A—No. 6e

Superintendent's Office, New Plymouth, 25th November, 1861. Sin,— After a careful consideration of your letter of the 12th instant, I find it difficult to point out other evils than those which must result to a civil population brought under a Military discipline, in which their previous habits, fitting them for irregular light troops, are eradicated by a mouotonous Battalion drill, which destroys that feeling of individuality so valuable to irregular troops in the field. The absence of any great extent of industrial and productive employment in or out of the Militia until a state of reliable peace is established, also destroys much of the valuable social condition of the settlers. At present, the Province is receding rather than progressing, and under any circumstances iis progress will be materially retarded by the severance of family ties that has ensued, from the independence of parental control necessarily afforded to every one over sixteen in the Militia and Volunteers. With reference to your verbal inquiry in what direction a reduction of the force should take place, when it is required, I have the honor to state that I highly deprecate any reduction taking place until after the settlers, in assured security, resume the occupation of their farms. Assuming that this will be the course adopted, I recommend that the force should be gradually reduced in the following order— applicable equally to Officers and Privates. 1. All persons who have asked for and obtained prolonged leave of absence, 2. All strangers who have come into the Province since the commencement of the war. 3. All persons holding General or Provincial Government appointments. 4. All persons whose means of subsistence before the war, were earned in the Town. 5. All single men. 6. All persons whose families are supported by the Government at Nelson. 7. The remainder. I have &-c, Charles Brown, Superintendent. Capt. Rookes, Commissioner, &c, &c, &c.

Enclosure 2 in No. 1. Council Chamber, New Plymouth, 20th May, 1862. On the Motion of the Provincial Secretary, Resolved, —That in reference to Message No. 96 of His Honor the Superintendent, this Council is prepared to sanction tie expenditure necessary to provide employmentforthosemen who are discharged from Public Works, until this Council shall have fully considered His Honor's Message. A True Extract. F. Ronalds, Clerk.

Enclosure 3 in No. 1. Council Chamber, New Plymouth, 23rd May, 1862. On the motion of the Provincial Secretary. Resolved, — That this Council fully recognizes the advantages of having Provincial Works in progress which may afford employment to any surplus labour, now, or which may be hereafter in the market, so far as this can be done beneficially, and will concur with His Honor the Superintendent in the necessary measures for this purpose as soon as plans and details are before it. A True Extract. F. Ronalds, Clerk.

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FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO Sub-Enclosure 6 in Enclosure 1 in No. 1. THE SUPERINTENDENT, TARANAKI, TO CAPTAIN KOOKES.