B.—No. 4.

No. 13. Copy of a LETTER from the Hon. P. Wiiitaker to Charles Brown, Esq., Superintendent of Taranaki. Sib, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, Bth November, 1864. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your Honor's letters, Nos. 70 and 71, dated the 3rd instant, in reference to the Militia and Volunteers being struck off pay and rations at Taranaki. The General Government regret that after a careful reconsideration of this matter, they do not feel themselves justified in altering the decision to which they have been compelled to come regarding it, and which has already been communicated to your Honor. I have, &c, His Honor the Superintendent of Taranaki, Predk. Whitakeb, New Plymouth. In the absence of Mr. Fox.

No. 14. Copy of a LETTER from Lieutenant-General Sir Duncan Cameron, X.C.8., to His Excellency Sir G. Gbet, K.C.B. Sib, — Head Quarters, Auckland, 24th October, 1864. I have the honor to forward a letter and its enclosures which I have received from Colonel Warre, commanding the troops at Taranaki, on the subject of the Militia and Volunteers of that Province who have been suddenly taken off pay and rations without any previous notice being given either to Colonel Warre or myself. Colonel Warre represents that as the bushrangers are employed, with the sanction of the Colonial Government, in clearing the bush near Mataitawa, it is absolutely necessary that they, as well as a small portion of the militia and mounted men, should be kept on pay and rations for some time longer; and states that he had taken upon himself to give an order to that effect. I shall feel obliged if your Excellency will obtain the consent of the Government to this arrangement. I have, <fee, His Excellency Sir G. Grey, X.C.8., &c. D. A. Camebon, Lieut.-General. Enclosure 1 to No. 14. Sib,— New Plymouth, October 21st, 1864. I have the honor to transmit for the information of the Lieutenant-General commanding, the accompanying copy of a letter received yesterday by the Officer commanding the Militia from the Houorable the Colonial Secretary, by which the Lieutenant-General will observe that the whole of the Militia and Volunteers, the Bushrangers, and the Mounted Corps, are put off pay and rations from the date of the receipt of that letter. As the state of this Province renders it absolutely necessary that the Block-houses at Bell Block, Omata, Ratanui, and Dingle's farm, should be occupied for the protection of this town and the surrounding district, and as the entire reduction of the civil forces would render it quite impossible to carry out the Lieutenant-General's instructions for the employment of the Bushrangers in clearing the bush between Manutahi and Mataitawa, I trust the Lieutenant-General will approve of my having kept the Bushrangers and a certain number of the Mounted Corps on pay and rations pending further instructions. The Bushrangers are actually now on active service, being encamped at Matakara, near Mataitawa, for the above-named purpose. I have also been obliged to keep a sufficient number of the Militia on pay and rations in order to occupy the four Block-houses above-named, and some of the mounted men to keep up the communication between the different outposts. As this Province may at any moment be overrun by rebel Maoris, and as it certainly would not be safe to withdraw the garrison from the several Stockades, I trust the Lieutenant-General will approve of my having taken upon myself to meet what I consider the absolute necessities of the case. I also beg to report that my services as Government Agent are discontinued; and I forward herewith copy of instructions in order to hand over to the Colonial Government an account of all the timber, &c, entrusted to my charge. I have, &c, The Assistant Military Secretary, Auckland. H. J. Wabbe, Colonel. Extract from Gabeison Ordeb. 1. With the exception of the men employed in completing the Blockhouses at Poutoko and Kairake, all men employed under the Royal Engineers in the construction of Public Buildings for the Colonial Government will return to their duty with their respective companies on receipt of this order. 2. Captain Corbett, as overseer of workmen in the Oakura district, will be pleased to collect all the Government tools, &c, which are to be delivered to the Royal Engineers. 3. Lieutenant Ferguson, R.E.j will, as soon as practicable, be pleased to hand over the whole of the unfinished buildings, timber, and Government tools to the Militia, in order that they may be taken in charge by the Quarter-Master of the Militia, and kept in store pending further instructions. Captain Corbett and the whole of the men employed under the Royal Engineers' Department will cease to receive extra pay as workmen from and after the 22nd instant. By Order, E. Bbutton, Lieut., Garrison Adjt. Enclosure 2 to No. 14. Sir, — Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, 18th October, 1864. I have the honor to inform you that the Government regret that they cannot continue your services as their agent at New Plymouth after the date of your receipt of this letter. I have to convey to you the thanks of the Government for the valuable aid you have rendered them while acting as their Agent. I have, &c, Colonel Warre, C.8., New Plymouth. William Fox.

9

REDUCTION OP MILITIA EXPENDITURE.