5

H.—6k

The Hon. T. Thompson to the Right Hon. the Premier, Greymouth. (Urgent telegram.) 27th December, 1899. Following received from His Excellency: "Referring to telegram from Secretary of State for Colonies, which was telephoned to Premier, copy being in despatch bag of last night, ' Should be glad to know of any deficiencies, also if officers for Hotchkiss contingent are desired from England, also as regards amount '303 mark 11. ammunition you can send.—Ranfurly.' " To which I have replied as follows: "Composition of contingent —mounted infantry, two companies : One major, two captains, six lieutenants, two hundred and four non-commissioned officers and men, and two hundred and fifty horses. No regimental or other transport. Sail about the fifteenth January, and arrive sixteenth February at the Cape. Machine-gun detachment : Two officers, thirty non-commissioned officers and men, fifty horses. Sail as transport is available. Guns and ammunition to be supplied by Messrs. Armstrong, Whitworth, and Company on arrival at the Cape. Will cable date of departure as soon as arranged. Instructors to be furnished by Armstrong and Company. No regimental or other transport. If, on the receipt of the original message, which is coming in the despatch bag, I find that fuller information is required, I will be happy to supply it later. I think, however, that the above information is all that is wanted. I will be glad to hear from Your Excellency if the information contained in this telegram is sufficiently complete to enable you to reply to cable, if not, I will be glad to supply any deficiency if possible. The Premier has left Nelson again, and will probably reach Greymouth some time this evening." T. Thompson.

(Telegram.) Wellington, 28th December, 1899. The full text of cable arrived this morning, and I am now in a position to give your Excellency fuller particulars with regard to the Contingent and machine-gun detachment, viz. : Mounted infantry, two companies; one major, two captains, six lieutenants, 204 non-commissioned officers and men, 250 horses, with farriers and saddlers to accompany troops; 500 rounds of ammunition per man can also be supplied if considered necessary. Personal and regimental equipment, camp equipment, stable and picket gear, nose-bags, grooming-kits, horseshoes, farriery tools, &c, supplied as in First Contingent. No regimental or other transport. Troops to sail about 15th January, and arrive at Cape 16th February. Machine-gun detachment: Two officers, thirty noncommissioned officers and men, and 50 horses, to sail as transport is available. Guns and full equipment to be supplied by Messrs. Armstrong and Co. on arrival at the Cape. Armstrong also furnish instructors, and although ammunition is not specifically mentioned, this, I take it, is necessarily a part of the full equipment of the guns, which should be accompanied by a certain number of rounds. The officers for the gun detachment will be sent from the colony. We are receiving numerous offers of horses to be proffered as a gift to the Imperial authorities, but are not yet in a position to say what the number will be. His Excellency the Governor, Waikanae, or forward.

Governor the Earl of Ranfurly to Mr. Chamberlain. (Telegram.) (Received Colonial Office, 6 a.m., 29th December, 1899.) Referring to my telegram of the. 28th December, following will go with Contingent: Farriers, saddlers, personal and regimental equipments, including camp equipment, saddlery, stable, and picketing gear, nosebags, grooming-kits, horseshoes, farriers' tools. Owing to want of information here Agent-General is requested to arrange details with War Office regarding Hotchkiss detachment. At what port shall Contingent disembark?

Memorandum for the Right Hon. the Premier. The Governor has received the following cable from the Secretary of State for the Colonies: " Colonial Force: Transport should call for orders at Capetown." Wellington, 4th January, 1900. Ranfurly.

Memorandum for the Right Hon. the Premier. The Governor has received the following cable from the Secretary of State for the Colonies: " Her Majesty's Government learn with much pleasure of the despatch of the Contingent, and of the loyalty and enthusiasm shown by New Zealand." The Press might be informed of this. Wellington, 21st January, 1900. Ranfurly.

Memorandum for the Right Hon. the Premier. The Governor begs to inform the Premier that he has received a reply to his cable of the 17th, informing the Imperial Government of the departure of the Third Contingent. Her Majesty's Government learn with very great satisfaction of the departure of the Third New Zealand Contingent, and of the loyalty and enthusiasm prevailing ; also of contemplated departure of a Fourth Contingent towards end of March. Government House, Wellington, 19th February, 1900. Ranfurly.