ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume I, Issue 19, 15 February 1845, Page 4

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

Wellington, Feb. 11, 1845. Sir, — I am directed by the Volunteer Corps Committee to request " that you will be good enough to allow the unpaid Magisstrates to meet at your residence, on Thorndon Flat, and that you would also take the Chair on that occasion, and then seriously take into consideration in connection with your brother Magistrates, the peculiar circumstances which surround the colony, and the danger which threatens the inhabitants, through their unprotected and unprepared state." I would beg leave to state, that the Magistrates, generally, consider the settlement in that ccadition as to warrant the calling out of the settlers for the pufpose^of being trained and drilled, and that you will thus have the gratification, of pleasing the whole of your fellow colonists, both rich and poor. If you would allow me to suggest, I think that Thursday, at 2 o'clock in the day, would be the best time for meeting, as the Committee are anxious to know what conclusion you may come to. I have the honor to remain, Sir, Your most obedient servant, William E. Vincent. Secretary. C Clifford, Esq., J.P., M.L.C.

Wellington, Feb. 13, 1845. Sir, — 'In reply to the application made through you to the Local Magistrates on behalf of a Committee named at a public meeting, to authorize the organization of a Volunteer Corps in this town, I have the honour to transmit to you their unanimous decision. The Magistrates, fully impressed with the unsettled state of the native population throughout the colony, arising out of causes into which it is unnecessary now to enter, and desirous at all times to meet the wishes of their fellow settlers, feel every inclinasion to sanction effective measures to ensure protection to life and property in the settlement. At the same time they are happy to be able to state, from the best information obtainable, that no pressing emergency exists at this moment for calling upon the whole male population to enrol themselves as an armed force. But mindful of the expediency of possessing

the means to resist aggression by strange natives, in order to obviate the necessity of using them, and to preserve the same happy relations which have been uniformly maintained between the settlers and the natives of this district, the Magistrates will cordially lend their countenance a"nd assistance to any well regulated and practical measures to accomplish those objects. I am requested, therefore, to suggest to the Committee the propriety of their ascertaining with precision the individuals who may be relied on to muster and practise the use of arms, in particular places, under competent instructors and the written authority of the Magistrates, with the view to form the framework of an effective force. It is believed that by this mode of proceedI ing, the disappointment and want of reliance upon immediate capability of action, which a call upon persons unable or unwilling from their avocations to attend might produce, and which was much felt in the preparations for defence last year, would be avoided. I am desired to add, that the Magistrates are informed that, in reference to the questions in dispute between the Government and the Natives respecting land in this neighbourhood, the Governor has taken steps to ensure their prompt settlement by means of the presence of a sufficient military force from New South Wales, and they are unwillfhg, by their present interference, to create a belief that the proposed measures will be otherwise than completely carried into effect. The sole object of the sanction they are willing to afford, is the protection of the community in case of active aggressions by the natives. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, Charles Clifford. To Mr. W. E. Vincent, Secretary to the Committee for forming a Volunteer Force.