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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 13, Issue 659, 25 February 1869, Page 3

Colonial Officers.—lt is generally supposed tbafc there are by far too many oflicers in the Colonial Forces in proportion to the number of men : but such is not the case. In the British army the rule is one officer to every 20 men ; in the Colonial Forces, at the data of the last return, there were 19 commissioned officers, which is somewhat less than one for every 50 men.—Wellington Independent, 20th February. The Oante.rbu? Press on the East Coast Victory.—On one aecount we unfeignedly rejoice in this event. It is a great sacrifice on the part of any man to abandon bis ease and engage in a war in -which there is more than usual discomfort aud danger and no corresponding honor or profit. But to do so, and to be repaid by the perpetual abuse of the public press is indeed as ungracious a, lot as can be found in this world. Colonel Wbitraore haa met with nothing but abuse since he undertook the command of the West Coast. Ho has not been even given credit for the really soldierlike qualities and the capacity for command winch he has undoubtedly exhibited i for he did, according to all accounts, manage to get the West Coast force into something like discipline in a very short space of time. There is no doubt Colonel Whitmore is not a popular man. But we don't want a popular man; we want a good soldier, and we are very much pleased to find that, in spite of all the illfeeling displayed towards him, he has met with the soldiers best rew&vd-r-victory ; and a victory with so small a loss on his own side bespeaks not only the energy and courage, but also the eagaoity and skill of the commander.