DEPUTATION TO MINISTERS.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1202, 11 March 1880, Page 2

DEPUTATION TO MINISTERS.

Captain Runciman and Lieutenant F. A. Whitaker, of the Waikato Cavalry Volunteers, waited on the Hon. the Premier and the Attorney-General yesterday shortly after their arrival, at Pearce's hotel, j Hamilton, and presented the following 1 memorial on behalf of the Volunteers :— Hamilton, March 10, 1880. To the Hon. John Hall. Sir, — I he 1 hames Volunteers are particularly desirous that the Waikato Cavalry should meet them on re\ iew at the Thames at Easter. The Waikato Cavalry arc willing to comply with the request provided the Government will allow tho time occupied, which will be seven days to count, as the usual six days ILiy drill. As the Government will be put to no extra expense they believe a little friendly rivalry will encourage the Volunteer movement. As doubtless you are aware the members comprising the Cavalry are in a {large majority farmers, and cannot spare .sis days at Easter and si\ days in May also from the routine ot business of their farms. In answer to tho Premier, Colonel Lyon, who waa present, said that Major Jackson, the officer commanding the Cavalry, had been communicated within the usual way, and was perfectly willing that the Cavalry should go to the Thames. The Attorney General said that last year the visit of the Waikato Cavalry to the Thames was objected to by the Government for reasons connected with the native question. There was no difficulty now, and he thought that as a matter of drill, attending the review would be attended with most beneficial effects to the efficiency of the Cavalry. Lieutenant Whitaker explained that there would be no difficulty as to traversiug the road. The Waihou river could be easily crossed, in fact, a little difficulty in these matters was desirable as conducing to the efficiency of the Volunteers. On the question of whether the natives were likely to offer any opposition to the passage of the troops across their laud, it was proposed to send for Mr Brodie, the chairman of the Thames County Council, who was in Hamilton, and ask his opinion as an authority on the subject. Mr Brodie was then introduced, and said that he believed no opposition whatever would be offered by the natives to the passing of the Cavalry across their lands. He said at that portion of the route there was no road other than a mere Maori track. The Cavalry could however get along it very well. He did not think the presence of the Cavalry would be misconstrued by the natives, or that they would raise any objection. The Attorney General thought the request contained in the memorial read, a reasonable one, and The Hon. Mr Hall gave instructions to telegraph to Mr Puckey, in order to ascertain if any difficulty was likely to arise with the natives. It was understood that leave would be granted conditionally, on the nature of the reply received from Mr Puckey.