TO THE GOVERNOR OF NEW ZEALAND.

45

A.—No. la,

Enclosure 2 in No. 62. Sir F. Bogees to Sir E. Lugaed. Sie, — Downing Street, 3rd March, 1869. I have laid before Earl Granville your letter of the 16th ultimo, conveying the proposal of Mr. Secretary Cardwell, that, as an arrangement of mutual advantage to the British Colonies and the Mother Country, when any of Her Majesty's regiments are ordered to return home from service in the Colonies, a certain proportion of non-commissioned officers and privates of good character should be allowed their discharge if the Colonial authorities should desire to employ them as Policemen or in other places of trust. In reply, I am directed to express Lord Granville's concurrence with this proposal, which meets, in a certain degree, a portion of a suggestion which His Lordship has brought under the consideration of Mr. Cardwell, respecting half-pay officers and non-commissioned officers. As soon as Lord Granville shall have been furnished with Mr. Cardwell's views on the whole subject of the military defence of the Colonies, he will gladly suggest the adoption of this arrangement in a circular despatch, addressed to the Governors of those Colonies in which British troops may be stationed. I have, &c., Sir E. Lugard, &c, War Office. F. Booees.

Enclosure 3 in No. 62. Sir E. Lugaed to the Undee Seceetaet of State, Colonial Office. Sie,— War Office, Bth May, 1869. With reference to your letter of the 3rd March last, expressing the concurrence of Earl Granville in Mr. Cardwell's proposal, that inducements should be offered to a certain proportion of non-commissioned officers and men of regiments serving in the Colonies, to accept their discharge, with a view to their being appointed as Policemen, or to other offices of trust under the Governor, I am directed to request that you will inform His Lordship that, in concurrence with His Boyal Highness the Field Marshal Commanding in Chief, it is tho opinion of Mr. Cardwell that the men to whom free discharges might be given for this purpose, should be those who are within two years of completing the first term of service, and are desirous of remaining in the Colony after the return of their regiment to this country. Mr. Cardwell considers it desirable, however, that no inducements should be held out to soldiers to give up their service in the army except for employment of a permanent nature and of a sufficiently remunerative character. I have, &c, The Under Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Edwaed Lugaed.