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A—2

Memoeandum referred to in the joint letter of the Agents-General of the Australian Colonies and Tasmania, addressed to the Eight Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies, dated 12th February, 1892. (a.) The officer to be an artillery officer on the active list, who has been through the Artillery College and manufacturing departments, who is fully qualified in all respects to inspect, pass, and purchase all warlike stores and materials, and who has full experience in ordnance and warlike stores of the latest type. He should also be a man of business capacity. (b.) The officer to have no interest in, or business connection with, any person, firm, or company making or selling warlike stores or materials, nor to be allowed to receive any remuneration, commission, or reward of any kind from any person supplying such stores or materials for the Governments concerned. (c.) The appointment to be for five years, from the Ist April, 1892, at a salary of £800 per year. (d.) Travelling-expenses to be allowed at the Imperial rates for field officers, and to be apportioned by the Agents-General amongst the colonies in accordance with the duties performed for each. (c.) It is probable that any clerical assistance which the inspecting officer might require could be afforded in respect of each colony by the Agent-General of that colony, in the same manner as is now done with regard to Major-General Steward. If otherwise, however, an allowance of £200 per year to be made for expenses of clerk and office-accommodation. (/.) The contributions to the salary and office-expenses to be assessed in proportion to the population shown by the census of the sth April, 1891 (excluding Maoris and other aborigines), such assessment to remain good for five years. (g.) Each colony to pay the officer through its Agent-General the proportion due to him on account of each colony respectively. (h.) Representations to be made to the War Office to include a request that the officer appointed should be ex officio a member of the Ordnance Select Committee.

Enclosure No. 2. The Colonial Office to the War Office. Sic, — Downing Street, 17th February, 1892. I am directed by Lord Knutsford to transmit to you, for the favourable consideration of Mr. Secretary Stanhope, a copy of a joint letter signed by the Agents-General for New South Wales, Tasmania, Queensland, Victoria, and South Australia, expressing the wish of their respective Governments for the appointment of an Imperial military officer on the active list to inspect and pass all warlike stores purchased in England on behalf of the Australian Colonies and Tasmania. I am to state that his Lordship has seen the Agents-General by whom this letter is signed, and that they have strongly pressed upon him the appointment of an officer thoroughly acquainted with the latest improvements, and either a member of the Ordnance Select Committee, which they would much prefer, or at all events an officer in touch with that Committee. This could be secured by appointing the officer selected to be an ex officio assistant member of the Committee, though without a vote in its proceedings. Should Mr. Stanhope entertain any doubt on the subject or desire further information, the Agents-General would be very glad to wait upon him to give further explanations, and in that case Lord Knutsford would be happy to be present. I am, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, War Office. John Bramston.

Enclosure No. 3. Mr. Peecival to the Colonial Office. Sic, — Westminster Chambers, 13, Victoria Street, London, 24th February, 1892. On the 12th instant the Agents-General for Australia and Tasmania addressed you on the subject of appointing an Imperial artillery officer to inspect and pass all warlike stores purchased in England for those colonies, and in reference thereto I have the honour to inform you that I have received a despatch from my Government stating that, having been invited to take part in the arrangement, they have approved of the proposal; I have therefore received instructions to act in concert with the other Agents-General to give effect to it. Under these circumstances I have placed myself in communication with the Agent-General for New South Wales, and I have now to request that you will be pleased to intimate to the Eight Hon. the Secretary of State for War that the Colony of New Zealand will be included in the number of the colonies for whom the Imperial officer to be appointed will be required to act. I have, &c, The Eight Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies. W. B. Peecival.

Enclosure No. 4. The Colonial Office to the Wae Office. Sir, — Downing Street, 2nd March, 1892. With reference to the letter from this department of the 17th of February respecting the wish of several of the Australian Colonies for the appointment of an Imperial artillery officer on the active list to inspect and pass warlike stores purchased in England on behalf of those colonies. I am directed by Lord Knutsford to transmit to you, to be laid before Mr. Secretary Stanhope, a