LOCAL DEFENCE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume II, Issue 165, 28 October 1881, Page 2

LOCAL DEFENCE.

Following up the remarks we made the other day on this subject, we would urge that it is desirable that something should at once be done in the way of organising a defence for Hawera. We have no desire to act as alarmists, bufc the fact remains tbat no man in the colony has the hardihood to express a decided opinion as to what will occur on the coast within the next ten days. Arrangements are being made to defend every settlement immediately northward of Hawera. The proceedings at Otakeho and. Okaiawa are reported in another column, at Mannia the Alexandra Cavalry are to be stationed, and the very circumstance that these places are to be defended, obviously makes it more desirable, even necessary, that a similar move should be made at Hawera ; but in addition -to tbat, it should be known that the authorities expect the Hawera people to defend themselves, if anything should happen. There are. 300 or 4uO men in the township or close handy. That number properly organised is quite sufficient to repel any sudden attack, ov to \>o)& t>l£ an enemy xmbi\ 2-ein-foreeinents could arrive; and to that end it is only right that all should come forward at once, and say what they are ready to do. Every person you meet is quite " willing to do what he can if there is any row." But if there is to be any *' row," we should be prepared' for it,

and m.t If-ave the making ol arrangements until after trouble lias coin nil-need. Again we say there is little or no need for alarm ; but to give confidence to all, and to lessen the danger of attack, let every man come forward, take a rifle, and assist those who may be willing to organise a system of defence.