LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 13, Issue 1047, 11 May 1869, Page 2

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Ihe Editor does not hold himself responsible for opinions expressed by correspondents. Sib,— -Although many of your correspondents have through your open columns put before your readers their views of both tbe Stafford Ministry and military operations carried on in this province, up to this time I have been silent ; but, after the attempt tbat was made on Saturday last, by the recommendation of the commanding officerof the Hawke's Bay Militia, to try to carry on his military authority at Puketapu, I cannot refrain from taking my pen in hand to expose what, in my opinion, seems to be the most unjust and injudicious step that can be taken by him. The Puketapu company was called on to parade on Saturday last, for the purpose of selecting twenty-one men of that company to do out-duty at Petane. Sir, would any sane men take such a step as this ? to try to bave the settlers from a scattered district — to leave their homes and families unprotected to go on guard twelve miles away from their own district. It is a duty that no Militiamen nor Volunteers ought | to be called upon to perform ; there are plenty of men in this province who would i be glad to do duty ot tbat sort on pay. It is evident that if settlers have to leave their homes and occupation to become soldiers, the depopulation of the province will be the result, which means ruination. The commanding officer must have but little consideration for either the settlers or tho welfare of the province. Of course the Lieut.-Colonel does not feel the bard times while he receives the nominal sum of £800 a year as salary to be in this province the satellite of the Stafford Ministry ; he can well afford to leave his few sheep under the care of a shepherd and carry on his military occupation. It appears by your paper of the 27th ult., that the Lieut.-Colonel received thanks from the Defence office for the zeal and promptitude display od in the matter of the Mohaka expedition. No ono can deny that great promptitude was shown in calling out the Militia and Volunteers ; but let us look at the result. What good bave they doneP They marched to Petane, six miles from Napier, over a heavy sandy beach, and, when they reached thafc place, a great many were sore-footed, and, I may say, unable to go further. Moro than half of the Militia and Volunteers could not have reached the front, and the others could not have been of any use after such. a journey. The Lieut.-Colonel must have

_ _, — . . p_ . . . been ignorant of the country, or he would not have taken such a step ; but, ho doubt, he thinks it would be lowering his dignity to ask information from those who have a perfect knowledge of the country. Had the, commanding officer had J the town Militia and "Volunteers conveyed by water to Waikare, and sent Capt. Tanner's troop, with all the country Militia who had horses, overland to the front, the rebels could have been completely surrounded and an end put to their sanguinary career. It is evident to anyone acquainted with the country, that our commanding officer did not want to fight, but rather to drive the enemy before him. Sir, I shall dwell no longer on military matters in reference to the Mohaka expedition, for I would trespass too much on your journal, but shall take another opportunity to do so. I have heard to-day that notice has been given to the Puketapu company to parade to-morrow at 10 o'clock, and to be in readiness to march to Petane to do guard duty. Our commanding officer imitates very much an ignorant employer, who has no knowledge of the work he has to. superintend. He does nofc know the value of good servants, and when he gets those that will do him justice, he is not satisfied, but wants more. It is so with our commanding officer. He has under his command volunteers and militia as brave as any that can be got in New Zealand, who are ready at any time, in case Df emergency, to meet the enemy, to fight for their adopted country, and to revenge the blood of their fellow-settlers, shed by. those bloodthirsty rebels. Yet this is not ., enough; they must be humbugged, and havo to leave their homes ancl pecupa-. tions ; their farms must go to ruin, and their families remain unprotected, while they have to march miles out of their own districts, to do out-duty to please the authorities. It is lamentable to have in a promising province like Hawke's Bay, a man at the head of military affairs, so obstinate that, in the opinion of every rightthinking man, he is taking the exact course to make the whole of the province mutiny. Ifc is commonly reported that l Captain Wallace intends to resign. No doubt that gentleman can see the stupidity of his superiors ; but it is to be hoped he will alter his mind, as it would be a great blow to the Puketapu company. Capt. Wallace is a man that, by his gentlemanly oonduct and military capacities, has won the confidence of his company. — I am, &c, Sotjvenib. Puketapu, May 4, 1869.