THE ARMED CONSTABULARY IN WAIKATO.

Waikato Times, Volume XXI, Issue 1734, 16 August 1883, Page 2

THE ARMED CONSTABULARY IN WAIKATO.

Now that the summer weather is again coming round, the frost .and heavy rains disappearing and the clays getting longer, it is not out of place to speculate upon the intentions of the Defence Minister regarding the occupation ond situation of the 130 Armed Constabulary now stationed in the various border townships of Waikato. A threat reduction has taken place in the force within the twelve months — we might say since the arrival of the men in Waikato from the Taranaki " War." At that time there were no fewer than 230 men stationed in this district, and these with the exception of a few were put to work at road formation on the new Cambridge-Rotoroa road. Gradually the men have thinned away ; some left the force encouraged by better prospects, and tempted by better offers, whereas not a few wero presented with that symbol of satisfaction on the part of the employer familiarly known as the "walking ticket." The force is now reducod to 130 all told, this number including a goodly sprinkling of officers, commissioned and non-commissioned, and it is satisfactory to know that those who have either left or been discharged from the ranks ha\e found employment in the district. Those remaining m the force has c bacn pretty well distributed throughout the various stations : 55 are at Alexandra, 44 at Cambridge, 24 at Kihikihi, and nine are engaged load repairing between Cambridge and Oxford. The men are now naturally anxious regarding their destination for the coming summer, but it would be hard to surmise correctly w here this will be. The new Rotorita road is to be completed by contract, and we believe the last contract has already been let for the work. During the present session £1000 has been placed on the estimates for the Cam-bridge-Taupo road, so considering the nmalluess of the grant, and the extent of road over which it will have to be distributed, it is but reasonable to suppose that it ii intended that the money shall only be spent on material for bridges, fee, and that the labour will be supplied by the constabulaiy. If this road, therefoie, is to be done in this way the sooner work is commenced the better, as the road and several of the bridges on it are at present in a highly dangerous condition for ti attic. The bridges over the Pioiri near Paeroa have been condemned for some time past. Some are under the impression that the men. w ill be put to form a road through the King country, between Alexandra and Kawhi.i, but such aw idea is not to be entertuned at present. In the first place the present native situation would not permit of such a work being undertaken ; and in the next place, when such a road is mutually agreed upon the natives themselves will claim a monopoly of the labour. No doubt after the Mahuki escapade the Government will deem it advisable to keep a reasonable force of constabulary stationed at Alexandra for some time to come.