A.—No. 4

Enclosure 2 to No. 136. The Hon. the Ministee foe Colonial Defence to Colonel Waebe. Sic,— Colonial Defence Office, Taranaki, 30th May, 1865. It having been determined by the Government to form a Military Settlement near Tekorangi on the north of the Waitara river, consisting of one hundred and twenty men, and also two settlements of loyal Natives at Urenui and Mimi, I have the honor to request that you will be good enough to inform me whether you see any military objection to the plan being carried out immediately. The Governor has arranged with the Lieut.-General that the men enrolled for this service are for the present to receive their pay from advances made by the Commissariat Department. I have, &c, Colonel Warre, C.8., commanding the Forces, Taranaki. H. A. Atkinson. Enclosure 3 to No. 136. Colonel Waebe to the Hon. the Ministee foe Colonial Defence. Sic,— Garrison Office, May 30th, 1865. In reply to your letter of this day's date, I have the honor to inform you that I know of no reason why Military Settlers should not, in conjunction with friendly Natives, be placed at once on land north of the Waitara river ; on the contrary, I believe that settlements so formed will secure communication with Pukearuhi,near the White Cliffs; will give support to the friendly Natives who have afforded us on many occasions very valuable assistance, and who have at all times been anxious that such settlements should be formed ; and will keep in subjection the few rebel Natives now supposed to be with Wm. King, at Kaipikari, or at some part of the bush near that place. I would suggest, however, that arrangements be made before the men are placed upon their land, to secure quick and easy transport across the Waitara river, by placing a flat-bottomed boat or scow at the ford near the Matarihoriki, so that, in case of necessity, troops or reinforcements may be sent without delay to the assistance of the settlers, the river being at this season unfordable. I would also suggest that a Medical Officer be attached specially to this settlement. I have, &c, H. A. Waebe, The Hon. H. A. Atkinson, Colonel commanding Troops at Taranaki. Defence Minister, New Plymouth. No. 137. His Excellency the Govebnob to Lieut.-General Sir D. A. Cameeon. Sic, — Government House, Auckland, 6th June, 1865. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of yesterday's date, enclosing copies of a correspondence between Colonel Warre, C.8., and the Minister for Colonial Defence, and requesting me to take some steps to prevent the irregularity of the Colonial Minister commencing with Colonel Warre, a correspondence of the description of that forwarded to me. Colonel Warre was at the time of this correspondence, the Officer in command of Her Majesty's forces in the Province of Taranaki, and was responsible for the safety of the district. The Government had determined to form a Military Settlement of 120 men, near Tikorangi, on the north of the Waitara river, and also two settlements of loyal Natives to the north of the Waitara, at Urenui and Mimi. The Government saw no difficulty in a political point of view in the immediate formation of those settlements, but on the contrary, great advantages. Under these circumstances, the Minister for Colonial Defence, who was at Taranaki, and had to act immediately, as I think with due caution and very properly applied to Colonel Warre, the senior military officer, and requested him to state whether he saw any military objection to the plan of the establishment of those settlements being immediately carried out. I cannot but approve of the caution and courtesy shewn by the Minister for Colonial Defence in this instance, and holding this opinion I cannot, much as I regret to differ in opinion with you, take any steps which might lead the Minister for Colonial Defence to think that I regard his proceedings in this instance as being either irregular or wrong, and I think it probable that you will yourself upon a careful consideration of all the circumstances of the case concur with me. I have, &c., Lieut.-General Sir D. A. Cameron, K.C.B. G. Geey. No. 138. Lieut.-General Sir D. A Camebon to His Excellency the Goveenoe. Sic, — Head Quarters, Auckland, 7th June, 1865. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's letter of yesterday's date, relative to a correspondence between Colonel Warre, Commanding at Taranaki, and Major Atkinson, Minister of Colonial Defence, and I have to inform your Excellency that I have ordered Colonel Warre not to correspond in future with Major Atkinson, nor to give his opinion on military subjects to the Colonial Government, except through me, or with my sanction. I have also to inform your Excellency that Mr. Weld having written to Lieut.-Colonel Logan, commanding 57th Eegiment at Wanganui, offering him an appointment under the Colonial Government, I have desired that officer to inform Mr. Weld that your Excellency is the proper channel of communication on such a subject. I have, &c, D. A. Cameeon, His Excellency Sir George Grey, K.C.B. Lieut.-General.

55

GOVERNOR AND LIEUT.-GENERAL CAMERON.