35

ably with the natives there, and further to indispose them to part with their land. The least objectionable mode of providing for the safety of the settlement appears to be, the establishment of a strong and efficient body of armed police, to consist, say for the present, of from 30 to 40 picked men, active, resolute, and trustworthy, to be armed in the most efficient manner, with a double barrelled carbine, bayonet, and revolver, and already, if possible, famiiiar with the use of arms, so as to render unnecessary the parade of training; the arms not to be constantly worn, the men to be selected and the force to be raised by the Provincial authorities, and to act as a body of constabulary under their directions, in aid of the civil power. As the resources of the Province are insufficient to meet the expense of maintaining so large a constabulary force, the Government will, if the Provincial authorities des re that the force be organised, undertake to share the expense with the Provincial Government. Such a body would not only be very efficient in themselves, but thev would form a valuable nucleus, arourd which the the armed settlers might rally in case of need. It would be desirable that some of the men should understand the management of a field piece, they would be the proper party to entrust with the custody and preservation of the arms and amunition belonging to the Government, and as the official duties of su; h a body would ordinarily be little more than nominal, they might be employed to a certain extent in useful public worlcs, and assuming such a force to comprise a sufficient number of seamen and marines, they might form the Harbour boat's crew, In the absence of any organised body to defend it, a blockhouse or stockade would be of little real utility, but if such an armed force were organised, it would be of importance that they should have some building, however small', on which they could fall back and defend themselves. Such a building might for the most part be erected by themselves. It. would be essential that the command of such a force should be entrusted to a person in whose prudence and determination the settlers would have confidence In conclusion I am directed to inform your Honor , that Mr. J. J. Symonds formerly Native Secretary, has been requested to proceed as soon as possible to New Plymouth, and to plac3 himself in communication with yourself and the Resident Magistrate, in order to preserve peace and tranquility amongst the natives in New Plymouth, I have, &c., (Signed): Andrew Sinclair. Colonial Secretary. His Honor, The Superintendent, New Plymouth,

Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, 30th July, 1855. Sib, —I am directed by his Excellency the Officer administering'the Government, to inform your Honor that the General Government have decided to send to New Plymouth, for the protection of its inhabitants, a military force of about three hundred men, of all ranks, to be detached from Auckland and Wellington. I am further directed to request your Honor to use your utmost efforts for the preservation of the general security of the settlement, until the whole detachment anive, when it is hoped some arrangements may be made to conclude the Native Listurbances, and restore the tranquility of the Province. I have &c., (Signed) Andrew Sinclair. Colonial Secretary. His Honor the Superintendent of New Plymouth}