Sir, I have the honor to submit for the consideration of Your Excellencys Govt. the following arrangement, for the defence of Whaingaroa. After full enquiry I found that it would be impossible for a scattered agricultural European community to take the duty of defending a stockade Natives would have no direct interest in doing so, and such an erection might invite rather than prevent an attack. I have therefore proposed that a house should be erected for Wiremu Nero on a rising ground the site of an old Pa about the centre of the town as a place for refuge in case of need, and that a Pa should be made by himself and his followers round this house. The site forms part of a public reserve but I trust your Excellency will cause half an acre of the said reserve to be made over to Wm. Nero in fee simple as it is required for purposes of public safety. A sketch indicating the position of the reserve is enclosed herewith. I have taken upon myself to request the Resident Magistrate to issue a notice for contracts for the immediate erection of a building 40 feet long by 30 wide with a chimney and well to be sunk, the site is much approved of by Nero as well as by the European inhabitants. The fact of making the property Neros will ensure its being always guarded by himself and his people, and while the arrangement indicates no appearance of hostility or challenge to other tribes, it is fully understood by Nero that it will be used for such a purpose if necessary. The importance of Wiremu Nero as an ally supported as he is by 5 or 600 men induces me to recommend to the favourable consideration of Your Excellency that in addition to the above house he should he in future secured a pension for life of £100-0-0 a year.