OUR FRONTIER DEFENCE.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 772, 29 May 1877, Page 3

OUR FRONTIER DEFENCE.

Sib, — It seems of no use demanding of the Honourable Defence that we cannot induce him to do, that is, to leave a garrison of the A.C. force at Kihikihi, one of the most exposed frontier townships. I^shall endeavour] to state as clearly 88 possible tbe position m which we Btand. The distance from Alexandra to Cambridge, along th# confiscated line, is about 26 miles ; tihikiki stands about 12 miles from the^former. On this route I there are .five block-hoaxes and four ire* doubts j three of these yer* built after Bullivan?s murder. Xihikihi and Orakau were always considered stations of vital importance to the safety of the frontier, and garrisoned by the regular troops m their time, after by the militia, and siuoe by the members of ,the A.O. force, varying at times' from six to fiity men, up to a for greeks ago, yben the Defence Minister, through some whim or blunder, ordered those station? to be abandoned, leaving these 26 miles of frontier without any protection whatever, although the Waikato Times has called the attention of' the Government to. the fact that these redoubts- should be garrisoned by at least Jfiffcy men. The present con■dition of native affairs gives no promise for the future other than anarchy. And they have trodden the dowanward path with suoh rapid strides, as to render a stoppage almost impossible so long as scoundrels such as Te Kooti, and Lyon's, Tddd'a, SuilivaTn's and Packer's murderers are allowed to visit our townships and go at large. The Government have shown itself oold and deaf {to the defence of this district. But it is for the settler's to say what they: want, and it is for the country to be aroused to the necessity of taking the first aotion m suoh an impor- 1 tant matter. Dr Pollen may consider his Defence mixture good. But we consider it poisonous, and whether it will stand to be analysed by .Sir George Grey and his chemists m the coming session time, will tell.. It has been the ardent desire of the country to cut down unnecessary €xpences, but salaries" of subordinate officials were only remorselessly cat down; sinecures have been perpetrated, and no effect to remove abuse m high places was made. Old officers who have fought the battles of *he country for the laat fourteen years were rudely dismissed. Such a policy as this will meet its reward. We are anxious that this defence question should be solved quickly, and to know what' means of defence Major Atkinson's Government is going to give this district. These are questions which should be prudentially answered. Mr Stafford's Government drifted us into a war for want of s ordinary foresight and precaution. We have now to take care that we see clearly what we are about, and that we do not allow ourselves to drift, into another. At present it is aot quite obvious what is to be set' againsb the vast expenditure we are likely to incur, and the lives of our settlers are too valuable to be wasted. Therefore, we must stop short. of suoh an understanding as would make us fairly liable te the old proverb, that we have_ burnt down a house to cook an egg»J — I am, &c, Watchman. Kihikihi.