A—No. Qd

to paymasters in the War office explanatory directions; and the estimates have been regularly transmitted and never objected to, from the 15th May, to the 22nd October, 1861, the date of the letter which directed pay to cease on receipt of the said letter, viz., on the 20th November, 1861, an order to which effect nas at once published. When it is considered, that in addition to what I have stated, have been at heavy pecuniary loss through absenting myself from my own affairs, in the first instance, at the request of the Governor ou an emergency of the Colony, and not for my own benefit, or at my own seeking; and subsequently, through the delay in settling the accounts on the'part of the Government, that lam entitled to a liberal compensation. With respect to the public money, collected by me for the sale of ammunition, it was paid to the Officer commanding the Wanganui Militia, on the 26th ult, by his directions iv the settlement of accounts made on that day. 1 have, &c, I. R. Cooper. W. Gisborne, Esq., Under Secretary, Wellington.

No. 15. THE UNDEK SECRETARY TO MAJOR COOPER. Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, August 9th, 1862. (No. 17.) Sir,— I am directed by Mr. Domett to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 4th inst., on the subject of your claim for compensation iv consequence of the delay that has occurred in the payment (jf arrears of salary due to you as Commanding Officer of the Militia at Wanganui, and in reply to inform you that copies of the correspondence and of other documents connected therewith have been laid before the House of Representatives. Under the circumstances, if you feel yourself aggrieved by the refusal of your claim, your best course would appear to be to submit your case to the consideration of that Body. I have, &c., Wi GISBORNE, Under Secretary. Major I. E. Cooper, Wanganui,

9

REORGANIZATION OF THE WANGANUI MILITIA.