro rata expenditure, according to the rat cable value of each district. 3. The work to be let off in small lots by piece-work, that may give fair wages to the men employed, and save the expense of overlooking small gangs. Speaker of Provincial Council, New Plymouth. Cuas. Brown, Superintendent. Enclosure 2 to No. 12. REPORT of a Select Committee appointed to Consider and Report upon His Honor the Superintendent's Message No. 109. In considering the Message referred to, it appears to your Committee that the object of the Provincial Government should be twofold, — Ist, To find useful employment by which settlers who are unable to obtain other work may be enabled to subsist. 2nd, To provide means by which they and other settlers working in the country may be protected from the hostile natives. And therefore the question to which your Committee gave their attention was, 3rd, How best to expend the £5,000 so as to combine these two objects. Ist, Tour Committee is of opinion that, as far as practicable, the money should be spent in districts which are least benefited by the Great North and South Road, and spent principally or wholly on works of a psrmanenfly useful character. That all works should be recommended by the Superintendent and approved by the Provincial Council, and be done by the piece only. That all settlers who cannot occupy their land by reason of the Maoris, and who are not able to work, should receive a pecuniary allowance in proportion to their need. But your Committee think that some useful work should be laid out near the town, and offered in the first instance to the Third-class Militiamen. 2nd, As to the second point, your Committee is of opinion that the only way of securing comparative safety to men scattered, as will now be inevitable, through the Bush and about the country, will be by maintaining at least one company of Bushrangers of 60 men, with proportion of officers and non-commissioned officers, composed of men who are thoroughly acquainted with the country and the duties required of thtm. If this is not done, and the country constantly scoured, your Committee is confident, from their past experience, that the block-houses upon the edge of the forest will be comparatively useless, and many valuable lives sacrificed ; whereas, if the Bush is constantly patrolled, the whole country will be rendered comparatively safe, and many settlers enabled to support themselves as heretofore, —though, of course, other means will be required to make it absolutely safe or fit for permanent occupation. This point, your Committee cons;ders, should be most strongly urged upon the General Government, more especially as no Defeuce Force has ever been raised in this province. 3rd, Should the General Government refuse, which your Committee hardly think likely, to embody a Bush Company upon any other conditions, your Committee would recommend that £1,000 of the £5,000 should be devoted to this purpose. This sum would maintain one company of the abovenamed strength for six weeks, by which time the General Assembly would have met and been enabled to consider the position of this province. A certain sum, which your Committee is unable to estimate at present, must also be set apart for the relief of persons unable to work, as already stated ; another sum to pay for the felling of the Bush at Manutahi, as required by the General Government; and the remainder devoted to the road work already spoken of. New Plymouth, 2d JNovember, 1864. William Noethcroft, Chairman. Enclosure 3 to No. 12. EXTRACT from Minutes of Council, New Plymouth, 2nd November, 1864. Resolved. — That a copy of the Report of the Committee on Message 109 be transmitted to His Honor the Superintendent, with a respectful addrcps requesting him to carry out, as far as practicable, the suggestions therein contained, and to communicate with the General Government on the urgent necessity of reorganizing the Corps of Bushrangers.

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B.—No. 4.

No. 13. Copy of a LETTER from the Hon. P. Wiiitaker to Charles Brown, Esq., Superintendent of Taranaki. Sib, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, Bth November, 1864. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Honor's letters, Nos. 70 and 71, dated the 3rd instant, in reference to the Militia and Volunteers being struck off pay and rations at Taranaki. The General Government regret that after a careful reconsideration of this matter, they do not feel themselves justified in altering the decision to which they have been compelled to come regarding it, and which has already been communicated to your Honor. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent of Taranaki, Predk. Whitakeb, New Plymouth. In the absence of Mr. Fox.

