UPPER WAIKATO.

Evening Post, Issue 266, 14 December 1865, Page 2

UPPER WAIKATO.

The Southern Cross Correspondent it Alexandra, writes, November 20 :— : The reduction of the strength of the 2nd Waikato Regiment still continues. In consequence of the serious and lengthened indinposition of the QuartermasterSeigeant of the 2nd Regiment, a garrison quartermaster-sergeant has been appointed to do the duty, from the Ist Regiment. ' The Imperial Government has decided not to supply rations to the colonial forces after the 30th day of the current month. This wi|H place the Colonial Government on their mettle, and no mistake. The notice was very short, and most peremptory. What arrangements the Colonial Government will make puzzles me. The best way will be to send up stores for three or six months, or even a shorter period, to meet the emergency, for the average strength at each post ; and after that, if it prove impracticable to issue provisions, to pay each man so much a day in lieu there* of. In most cases as regards the 2nd Regiment, the yearly rations, allowed by regulations after the men have been struck off pay, expire during the- months of February, March, and April ensuing. Meantime there is no stock to fall back upon here. We have been solely dependent on the Imperial Government, who furnished us with a monthly supply upon estimate. It it rather fortunate that the late heavy rains have so swollen the river that a steamer or large barge can easily get up here now, and thus bring a supply of stores, if obtainable. A week or ten days may make a vast difference, as the Waipa subsides considerably in hot dry weather, and with a rapidity trjily amazing. v / \ . 27. The men belqnging torfhe 2nd' Waikato Regiment attacWl tcr the Commissariat Transport CorpsVra under orders to rejoin the retJJM^Pyhen they will be struck off pay 9P^IHB' > tt£J ye duty. Bishop Sel^n paiaus\* visit to-day. He ex pres9jtfT satisfaction at^ie comparative ad vajpjment as a se ttlemeoL but at the same tune, he told us that he wasWurprised at tiapnnding a regular place of worship, devoted to the services of the Established Church, as yet in existence amongst us.