A—No. 6d

and the central tribes is frequent, and much more regular than our communication with Government ; and the mail road between this Garrison and ths YVaitara, including the Ngatiruanui and Taranaki country, is open to the Natives only. The least cause or imaginary cause would exeito the Natives to act against us, and probably r» larger Native force could be brought against Wangsnui, in a short space of time, than against any other settlement in the country ; and its means of receiving suppprt from without are limited, as only small vessels can enter the Wanganui river. The Garrison consists of only 200 men, and it would require at least 400 of another Regiment to replace these 200 of the 65tb, every man of the 65ch being worth two of a Regiment fresh from home, for service in this country ; and an increased force of another coips would, 1 believe, excite suspicion in the Native mind. I shall be obliged by your informing me who is to act as the Governor's Deputy for calling out a part or all of the Militia, as tho Magistrates empowered to act, under tiia old Act, seem to irryvgine that their power has expired with the new Act. I have, &a, I. R. CoorF.R, The Honorable the Colonial Secretary, Major Commanding Wanganui Militia. &c, &c,

No. 4. MR. STAFFORD TO OFFICER COMMANDING MILITIA, WANGANTJI, Militia Branch, Colonial Secretary's Office, June 6th, 1851. Sir,— With refereneo to your letter of the 18th ultimo, forwarding an Estimate for the pay of the Wanganui Militia from the Ist to the 1 Gth May, 1861, I hare the honor to acquaint you that in conformity with arrangements entered into between the Civil and Military Authorities, the sum of One hundred and forty-five pounds fifteen shillings and seven pence has been placed to the credit of the Paymaster of the Wanganui Militia, with the Commissariat Officer in charge at that Station. I herewith return you your Estimates, the duplicate of which has been forwarded to the Military Secretary. Until further orders on the subject, the Paymaster of the Wanganni Militia and yourself will take for your guidance, with respect to the method of payment and rendering the pay lists to the Colonial Secretary, the form prescribed by the War Office Explanatory Directions to Paymasters, whose Department embraces in this re9pect the duties performed by the Secretary of State for War at Home. I have &c , Major Coopsr, E. W. Stafford. Commanding Militia and Volunteers, Wanganui.

No. 5. OFFICER COMMANDING MILITIA, WANGANUI, TO THE COLONIAL SECRETART. Wanganui, Hth June, 1861. Sir, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, No. 202, of the Gth instant, directing that the Paymaster of the Militia is to take for his guidance the War Office Explanatory Directions with respect to the method of payment, rendering p.iy lists, &c. Hitherto I have been unable to obtain a copy of that work, but hope to get one from the 57th Regiment. Ihe Estimate you allude to did not accompany your letter, and as there is some difference in the amount of pay estimated for by the Paymaster, and the amount actually received from the Commissariat Officer, it will be requisite that I should obtain the Estimate or a copy of it. I have &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, I. R. Cooper, &Ci &c., Major Commanding Wanganui Militia.

No. 6. i*R. STAFFORD TO OFFICER COMMANDING MILITIA, TVANGANUI. Militia Branch, Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, 3rd July, 1861. Sin, — With reference to the Warrant of the Gth May last, bringing the " Militia Act Amendment Act I860," into operation, I have the honor to transmit a Warrant renewing the authority to appoint tno times and places for training and exercising the Militia of the Wanganui District,

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