No. 14. Copy of a LETTER from Lieutenant-General Sir Duncan Cameron, X.C.8., to His Excellency Sir G. Gbet, K.C.B. Sib, — Head Quarters, Auckland, 24th October, 1864. I have the honor to forward a letter and its enclosures which I have received from Colonel Warre, commanding the troops at Taranaki, on the subject of the Militia and Volunteers of that Province who have been suddenly taken off pay and rations without any previous notice being given either to Colonel Warre or myself. Colonel Warre represents that as the bushrangers are employed, with the sanction of the Colonial Government, in clearing the bush near Mataitawa, it is absolutely necessary that they, as well as a small portion of the militia and mounted men, should be kept on pay and rations for some time longer; and states that he had taken upon himself to give an order to that effect. I shall feel obliged if your Excellency will obtain the consent of the Government to this arrangement. I have, <fee, His Excellency Sir G. Grey, X.C.8., &c. D. A. Camebon, Lieut.-General. Enclosure 1 to No. 14. Sib,— New Plymouth, October 21st, 1864. I have the honor to transmit for the information of the Lieutenant-General commanding, the accompanying copy of a letter received yesterday by the Officer commanding the Militia from the Houorable the Colonial Secretary, by which the Lieutenant-General will observe that the whole of the Militia and Volunteers, the Bushrangers, and the Mounted Corps, are put off pay and rations from the date of the receipt of that letter. As the state of this Province renders it absolutely necessary that the Block-houses at Bell Block, Omata, Ratanui, and Dingle's farm, should be occupied for the protection of this town and the surrounding district, and as the entire reduction of the civil forces would render it quite impossible to carry out the Lieutenant-General's instructions for the employment of the Bushrangers in clearing the bush between Manutahi and Mataitawa, I trust the Lieutenant-General will approve of my having kept the Bushrangers and a certain number of the Mounted Corps on pay and rations pending further instructions. The Bushrangers are actually now on active service, being encamped at Matakara, near Mataitawa, for the above-named purpose. I have also been obliged to keep a sufficient number of the Militia on pay and rations in order to occupy the four Block-houses above-named, and some of the mounted men to keep up the communication between the different outposts. As this Province may at any moment be overrun by rebel Maoris, and as it certainly would not be safe to withdraw the garrison from the several Stockades, I trust the Lieutenant-General will approve of my having taken upon myself to meet what I consider the absolute necessities of the case. I also beg to report that my services as Government Agent are discontinued; and I forward herewith copy of instructions in order to hand over to the Colonial Government an account of all the timber, &c, entrusted to my charge. I have, &c, The Assistant Military Secretary, Auckland. H. J. Wabbe, Colonel. Extract from Gabeison Ordeb. 1. With the exception of the men employed in completing the Blockhouses at Poutoko and Kairake, all men employed under the Royal Engineers in the construction of Public Buildings for the Colonial Government will return to their duty with their respective companies on receipt of this order. 2. Captain Corbett, as overseer of workmen in the Oakura district, will be pleased to collect all the Government tools, &c, which are to be delivered to the Royal Engineers. 3. Lieutenant Ferguson, R.E.j will, as soon as practicable, be pleased to hand over the whole of the unfinished buildings, timber, and Government tools to the Militia, in order that they may be taken in charge by the Quarter-Master of the Militia, and kept in store pending further instructions. Captain Corbett and the whole of the men employed under the Royal Engineers' Department will cease to receive extra pay as workmen from and after the 22nd instant. By Order, E. Bbutton, Lieut., Garrison Adjt. Enclosure 2 to No. 14. Sir, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, 18th October, 1864. I have the honor to inform you that the Government regret that they cannot continue your services as their agent at New Plymouth after the date of your receipt of this letter. I have to convey to you the thanks of the Government for the valuable aid you have rendered them while acting as their Agent. I have, &c, Colonel Warre, C.8., New Plymouth. William Fox.

9

REDUCTION OP MILITIA EXPENDITURE.

B.—No. 4.

Enclosure 3 to No. 14. Sib,— New Plymouth, 21st October, 1864. In acknowledging the receipt of your letter, No. 13, of the 18th instant, I have the honor to transmit copy of a Garrison Order* I have issued regarding the Government buildings, timber, tools, &c, now in charge of the workmen employed under my orders by Lieutenant Ferguson of the Royal Engineers. It will take some days to measure up all the timber belonging to the General Government in town and at Qakura, and to collect the tools now in use ; but I trust the course I have adopted to meet your wishes in terminating my duties as Government Agent will meet your approval. I have, &c, H. J. Warre, The Honorable the Colonial Secretary. Colonel commanding at Taranaki.

