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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume IV, Issue 181, 1 July 1864, Page 5 (Supplement)

Correspondence in reference to remoral of Troops inland,. Supcriiitcndent’s][Offieo, Rapier, 12tli June, 18G3. Snt, —In the event of native disturbances assuming such an attitude throughout the country as to render it necessary that military protection should bo afforded to the settlers of the inland portions of this Province, I have (he honor to propose that an eligible site as a rallying point for inland settlers, should be selected by Major Whitmore and the officer commanding the Troops in this district. I have also to request that authority should bo furnished for taking this step when necessary, on the joint representation of Major Whitmore and myself. I make this application more especially with reference to the Wnipukurau, Ruataniwha, Porangahau, Waipawa, and other districts whicli'are?9o distant from Napier, that in the event of an incursion by the Northern tribes, the settlers there could be cut off in detail before any assistance could bo rendered from Rapier. I shall do in all my power to aid in meeting the additional expense which the formation of a new station would incur, and in inducing the settlers to furnish supplies at prices not exceeding what is usually paid for rationing troops at Napier, Should such a contingency arise as_l hare sug-

gcsted, I should be glad if the Government would favor me with some information as to the proportionate rate of expense which the Pro vince would be expected to contribute. I have the honor to be, sir, Your most obedient servant, (Signed) Donald M’Lean, Superintendent. The Hon. The Colonial Secretary, Auckland. Colonial Secretary’s Office, Auckland, 20th July, 1863. Sir,— * * * The expense of the Stockade at Waipukurau, 1 understand, was to bo borne by settlers of that and the adjoining districts, who would most profit by its erection. The other stockades, to avoid delay, can be paid for in the first instance by Government. Tour Honor is authorized to undertake such portion of the execution of the scheme as falls upon the General Government, which you will no doubt carry out in conjunction with Major Douglass and Major Whitmore. Some of the Waipukurau settlers have stated their willingness, according to Major Whitmore, to engage under penalties to supply the detachment of soldiers, should it be stationed there, with certain provisions for a period of twelve months’ at Napier contract prices. Probably the best way of carrying out this arrangement would be for the settlers concerned to enter into a contract in the usual manner with the commissariat to furnish these supplies on the terms proposed. ##***# . I have the honor to be, sir, Your most obedient servant, (Signed) Alfred Domett. His Honor The Superintendent, Napier. Superintendent’s Office, Napter, 30th Sept. 1863. Sir.—l regret that the continued absence of Mr. M’Leau obliges me to call your attention to circumstances, connected with the proposed location of troops in the inland district of this Province, a matter which it was intended should remain in abeyance until his return. The communications I have made to you (semiofficial) by this steamer, will, I trust, be sufficient in your opinion, to justify the advisability of preparationtfor any change that may possibly occur in the present peaceable state of this Province. I beg, therefore, to bring under your notice, that on the 26th September inst., I applied to Major Douglass, the officer commanding U.M. troops here, to knowwhether that officer w-as prepared, in accordance with an authority given by General Cameron for that purpose, to detach a company of the men under his command for the better security of the inland districts of this Province. At an interview held yesterday between that gentleman, Major Whitmore, and myself, it was arranged that the troops should bo ready to go inland on an early day next month, upon the requisition of Mr. M’Lean, whose return from the Wellington Province is daily expected, but t::at in the meantime preparations for provisioning them, &c., there, should be made.

Major Douglass stated that under the authority given by the General Commanding, it was required that the Provincial Government should undertake to defray any expense that might be incurredhn transporting the troops inland, or maintaining them there, in excess of what the same troops would cost the Imperial Government if stationed at Napier. The arrangement come to pending this expense between the officer commanding here and the Provincial Government is that as it is considered there is not sufficient authority for the Commissariat officer to pay the whole expense of the troops to be sent inland from the Commissariat funds, the Provincial Government shall (to obviate any difficulty in the matter) defray the whole cost in the first instance, the Commissariat officer paying the contractor, with Provincial money. The Provincial Government to be paid at the end of each month, the difference between what it has paid, and what the cost of the same number of troops would have been if stationed here.

My object in communicating with you is to beg that you will obtain a reconsideration of the terms upon which the very necessary services of the troops in our inland district is granted to us. I am aware that Mr. M’Lean, in writing to you on this subject on a former occasion, was of opinion that the settlers resident in the inland district would undertake the expenses referred to. Mr. M’Lean has, however, since fonnd that the carrying out of this idea is impracticable. The Provincial Government has readily undertaken to provide Parrack accommodation for the troops, but submits that it is unusual and scarcely fair to charge the Province with any further expense. Indeed, with the very large unexpected expenditure which has to be met in connection with defensive measures necessary in the present unsettled state of the country, the Provincial Government find it most difficult to meet its financial engagements. Trusting that His Excellency’s Government will use their exertions to release this Province of any charge except that of Barrack accommodation attendant on stationing troons in the inland district of the Province. I have the honor to bo, sir, Hour most obedient servant, (Signed) J. D. Ohmoxb, Deputy-Superintendent. His Honor The Colonial Secretary, Auckland. Colonial Secretary’s Office, Auckland, 10th October, 1863. Sib, —I have to acknowledge the receipt of Mr. Ormond’s letter of the 30th ult., on the subject of the proposed location of a detachment of troops in the Province of Hawke’s Bay, and, in reply, to inform your Honor that, as the arrangement for sending that detachment into the interior was made with the Lieut.-General Commanding, on the distinct understanding that they should be supplied with provisions at the Napier rates, and as this was the spontaneous offer of the settlers of

Waipukurau, communicated through your Honor to the Government, and by the Government to the General, it is impossible to request him to reconsider it, after the instructions for the removal ot the troops have been given. With respect to the expense of providing Barracks, the offer of the Provincial Government, or the settlers of was that they would pay the expense of a Stockade , not barracks. This will be represented to the General. It is clear that the cost of Barracks should not fall on the Province. The same rule must be observed with respect to Hawke’s Bay, as is adopted in the case of other Provinces in this respect, as well as with regard to any other charges connected with the troops. I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient servant, ( Signed ) Alfred Domett. His Honor ihe Superintendent, Hawke’s Bay. [The i-eport of Friday’s proceedings we are obliged to defer, owing to the long discussion which occurred on the Superintendent’s address being taken into consideration, a full report of which will appear on Friday next.