A—No. 6e

No. 2. THE COLONIAL SECRETARY TO THE SUPERINTENDENT, TARANAKI. Colonial Secretary's Office, Wellington, 16th July, 18G2. Sir, — I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Honor's letter, No. 33.. of the 27th of Jlay last, referring'to the recent reduction of the force employed by the Engineering Surveyor on the roads in Taranaki, and applying, with a yievt to the employment of surplus labour on other public works, for a Crown Grant of a portion of Mount Elliot (subject to requirements for Military purposes) as a Reserve for Harbour andßeach Improvements. Your Honor's letter has been referred to the Military Authorities, and, in enclosing a copy of Colonel Mould's report thereon, I have to inform you that, on the terms contained in that report, the Government is prepared to give the Grant applied for. I have, &c., William Fox. His Honor the Superintendent, Taranaki.

No. 3. THE ASSISTANT MILITARY SECRETARY TO THE PRIVATE SECRETARY. Head Quaiters, Auckland, 3rd July, 1862. So, — In reply to your letter of the 20th ultimo, I am directed by the Litut -General Commanding to return to you the enclosures you forwarded for his ccnsideiation, together with a letter from Colonel Mould, the Commanding Royal Engineer, upon the subjtct, with which he entirely concurs. 1 have &c, G. S. Whitmore, The Private Secrtary Assistant Military Secretary. &c, & c, Wellington

Enclosure in No. 3. COLONEL MOULD TO THE ASSISTANT MILITARY Si:CH£TAKY. Royal Engineer's Office, Auckland, 30th June, 1862. Sir,I have the honor to state in reference to the request contained in the correspondence returned herewith, that the portion of Mount Elliot at New Plymouth as yet unconveyed may he granted to (he Province of Taranaki; that in my opinion there is not any objection to thepropcsition nor to the execution of any works of levelling the area, on the full understanding that not any interference shall be permitted on the space surrounded by the entrenchment and its ditch, or with the present cart access thereto, until it is no longer required by the Military authorities; and also that when the ground is relinquished the permanent buildings thereon put up by the War Department sliall be removed and tho materials sold for the benefit of the Crown unless ihe Provincial Authorities avail themselves of the option of purchasing them at their then value. A written guarantee to the above effect should be given by the Superintendent of the Province previous to the issue of the Crown Giant, and should be deposited in the office of the Commanding Royal Engineer as Custodier of lands and buildings in the occupation of the War Department. I have, &c, Thos. R. Mould, Colonel Commanding Royal Engineers. The Assistant Military Secretary, &c, &c, &c. '

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MILITARY DEFENCE.