No. 15. MEMORANDUM by Mtni3tees. Upon the Lieutenant-General's letter, of the 21st inst., Ministers respectfully submit to His Excellency that the intention of the Government to strike the Taranaki Town Militia off pay and rations was formally made known to His Excellency before the instructions were issued, in a series oi official minutes on the subject, commencing on the sth October and ending on the 12th inst., on which date Ministers offered to retain the Taranaki Militia on pay if His Excellency would defray the charges from Imperial funds as advances to the Colony. Ministers presumed His Excellency would have given the necessary information to the military authorities, as all communications on military matters are made by His Excellency and not by the Colonial Government, who have no correspondence with the Lieutenant-General or Colonel Warre. Colonel Warre is in error when he supposes the orders issued by the Government were for the "entire reduction of the civil forces" at New Plymouth; there are still on constant pay in the service of the Colonial Government at that place 932 militiamen, including officers, enrolled for active service, and who are engaged to become military settlers in that Province. At the commencement of the war at Taranaki the strength of the Taranaki Militia including officers was 611. The military settlers above mentioned have been since enrolled and introduced into New Plymouth, so that after striking off pay the town militia or ordinary settlers of the district, there remains on service a much larger civilian force than Colonel Warre had before the settlers came from Melbourne in August, 1863. The expense to the Colony of maintaining the Taranaki Town Militia was about £64,000 per annum, the cost of the military settlers now without the ordinary militia is about £87,000 per annum, so that the Colonial expenditure is far greater now than it was when the town militia only was maintained. The Colony could no longer bear the strain of the double expenditure; the Government could not cut down that connected with the military settlers who have engagements with the Government which the Government are bound to maintain, and no alternative remained but to cut down the expenditure where it was possible. Ministers see the great importance of continuing the bush cutting operations about Mataitawa, and they propose to make arrangements with the Superintendent of the Province of Taranaki (who is now in Auckland) by which the Provincial Government of New Plymouth will be enabled to employ the bushrangers in clearing the bush and in other public works. Auckland, October 26th, 1864. T. Russell.

No. 16. Copy- of a LETTER from General Cameeon to His Excellency Sir Geoeoe Geet. Sic, — Head Quarters, Auckland, 28th October, 1864. With reference to the Memorandum of Ministers of the 26th instant, in reply to my letter to your Excellency of the 24th instant, on the subject of the Taranaki Militia and Volunteers, I have the honor to state that since the arrival of the military settlers in that Province, no necessity existed for keeping the town militia and volunteers on pay and rations, which I always understood was done by the Government out of consideration for the peculiar circumstances in which they were placed; but it is very necessary that the Officer Commanding at Taranaki should have the power of calling out a portion of them for temporary service on any serious emergency; and for this reason it is desirable that they should be mustered periodically for his inspection, which would entail very little inconvenience or expense. I would also suggest the same course with regard to the Auckland Militia and Volunteers, whose services, though not wanted in the present state of affairs, may be required hereafter, if it should become necessary to assemble a largo force of regular troops for active service in any other part of the Island, four regiments, besides the Waikato Militia, being absorbed in the mere occupation of territory taken from the rebel natives in this Province alone. I have, &c, His Excellency Sir George Grey, K.C.B. D. A. Cameron, Lieut.-General.

No. 17. Copy of a LETTER from Under Secretary for Defence to Lieut.-Colonel Lepper. Sib, — Colonial Defence Office, Auckland, sth November, 1864. Referring to my letters to you, on the subject of the Taranaki Town Militia being relieved from duty, I am now directed by the Minister for Colonial Defence to inform you it is the desire of the Government that the Taranaki Town Militia should be mustered for inspection of arms once a month; and lam to request yo% to take the necessary steps for having this done. Lieut.-Colonel Lepper, New Plymouth. I have, &c. William Seed. * Similar to that enclosed in a letter to Assistant Military Secretary of this date.

*Bet ante.

