Auckland.—Pensioners to be employed as Mechanics.

I am aware of the inconvenience which must be felt from the want of mechanics; and in fact arrangements had been made, previously to the receipt of your communication on the subject, which will in some measure supply that difficulty, care having been taken that, in selecting the military pensioners who are enrolled for service in New Zealand, a selection should be made of about fifty men who have worked as carpenters, sawyers, bricklayers, masons, blacksmiths, painters, glaziers and miners; and I have instructed the Master-General of the Ordnance to send out a sergeant and twelve Sappers and Miners, who from their superior qualifications will be able to superintend the labours of the persons in question.