THE HON. DEFENCE MINISTER IN THE WAIKATO.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 214, 15 June 1872, Page 3

THE HON. DEFENCE MINISTER IN THE WAIKATO.

The Alexandra correspondent of the D. S. Cross writes“ I have no particular news since my last. The Hon. the Defence Minister is still at the Alexandra Hotel, busy negotiating with the natives. Tawhiao and Manuhiri arrived at Orahiri, on their way down yesterday. Whether they will be peisuaded to come or not I cannot say. I believe Mr McLean declines to go to meet them. I heard a decided answer was to be given to-day, but the weather is so violent and wet it is almost impossible to travel. Yesterday the Defence Minister proceeded to Te Awamutu to inspect the Te Awamutu Volunteer cavalry. He was accompanied by Whitiora Takiwaru, Hauauru, and seveial other of the King natives. There was a good muster of the troops present, under command of their officer, Major W. Jackson. After being put through their movements at the walk, trot, and gal'op—all of which were performed with most admirable steadiness under their d ill instH’ctor, Sergeant William Fraser, of the Armed Constabulary the Loop was formed into close column, and addressed by the Hon. the Defence Minister as follows :— ‘ Colonel Lyon, I beg to thank you for the smart and soldierlike manner in which the officers and men of the Awamutu Volunteer Cavalry have turned out for my inspection. They are a great credit to you as officer commanding the district. Major Jackson, I thank you for the manner in which you have placed tb : s troop for inspection. There was some misunderstanding about the pay of the men, but from the state of efficiency which I have this day seen you will get pay for you; late drill, and for this year and next year. I thank you, men, for your clean, smart, and soldieilike appearance. Colonel Lyon, I have great pieasme in congratulating you on having a thoroughly efficient and smart cavalry inst’uctor, and. I thank Sergeant Fiazer for the manner he has brought this t”oop to its present efficient state. I shall further award you a bonus of £25 for your zeal and attention to your duties.’ At the conclusion of Mr McLean’s address, the troop gave him tln-ee hearty chee'-s. The officers having fallen out, the troop were marched off to the private parade ny their drill instructor and dismissed, the troop, before dispel sing, giving th.ee cheeis for Seigennt Fiase”. The natives present seemed not a little surorised at so fine a body of men composed of settlers alone, and at the ease, regularity, and lapidity wiih which they performed their several movements. I have no doubt the sight of them would have a good effect in showing them we have something besides the A. C. Force to lely upon, in case of any disaubatice. I asked old Whitiora what he thought of them, to which he most emphatically replied, 1 Ka pai te hoia.’” ,