COLONEL WHITMORE.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 14, Issue 703, 26 July 1869, Page 3

COLONEL WHITMORE.

Is the House of Representatives, on the 15th July,— Colonel Haultain asked the hon. the Native and Defence Minister, whether Col. Whitmore is still in command of any portian of the Colonial Force; and if so, why he has been prevented from proceeding to; theßay of Plenty, to restore order amongst a portion of the Constabulary stationed at &»t Galatea, who had refused to perform certain duties ? In explanation of his question, he would state that, a short time before the late Government left olfice, they received from the officer in command at Fort Galatea a report to the effect that a Portion of the Constabulary at that place in a state of insubordination, and had r efused to obey orders. The late Govern toent thought the matter so important and jNgent that they ordered down the steamer »t. Kilda, which was then at Napier, t. take Colonel Whitmore, then in command of the forces, to the Bay of Plenty, for the purpose of restoring order. The St. Kilda accordingly came to Wellington, and she wis to have started with Colonel Whittoore (who had received his orders from the late Government) on the Monday on

which the new Ministry were to be a worn in. The steamer did not leave Wellington on that day, and when she did leave. Col. Whitmore did not go in her. In papersi recently laid on the table of the House, and which contained a report from Mr Ormond, it was stated that disorganization, or a state of mutiny, in fact, still existed among some of the Constabulary at Fort Galatea. Therefore, he (Col. Haultain) asked whether Colonel Whitmore was still in command of any portion of the Colonial forces —a question which, he was sure, was regarded with interest by a large proportion of the members of the House, and by the Colony in general, more especially bj those who thought there was a probability of further disturbances If Col. W hitmore was still in command, and as it did not appear that any other steps had been taken to res tore order amongst the Constabulary, then he (Colonel tfaultain) asked, for what reason Colonel Whitmore had been prevented from proceeding to Fort Galatea, as or dered by the late Government, to check the disorganization amongst the men there ? Mr M'Lban said that the disorganization referred to by the honorable and gallant member was reported ; but subsequently information had been received by the Government that the men had resumed their work. Jhe Governm nt had not decided as to the course it would take with reference to Colonel Whitmore. The Government intended to consider the whole matter very fully, and its decision would in due course be made known to the Houre. It was not deemed advisable that Colonel Whitmore should at the time referred to, proceed to Fort Galatea ; but he (Mr M'Lean) believed that that honorable and gallant officer had been under examination by a medical board, and that the late Government intended to allow him a certain time to recruit his health. It was certainly not meant to convey anything like censure upon Colonel Whitmore, when he was restrained from proceeding to Fort Galatea. There was no doubt the steps taken with reference to the forces would restore order amongst the men, and that very shortly. Colonel Haultain.—l understood the honorable gentleman to say at first that order had been restored. Mr 'YITiEan. —1 said that the men had resumed their work. They had declined to work altogether ; but they are now at work. Colonel Haultain.—May I ask if that statement is based on information subsequent to Mr Ormond's report—dated 6th July, I think—in which it is stated that the men still remained in a state of mutiny. Mr M'Lean.—l shall be able to lay on the table, at an early period, papers by which the whole of the circumstances connected with the conduct of the force at Fort Galatea will be made known to the Souse.