Auckland May 19 1864 In reference to a conversation with Your Excellency this morning I have to submit the following observations respecting the Province of Hawkes Bay. To defend the Province of Hawkes Bay from the incursions of hostile tribes on itsnorth and eastern frontier would in the event of disturbances arising require a force of not less than 1500 troope for purposes of defence alone. The positions which I conceive it would be found most necessary to accupy are the aupo road, Petane, waipaoa and Napier in sufficient force to command the intervening country. With the exception of Waipaoa which is in the central plains, the remaining positions are all to the north-east end or the Province which is the part most exposed to danger. The presence of such a force might be the means of preventing hostilities on any extended scale but there is little doubt if precautionary measures are not adopted for the safety of the Province before hostilities arise that a very considerably increased military force will become absolutely necessary. A reference to the general map of the Island will show that should the hostile natives take up a central position at aupo they would be able with equal facility to make incursions either into the upper waikato plains which are already sufficiently defended for the present or to the settled districts of nawkes Bay. But the temptations to invade the latter are infinitely greater because in the former case they could obtain no supplies, all their connections having been destroyed while large supplies or sheep and cattle could be easily obtained at awkes Bay. In fact it must be apparent that unless precautionary measures are taken nothing would be easier than for the natives by driving up into the interior some of the large flocks and herds of the Hawkes Bay settlers to secure such a supply or provisions as would enable them to carry on the war for an undefinite number of years. Besides the hostile waikatos the Province of Hawkes Bay is still more exposed to the possible incursions of the East Cape tribes including the Uriwera of the wairoa whose hostility to the Govt. is well known. The stations I have mentioned above have been proposed with reference to the derence of the Province from these last mentioned tribes as well as the waikatos. Donald McLean, Supt. Hawkes Bay.