OUR MILITARY SETTLEMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume IV, Issue 332, 5 December 1864, Page 6

OUR MILITARY SETTLEMENTS.

To the Editor of the Sew Zealand Herald.

Sin, —I am one of the military setters enrolled for military settlement, and with most respectfully to st.,to the feelings and intentions ol" self and better class ot comrades. The disparaging discussions in 0110 of your contemporaries who seeks to thrown cold water on the plan—the success of which we are most deeply interested in—is to us a matter of pain, more cspuuiiilly when we see the wish lor fallacies which by some parties is obtruded before our notice. Now, sir, we do most certaiidy think that we deserve better treatment for our volunteered services. We left our gold digging and other honest callings for the defence of our race and kindred in the first instance, fully expecting that tho conditions of settlement on the promised land would be carried out at the earliest time possible, both in spirit and letter. X he- uncertainty and long deferred hope has made our hearts sick. Xf this uncertainty continues, uianv wiit provide substitutes, and eveusouio dispense with this formality, because the men are becoming exceedingly impatient of starch and pipe clay. We enrolled as military settlers, for military settlers' privileges, and not for uncertain regular service. To be utade 1 cgular soldiers of, was never our wish nor intention at tho time of enrolment. Xs a regular ci'l_.uial army wanted.' Uien re-enlist all who will join it, a.nd let it be raised on the highest uioditied principle of privilege constant with discipline (with less possibility of unrcdressaole abuse of power). \V hilst so much uncertainty prevails respecting us military settlers, we cannot leel satisfied. Who will mako improvements without a certainty of possession ? It our title to land depends merely on vacilating promises we may be but planting for others to reap the fruit thereof.

Xbere uie those who never settle on their laud, but that id no reason why those who tire likely to do bo should be kept in continuous suspense. Let the JSclson Colonist and -Xiw Zealandcr disparage the matter by what assertions thev please. ~ Xhe New Zealamkr fathered the thought by the wishes of failure in its advocacy of settlement on verv unsuitable land (north bank of Lower Waikafco, from Alitungatiiwhiri ereek. This latter proposal we shall never forget.) Xhe fact remains, no matter by whom, whether by-military pensioners or others, certain townships, &C., iiave been kittled and do -now flourish and progress. It the Cafire-land frontier military settlements, of which this is an improved copy, be a tiuccoiiS, why may not ©ui military Mttiomvat plan

sfleo prove successful? ' Those "who •will never ;«etG« - may be most generally incwn by the officers themselves, and the eoonerthey go the better, only' give thorn every facility and inducement for the procuring of suitable substitutes. ,If the place is really not worth having, tliero will be less difficulty on that head; on the other hand if we aie to be for everlastingly playing at soldiers,.it will -weary out the patience of the best part of the men, -who honestly intend to settle. The fact of our intentions io settle ought to gratify our croaking disparagers. I know my own intentions, and the intentions of many others, is to do so, if we be not fruslrated by uncertain regular service, or by the allotment of bad land to us. If the officers aro allowed to pick the eyes out of the military settlements, and the men get inferior land allotted tothexji,it will most assureoly drive them away. I have saved and waited to see the end. Others I kno-tf, like myself, have done so, and have in different banks accounts, £20, £30, £40, £50, £60, &c., of pounds sterling, besides other monies on them in readiness either to settle and marry, or clear out, just the fate of those mentioned circumstances shall lead theiri. If we are to retain the use of our arms and accoutrements, and to be called out for an occasional day's drill after being settle on our land, give us then the breach-loading carbine and revolver, &c.; drill us in their uses, less of pipeclay and buckram, a better harness thou those heavy tight straps over our chests, less of the collar-punishment in the shape of blanket gear, &c , on the march. Do this—give us really good land, the best of arms, and treat us as men, not a< regular soldiers, and we will then be grateful, contented, and progressive ; we wdl hold our own, and be a wall of defence to Auckland and its inhabitants. I remain, Tour humble servant, One op No. 2 Comi>ant 3kd Waikato Regt. | N Gr ABU AW AIIIA. To the Editor of the New Zkaland Hebajld. Sib, —I was one of those who purchased allotments at the sale of Queenstown. In the uncertainty that ilr. John "Williamson, both in hie payer and as a representative in the Assembly, lias thrown übout the legaltv of this sale it would, 1 think, be extremely desirable if some member of the Assembly should ask the Government whether the sale of Ngaruawahia has been legally made. I am myself but waiting until this point is finally settle dto erect buildings thereon, and there are many, I believe, who like myself, hesitate for the same reason. J. A. Auckland, Dec. 3rd.