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English
'Napier' August 23rd 1866 Sir, Major Fraser being desirous that no time should be lost in forwarding to your Honor the Maps of the East Coast Campaign I have myself brought them to Napier and handed them over to the care of Mr. Ormond. Being made from Sketch survey with Prismatic Compass and circumfrenter they are necessarily only approximately correct, altho' the work has been as carefully done as the circumstances under which it was executed would admit of - I bestowed especial care upon "Waiapu" and noted the bearings of those Petroleum springs of whose existence there is no doubt. I have had some conversation with Major Fraser on a subject that has long occupied my attention and the belief that the suggestion may be of real value must plead my excuse for the liberty of making it - A want of Geographical or more correctly Topographical knowledge has been one of the greatest difficulties that we have had to contend with in our recent campaigns against the natives - A method of obtaining that knowledge without entailing heavy expence would be a boon to the Colony. My plan is briefly that the Government should add a corps of Engineers to the Colonial Forces. I will illustrate my meaning further in this way, supposing I held a Commission I would proceed to train five or six men out of such of the Colonial forces, as might be stationed at the point nearest to the locality of which the Government required information, and speedily fit them to become an effective Survey and Engineer staff. A trifling addition to their pay would secure the acquiescence of the men and shortly at each military station could be prepared a number of men suited to the requirements of the Engineer service - Most valuable information might thus he acquired with very little extra expence - With the Cooperation of the Provincial Survey offices in furnishing material ready to hand a Military 'Trigonometrical' survey could be made of the whole island and a class of men created who would become invaluable to the Public service - Altho' I have but hinted at the subject I fear that I may have tresspassed too long, so trusting that your Honor may deem the matter worthy the attention of the Government, I have the Honor to remain, Sir, Your obedient servant, George B. Worgan To His Honor Donald McLean Esq. M. G. A.

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