STRENGTH OF THE NATIVES.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 141, 25 September 1863, Page 6 (Supplement)

STRENGTH OF THE NATIVES.

The New Zealander thus alßules to - tbo numbers and resources of the natives ;—- Let us first, then look at the numbers that an intelligent ami energetic man like William Thompson may be able to reach against Auckland, and whom he is so successfully inciting that “ i'o Auckland ! to Auckland I” is their urgent ay. The following is a carefully considered estimate:— Waikato, including Ngatihaua, may furnish (fighting man) 2,500 Mokaa ’3OO Taranaki, including Kgatiruanui, Wanganui and Xgatiawa 1,000 Taimo ’.IOO Thames and Gulf of Hauraki 800 Kotorua ... - 500 East Coast 2,000 7,500 This estimate has not been loosely pre* pared, but, but on the contrary, by reference to Mr. Fenton's work on native statistics the enumeration will be tumid to be rather under than over the mark. Here then, we have a native army of 7,500 men ; and, cutting oil one-third, if necessary, even 500 would be found a powerful array for our scattered line of defenders to encounter and arrest, and rescue Auckland from panic, pillage, incendiarism and partial slaughter. Granted—some objecting hypefcritic may say—that Wiliam 1 hompsou may mass his 5000, GOOD, or 7000 men—How is he to move ? How is he to feed them, and in what direction is the stroke likely to fall ? We have a ready answer to these and other objections ; and we bring them forward not to provoke controversy but to incite our rulers and fellow colonists to aroiise and guard themselves against the murderous designs of their infuriated foes.

Thompson ami iiis confederates have, it is said, Leen rs skillul in arranging their commissariat as in sending forth their summons lor collection of their forces. Their supplies have been organized so as to feed them to within within thirty miles of the city. Even outside our lines they will And farms forsaken, flocks of sheep and herds of cattle left untent* ed ; and on beef, mutton, pork, and fern root they can fare sumptuously as far as Taupo on the Thames, after which they will full upon the abundant stores that have so long been providing by their Auckland emissaries, and which have been carefully deposited in the neighbouring forest ranges. Let the inquiry be made of the extent of purchases by natives of flour, biscuit, and else of Auckland millers and bakers, and the amount will be found to be something surprising.