10

PAPEES RELATIVE TO THE

R—y O . 4.

No. 18. Copy of a LETTER from Undee Seceetaey for Defence to the Compteollee of Militia Pay, Auckland. Sib, — Colonial Defence Office, Auckland, 18th October, 1864. I am directed by the Minister for Colonial Defence to request you to reduce all Militia expenditure in the Auckland District to the amount authorized before Ist June, 1863, excepting in the departments of Military Secretary, Deputy Adjutant General, Comptroller of Militia Pay, Superintendent of Militia Stores, and to give notice at once to all persons who will be affected by this order that their pay and allowances will be discontinued after the 25th instant. The Comptroller of Militia Pay, Auckland. I have, &c. William Seed.

No. 19. MEMORANDUM for Major-General Galloway. The Comptroller of Militia Pay has been instructed to reduce the Militia expenditure in the Auckland district to the amount authorized before the Ist June, 1863, excepting in the departments named in the margin. The pay and allowances of all persons affected by this order is to cease after the 25th instant. Major-General Galloway is requested to be good enough to issue such directions, and take such steps as may be necessary for carrying out this arrangement. October 18, 1864. T. Russell.

No. 20. MEMORANDUM for Major-General Galloway. The Major-General commanding the Local Forces is requested to be good enough to issue the necessary orders for forthwith reducing the Colonial Defence Force in the province of Auckland to the strength named in the margin (viz., two officers and twenty-five men). In thus dispensing with the services of so many officers and men of the Colonial Defence Force, the Government desires that the Major-General will express to them its sense of the valuable aid they have rendered to the Colony since they were first enrolled, and particularly while they were engaged in actual service along with the Imperial troops. Major Walmsley is especially entitled to the thanks of the Government for the zealous and efficient manner in which he has always discharged his duties, and for the high state of efficiency which has characterised the Force ever since he has been associated with it. Colonial Defence Office, Auckland, 18th October, 1864. T. Russell.

No. 21. Copy of a LETTER from Undeb Secretary fob Defence to Lieutenant-Colonel Whitmobe. Sib, — Colonial Defence Office, Auckland, 18th October, 1864. I am directed by the Minister for Colonial Defence to request you, immediately on receipt of this letter, to take the necessary steps for forthwith reducing the strength of the Colonial Defence Force at Napier to two officers and twenty-five men. You will be good enough to select the two officers whose services you may consider it most desirable to retain, and report their names to this office for confirmation. I have, &c, Lieutenant-Colonel Whitmore, Napier. William Seed.

No. 22. Copy of a LETTER from the Hon. T. Russell to His Honor the Supeetntendent of Wellington. Sic, — Colonial Defence Office, Auckland, 17th October, 1564. I have the honor to request that your Honor would be good enough, immediately on receipt of this letter, to instruct Commandant Edwards to take the necessary steps for reducing the strength of the Colonial Defence Force in the Province of Wellington to two officers and twenty-five men in the whole. This arrangement is to be carried out, if possible, from the 30th instant. The selection of the two officers to be retained will rest with yourself. Such of the horses as are the property of the Government may be sold by auction, and the proceeds paid into the Sub-Treasury ; but it would be unadvisable, I think, to force them all on to the market ac once. I have, Ac, His Honor the Superintendent, Wellington. T. Russell.

No. 23. MEMORANDUM for His Excellency. Referring to the Memorandum addressed to His Excellency on the 12th instant, on the subject of certain reductions in the Colonial War Expenditure which were under consideration, Ministers now beg respectfully to inform His Excellency that directions have been given for effecting the whole of the reductions specified in that Memorandum, with the exception of laying up the Colonial steamer, " Sandfly." There is one other item of expenditure, however, which Ministers omitted to specify, and which they think, under present circumstances, should also be discontinued—viz., the extra pay which has been allowed to the Mounted Artillery Corps ; and they beg, therefore, that His Excellency will be good enough to inform the Lieutenant-General commanding that thra allowance will be discontinued after the end of the present month. Colonial Defence Office, Auckland, 25th October, 1864. T. Russell.

11

REDUCTION OE MILITIA EXPENDITURE.