A.—No. 6a

» MEMORANDUM foe the honobable the colonial seceetaby. An extraordinary expenditure, estimated at the rate of about £12,000 per month, is now being incurred by the Colonial Government, on account of Military defence, for the protection of the settled districts of the Northern Island from attack by the Natives. Specific provision for this purpose has not been made by the House of Representatives. Tho emergency which called for preparations on so large a scale was unforeseen, and so sudden that no time was afforded for summoning the General Assembly. Ministers, for the public safety have, up to this time, met this expenditure from any funds in the Treasury. These are now, however, fast becoming exhausted. The Assembly has beeD summoned to meet for the despatch of business on the 19th October next, and it is submitted that His Excellencv the Governor be requested to move the General to authorise the issue of money as an advance from the Commissariat, to meet the expenses in question, until the Government can propose to the Legislature to make the necessary provision, which they will do at an early period of the Session. After the correspondence that has taken place on this subject with the Imperial Government, it is a matter of regret that circumstances should have arisen to compel this application, which has not been made until it became necessary, to save the Treasury from financial difficulty. Eeadee Wood. Treasury, Auckland, 10th August, 18G3.

Enclosure 2 to No. 1. LIEUTENANT-GENEBAL CAMEEON, C.B., TO GOVEENOE SIE GEOEGE OBEY, K.C.B. Head Quarters, Queen's Eedoubt, August 16th, 1863. SlE, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, with its Enclosures from the Secretary of State, authorising advances to the local Government from the Treasury Chest for Military purposes, under urgent and unforeseen circumstances, and to inform your Excellency that I have authorised the payment by the Commissariat of £12,000 a-month to meet the present expenditure incurred in protecting the settled districts of the Northern Island, until the General Government, as explained in the Memorandum of Ministers, is able to provide the necessary funds. I have, &c, D. A. Cameron, „, lieutenant-Genera], Governor Sir George Grey, K.C.B.

No. 2. copy of DESPATCH fbom govebnob sib geoege geey, k.c.b., to his gbace the duke of NEWCASTLE, K.G. Government House, Auckland, 1st August, 1863. My Lord Duke, — I have the honor to enclose for Your Grace's information a Eeturn of the Militia, Volunteers, and Local Forces of this part of the Province of Auckland, for the month of July. 2. The inhabitants of this part of the Country have come forward with the best spirit to meet the present great emergency, and we have now in all about 3,000 men under arms, and performing active service. 3. In this number are included a force of 265 men, regularly enrolled for continuous service under Colonel Pitt, which we are increasing as rapidly as we can, besides a mounted force of 100 men. Both these bodies of men will act under the General's orders, in any part of this Island exactly in the same manner as regular troops. I have, &c, G. Grey. His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, K.G., &c.

Augnst 18th, ISC3.

No. 91. MILITIA AND VOLUNTEERS.

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