Enclosure in No. 7. Copy of a Letter from Mr. E. Strickland to the Agent of the General Government. Sir, — Commissariat, New Zealand, Auckland, sth October, 18G6. I have the honor to enclose for your information copy of a letter received by me this day from the Deputy Quartermaster-General, and would beg to draw your attention particularly to the last paragraph, in which I am desired to inform the Major-General Commanding when the sum of £2,276 Os. 9d, agreed to be paid by the Colonial Government for the Military Electric Telegraph, has been into the Military Chest, and to request, on behalf of the Military Authorities, payment may be made accordingly. I have, &c, The Agent of the General Government, E. Strickland, Auckland. Deputy Commissary-General. Sub-Enclosure in No. 7. Copy of a Letter from Colonel D. J. Gamble to the Deputy Commissary-General, Auckland. Deputy Quartermaster-General's Office, Head Quarters, Sir,— Auckland, 2nd October, 1866. Adverting to my letter No. 496-186G, of the 17th August last, I have the honor, by direction of the Major-General Commanding, to inform you that the Military Electric Telegraph was finally transferred to the Colonial Government on the 30th September last. The Major-General will thank you to report when the sum of £2,276 Os. 9d., agreed to be paid by the Colonial Government, has been received into the Military Chest. I have &c. Tho Deputy Commissary-General, D. J. Gamble, Colonel, Auckland. Deputy Quartermaster-General.

No. 378 C 978 K

No. 573, 1866.

No. 8. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Fredk. Whitaker to tho Hon. E. W. Stafford. (No. 568.) Office of the Agent for the General Government, Sir,— Auckland, 26th October, 1866. With reference to my letter of the number and date quoted in the margin, and to your Memorandum thereupon, I have the honor to request that the Sub-Treasurer may have authority to pay the sum of £2,276 Os. 9d. to the Deputy Commissary-General, as the cost of purchase of tho Military Electric Telegraph. As the management of the Confiscated Lands is transferred from the Province, and as Military messages and messages on service for the Colonial Government will constitute the greatest part of tho work of the Telegraph Department, I think it more advisable that the establishment should belong to the Government. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. I'redk. AVhitaker.

No. 554, Oct. 11, 1866.

No. 9. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Fredk. Whitaker to the Hon. E. W. Stafford. Office of the Agent for the General Government, Sir, — Auckland, Ist November, 1866. I have the honor to enclose herewith the copy of a letter of the number and date in the margin, addressed to me by the Major-General Commanding the Forces, having reference to the immediate payment of the amount agreed to be paid to the Commissariat Chest on the completion of the transfer of the Military Electric Telegraph Line. I have, &c, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington. Fredk. Whitaker. Enclosure in No. 9. Copy of a Letter from Major-General Chute to Mr. Fredk. Whitaker. Sir,— Auckland, 26th October, 1866. With reference to the first clause of the Agreement relative to the transfer of the Military Electric Telegraph to the Colonial Government, which specified that on the completion of the transfer of the line, the sum of £2,276 Os. 9d. shall be paid into the Commissariat Chest, I have the honor to inform you that I have ascertained that this sum has not yet been received, although the transfer was effected on the 30th ultimo. I have to request therefore that you will be good enough to direct that the amount may be at once paid, in order that I may be enabled to report to the Home Authorities by the ensuing mail that the matter has been duly adjusted. I would add that I intend leaving for Wellington on Monday next, and I should be glad to have this arrangement completed prior to my departure. I have, &c, F. Whitaker, Esq., Agent to General Government, T. Chute, and Superintendent, Auckland. Major-General.

G. A. 66, 369, Oct. 26, 1866.

G. A. 66, 360.

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E.—No. 7.

PAPERS RESPECTING PURCHASE OE ELECTRIC