A—No. 4

MEMORANDA FROM MINISTERS

Enclosure in No. 2. SIB HENRY STORKS TO MR. ELLIOT. War Office, 11th December, 1858. Sib,—With reference to your Letter of the 28th ultimo, enclosing an Act of the Legislature of New Zealand for raising a Militia within the Colony, I am directed by Major-General Peel to transmit to you, to be laid before Secretary Sir E. B. Lytton, the accompanying copy of a communication which has been received on the subject from the Military Secretary to the General Commanding-in-Chief. Major General Peel requests that Sir E. B. Lvtton will call the attention of the Governor of New Zealand to the observations of His Royal Highness, with a view to an amendment of the Act in the particulars pointed out. I have, &c, T. F. Elliot, Esq., ' H. K. Storks. &c, &c, &c.

Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure in No. 2. COLONEL YORKE TO THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR WAR. Horse Guards, 6th December 1858. Sip.,— I hare had the honour to lay before the General Commanding-in-Chief, your Letter of the 2nd instant with its enclosure from the Colonial Office, forwarding the copy of an Act relative to the Militia of New Zealand, and requesting to be informed whether M.8.11. is of opinion that this Act should be confirmed, and I am directed to state for the information of Major General Peel that H.R.H. has observed that there is no clause in this Act (herewith returned) giving precedence to Colonels of H.M.s regular Army over all Militia Officers, and to Officers below that rank, precedence of all Militia Officers of equal rank, though the Commissions of the latter be of elder date. And further, that by the 7th Clause, the Militia even in time of actual invasion, rebellion, or insurrection, cannot be moved beyond the boundaries of its own District, unless they volunteer for service out of the same. I have, &c, The Under Secretary of State, C Yorke. War Office.

No. 3. DESPATCH FROM THE RIGHT HON. SIR E. B. LYTTON, BART., TO GOVERNOR GORE BROWNE, C.B. Downing Street, 4th January, 1859. Sir, —With reference to that part of my Despatch, No 38 of the 2nd ultimo, in which you were informed that the Act of the Legislature of New Zealand, No. 15, of the 21st and 22nd Victoria, entitled " An Act to regulate the Postal Service of the Colony of New Zealand," was under the consideration of Her Majesty's Government, I have now to acquaint you that I have laid this Act before the Queen, and that it will be left to its operation. I have, &c, Governor Gore Browne, C.B, E. B. Lytton. &c., &c, &c.

No. 3.

No. 4DESPATOH FROM THE RIGHT HON. SIR E. B. LYTTON TO GOVERNOR GORE BROWNE, C.B. Downing Street, 24th January, 1859. Sir, —Her Majesty's Government have had under their consideration a Bill passed by the New Zealand Legislature, No. 76, entitled " An Act to make further provision for the settlement of Land Claims," and reserved for the Assent of Her Majesty. I have the honor to inform you that Her Majesty has been advised to assent to the same, and that the necessary Order will be transmitted to you by the earliest opportunity. I have, &c, Governor Gore Browne, C.8., E. B. Lytton. &c, &c, &c. ________^________

No. 8.

No. 5. DESPATCH FROM THE RIGHT HON. SIR E. B. LYTTON TO GOVERNOR GORE BROWNE, C.B. Downing Street, 19th February, 1860. Sir, —With reference to that part of my Despatch, No. 38, of the 2nd in which you were informed that the Act of the Legislature of New Zealand, No. 14 of 21st and 22nd Victoria «' for preventing desertion and other misconduct of Seamen belonging to Foreign Ships," was under the consideration of Her Majesty's Government, I transmit for your information the copy of a Letter,

No. 12.

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