CORRESPONDENCE.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume V, Issue 263, 10 May 1865, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

o We shall always feel pleasure in affording space for the free discussion of all subjects affecting the prosperity and progress of the province and colony, not endorsing any opinions expressed in this portion of our columns, and always reserving to ourselves the right to curtail any expression wanting in courtesy on the part of the writer. All conlnmnicationß must he accompanied by the name and address of the writer in confidence, and as a guarantee of good faith.

Sib, —Perhaps you do not pretend to much knowledge in military engineering. Certainly I do not, and I think pur engineer at the Mohaka ' must be only an amateur, therefore there will be no great.prammption in my excising tus. work; at the Mohaka blockhouse. The general feeling here is that puSfic money is being squandered under his management. To make this a little plain I may remind you that a blockhouse 'was erected id 1863 under the superintendence of Captain Allan, a Crimean officer, who may be allowed some professional .knpwledge in such matters. Hfs theory was that the blockhouse being rendered ball-proof and well -loopholed, with only a small number of defenders, should be sufficient by itself; that earthworks which could not be held would prove a source of weakness j that no cover should be left for the enemy, but that a light palisading might form an obstacle to a sudden rush from the attacking party, without affording any shelter from Enfield balls. This all seems simple and reasonable, but does not appear to suit the wants of our present engineer. A party of navvies have been employed for some time in making a rampart round the building, being a sod wall about 4 feet high and a ditch inside of about 3 feet (a simple IfKagon, without any means of enfilading the outer face). This improvement renders the loopholes of the ground floor of the blockhouse useless, for a four feet bank of course gives capital cover for the enemy, while on the other hand to hold the earthworks would require at least 60 men. I believe the engineer has a hazy notion that he would have the assistance of a party of friendly natives ; if so he will be mistaken, for is it reasonable to suppose that if the district is attacked by the hau-hau fanatics that any natives will desert their women, and children, and houses, to help defend us ? No ;we shall either not have a man, or else we shall have every soul—man, woman, and child—and no provisions for them. Perhaps a low bank of 18 inches or 2 feet, with a ditch of 4 feet inside, might have been an improvement to the blockhouse, affording shelter for the defenders to stretch their legs, and for cooking in. This would prevent fern rollers being used by the enemy—would afford no cover out™ side—and if the enemy were foolish enough to come into the ditch they would remain there, or rather their carcases would. Some may say it is ill-advised thus to expose the fault of the place, but plenty of the king natives have seen it, and of course the description of it is carried everywhere. I do not much admire the present desultory kind of native garrison, sometimes a large party at other times none; but then it is a fine thing for the engineer who supplies^them. This genius will no doubt reflect much glory on the Mohaka yet. Many aii insignificant place has been rendered famous through being the birth place or dwelling place of some great man— Stratford-on-Avon, St. Helena, Caprera, &c, to wit. I am told that the authorities appreciate him, and have made him a General or something, but the settlers of the district are so thick-headed that they don't believe in him, and are resolved not to serve under him if they can help it. Yours, &c, . ,'K. Mohaka, April 26, 1865. [This is the third communication we have received from differeut sources on the folly of the protecting earthwork. Our correspondent should remember that the ruling powers here value the lives of the rebels much more than those of the colonists or military, and the protection of the enemy from slaughter, as much as possible, as one of the main principle of the (sic) campaign.—Ed.]

To the Editor of the Hawke's Bay Times. Sir, —I think a grumbler has a right to exercise- his functions when he don't get his letters regularly ; and in such unsettled times people are more than usually anxious for the "latest tidings." We get a mail here now about once a fortnight, though contracted for once a .week. It appears that the carrier is a hau-hau, and he comes and go when he chooses, and is saucy as well. Don't you think that the postmaster ought to be authorised to employ a substitute at the expense of the contractor when he fails in his duty. The Wairoa folks don't appear to growl much, for they can send their letters by water very often. We have no other resource left than to place the matter in the hands of our GRUMBLER. Mohaka, April 26,1865. [The fact of the. carrier being a Maori and a hau-hau, is sufficient reply to a Grumbler. If he were a settler the terms of the contract would be enforced; but what control have the Governor over the natives, or how could the said terms- be enforced in this case.—EfiQ. ' ' To the Editor of the ffawke's Bay Times. Sis, —Permit me through the medium of your valuable paper to say a few words in respect to Mr Newton offering himself as a candidate, at the forthcoming election, for the town of Napier. Now, Sir, I as a working man remember M..' Newton when he represented the town before, and I hope the laborers of Napier will remember what he resigned for, and what his actions where afterwards; at any rate I have, not forgotten it. Policy like his is not so soon forgotten, therefore I do hope that the laborers and electors of Napier will show that they know how to appreciate such conduct, by not single vote in his favor. I a_m fellow-electors, one of yourselves, PETER SEABLE. Napier, May 6. . h . ,■ . • ,