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New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume I, Issue 33, 24 May 1845, Page 3

In the following letter we have omitted a few remai'ks, which we are sure our correspondent, on reconsideration, would have deemed of too personal a nature. — Ed. N. Z. S. To the Editor of the New Zealand Spectator. Thursday, May 23, 1845.

Sib,—ls it true that, exclusive of his Honor Major Richmond, Adjutant Macdonogh, and Quarter-master Hornbrook, we are to have only twelve officers appointed to the command of our Militia, numbering, I am told, 1,200 men ? True, no more than 200 men are to be out at one time, save in emergency ; but I imagine such emergency is no chimera, but an hourly expectation of coming to pass, else the Militia Bill would still be to be :—let the emergency arise, additional officers would, I suppose, be appointed: but appointed on the spur of the moment, with what confidence can the community entrust themselves to their guidance ? reliance on the steady, cool skill of his officer, increases the effectiveness of the well-disciplined soldier—how much more necessary to the new Militiaman. I remember hearing Lord Hardwicke, in debate, deprecating the lessened number of officers employed, thus speak—" The result will be, that our officers, not possessing the requisite skill, nor the requisite confidence in themselves, will not sustain that character for courage and conduct, which formerly belonged to British officers." How will our officers behave, who perhaps will be nominated at the hour of contest ? Economy cannot be pleaded as the reason for the paucity of number, as each officer accoutres himself at his own expense; and until emergency, twelve can rotate with twelve or twenty-four on duty, till practice begets familiarity and ease of Office: also increasing the number of officers, conferring honor and handles to one's name, will render the Militia more attractive to those who are actuated by the " dash of a thing," the glitter of a name, or the additional charm of the augmented shillings jjer diem. As it is, most of our military colonists who have served, are omitted in the list of twelve: and no doubt, in many cases, such omission has wounded their feelings. Ought it so to be ? Increase the numbers; you will satisfy the few, and benefit the public. * * * * * I have no wish to disparage the present appointments, save that I think safety might be found by increasing the number of our councillors. Double the number has been appointed at Auckland, and their Militia muster is considerably less, and their " regulars" more : Is it true, therefore, I ask again, that we are only to have twelve officers ? and if so, why ? X.