A.—No. 2 A.

form an opinion as to the course which should be adopted, I have come to the conclusion that, before any settlers (whether called Military or Agricultural) are located on lands at points intermediate between Patea and Stony River, it wili' be necessary either to reduce the Natives of that District to submission and to acquiescence in the confiscation of the land, or to inflict so severe a chastisement on them that they practically abandon the contest. I feel confident that one or other of these results would be effected by a very short series of operations if conducted by Colonial Forces, aided by Friendly Natives, and carried on with the promptitude and vigor which has been displayed on the East Coast, and I believe that a small force only is requisite for the purpose ; but as none of the Natives of the District who> have latterly been in arms against us have actually submitted (however tired they may be of the conflict), and it is not even safe to travel in the open country without a large armed escort, I do not think that the time has yet arrived when the Provincial Government can properly take upon itself the management of the district. Whilst stating this, I wish it to be understood that I fully recognise it as a duty of the Provincial Government both to give at the present time every assistance in its power, in the management of these parts of the Confiscated Lands which are actually occupied by Military Settlers, and to take over, upon foir terms, the management of the whole of the Confiscated territory, when the rebellion shall have been extinguished, and the peaceable occupation of the country can be proceeded with, under the protection of a small local force. I take the liberty of enclosing a short Memorandum as to some of the various courses which might be adopted in dealing with the districts between Patea and Stony River, and the natives who are still in rebellion there, which may possibly be of some assistance in bringing tfhe questions involved into a definite shape. I have, <fee, H. R. Richmond, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Superintendent. Enclosure in No. 15. Memorandum as to Various Courses which may be adopted in reference to the Occupation of tlie Country and the Suppression of the Rebellion in the District lying between the Hungatahua and Patea Rivers:— I.—The whole of the Military Settlers to be located in the Province may be concentrated at Patea (or at Patea and the land immediately South of Stony River) and all the intermediate posts abandoned, no further movement against the Natives being undertaken at present. If this plan be followed the intermediate land will, according to the ideas of the Maories, be abandoned, we shall have acknowledged ourselves unable to hold it, and shall have to re-conquer or purchase it hereafter. 2.—A course similar to the above may be followed, with this difference, that, instead of abandoning all the intermediate stations, two or more be kept up, to be supplied from the Coast ; these posts being held as a sign that we have not abandoned the country, and as points of support for any future active operations. These positions I suppose to be held merely for Military purposes, as I believe it to -be out of the question to attempt to form settlements for agriculture, intermediate between Stony River and Patea until the Natives shall have so far submitted that the Coast may be safely travelled without armed escorts. This course, although preferable to the former, inasmuch as nominal possession of the country is retained, will (if not accompanied by active -operations) give the Natives time to recruit their strength for a forther struggle, whereas, if now closely followed up, there is good reason to think that they would •soon submit. 3.—The third course, and that which I would earnestly recommend, is to send a small force of Co*k>niajl Troops and Friendly Natives into the District, and follow*up the rebels, as has been done on the East Coast, until they give in or quit the neighborhood. At the present time, whilst a large number of Military Settlers are still on pay, this could be done at a much less extra expense than if deferred until their time has expired. I am aware that some, if not all, of the Officers commanding posts along the Coast have orders to continue harassing the Natives, but, except in the case of the Offiaers stationed at Waingongoro, I am given to understand that these orders are practically inoperative. It is unnecessary to observe that such operations cannot compare In effect with those of a moveable column having no fixed point to hold, but having all the stations to fall back upon fqr support. The Natives, having been brought to submission, the settlement of the oounjtiy might be proceeded with as most convenient ; probably it would then be found most desirable to form twA intermediate settlements between Stony River and Patea, near to the best landing places on the Co,ast. This would divide the distance of sixty miles into three intervals of twenty niUes each, and would form centres of population which might be expected to spread pretty rapidly, owing to the attractive character of Ac country. Any land which might be available for sale would probably thus fetch better prices than it otherwise would do, ai^l the proceeds could be applied to the construction of a road, the introduction of more immigrants, or otherwise promoting the permanent occupation of the country. I have, &c. H. R. Richmond, Superintendent's Office, New Plymouth, 29th March, 1866. Superintendent

11

OF THE CONFISCATED LANDS: