PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume II, Issue 339, 13 December 1864, Page 6

PARLIAMENTARY PAPERS.

P&PEES. RELATIVE TO REDUCTION

OF MILITIA. EXPENDITURE

[CoiminrED.] Note.—Previous to the date of the following correspondence several Momoi-.itida passed between hla Exccllcnoy the Govornor and Ministers in con ectlon with this subject which will bo J'ound at pagc9 11 and 12 of E No. 2A.

'Enclosure 4to No. 11. . . New Plymouth, 28nd October, 18G4. Sir, —We have the honor to enclose, for your Honor's information, a copy of a aesolution passed this day at a meeting of the settlers of this Province and in pursuance thereof wo beg to draw- A our atten, tion to some of the main considerations connected •with the sudden order for the discharge of the militia, •which in our opinion should bo urged upon tho attention of the General Government. j

The great ignorance of, or want of consideration for, the position and difficulties of tho Turanaki settlers his Excellency's Government in thus suddenly taking away from so many of them their only certain means of support is moat clearly shown by the fact that the urgent application of the Provincial Government for the removal of martial Isw from the Province was refused only a few weeks sinco—order it may fairly bo presumed not having, in the opinion of his llxcellency and the General commanding, been sufficiently restored in the Province to admit of its affairs being properly administered under the limitation of the (suppression of Rebellion Act.

Again, whilst by discharging tho wholo of the civilian forces no resource is left to tho agricultural population but to seek a living from tho land, the same act, by removing tho civilian garrisons of the block houses, renders the cultivation of tho land even •within their circuit impossible or highly dangerous, as may be clearly apprehended from the fact that even whilst these garrisons are maintained the Officer Commanding has this week thought it~necessary to issue stringent orders for watching the signs of approaching danger from the natives, and forbidding persons from moving singly between tho blockhouses. Under the impression that these garrisons -would be maintained, many have already put in crops, some are lestoring their land to a condition fit for cultivation, whilst others have mtered into contracts, for the supply of fencing, &c. Many have gone to the full e>to it of their present means, and others, beyond it, in cxp.ctation of soon receiving their compensation. Increased, loss and embarrassmi nt will bo entailed U ion those settlers who have embarked in these operations if the blockhouses, which now afford a ceit> in amotnl of protection tc their persons and property, should be abandoned or cear e to he occupied by the militia, to say nothing of the co.tiin destruction of the buildings themselves by the rebel natives.

The exemplary patience and activity with, which tho c.'v lian forces of this province, old and young, have p jrformed the duties required of them undt r most distressing circumstances and during a period of more than four years, may fairly be urged as an additional reason against dismissing them without notice; but such a want of recognition of their services might be passed over in silence if, when thus abiuj t'y turned adrift, they had been placed in a position to maintain themselves. With respect to the impolicy of the proceeding, we cannot of course offer an opinion on tho question as to whether the measures contemplated by His Excellency for the pacification of this province can be as well carricd out without the civilian forces, lei ig in igrorance as to what tho3e measures may be, but referring to the principle unanimously adopted by the General Assembly, that the only sure mtans of preventing the recurrence of struggles between tho races was the introduction of a very large white population, we would point out that whilst at this province, which has been the hotbed of the rebellious spirit, only £00 niilitaiy sett er.i Lavs hitherto been introduced, the present measure, throwing a lnTge xiuml er of persons on their own resources at a time when the farmers are unable to engage in any extensive operations from want of capital owing to the non-payment of the compensation, from the insecurity of the country, and fiom the lateness of the season, must have tho efftct of driving many out of the province.

We trust that, by urging these considerations and others that may suggest themselves to your Honor, on the consideration of the Government, they will be brought either to revoke tlieir order, or at least to make proper provision for enabling all who are now here to support themselves without leaving the piovicce. We have, &c., Wii. M. CitcirpTON, Chairman of Committee. His Honor the Superintendent of Taranaki. No. 12. Cf py of a letter from ( harlea Brown, Esq., to the Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Superintendent's Offii e, New Plymouth, 3rd November, 1864. Sir, — T n reference to your letter of the 27th ultimo, No. 332, I have the honour to transmit a copy of tho message (No. 109) in which I forwarded a copy of your letter 1 o the Provincial *. 'ouncil, and a copv of the resolution passed by the Provincial Council in reply, with a copy of the Keport of the Select Committee adverted to in the- resolution.

ith refeience to that part which recommends that pecuniary assistance should be afforded out of the £5,000 to all settlers who cannot occupy their land by of the Maoris, and who are not able to work, I have the honour to state, that the relief given to indigent persons was, pTC-vious to the Militia and Volunteers beiDg struck of pay and rations, at the rate of £700 per annum. Pro vincial expenditure in the employment of those not in the Militia at the rate of over £7,000 per annum.

As regards (he maintenance recommended of one company of Bushrangers, I liavo the honour to recommend that the two companies be put on duty The feeling of security induced by their existence lias led to many in tlie past six months taking themselves off duty, pay, and rations, to restore and improve their properties ; the hostile natives are, or will shortly bo, aware that the Bushtangers have ceased to do duty ; scattered settlers will therefore be not only in great danger of losing their lives, but smal! parties of bushrangers will bo more likely to meet parties of hostile natives, and suffer loss, th in they were before they were struck off' duty. May I beg the earliest consideration and reply of the General Government to the latter portion of my letter ?

I have, &c., Chas. Brown, Superintendent. Tlie lion. Colonial Secretary.

Enclosure 1 to No. 12. Alessage No. 109. Superintendent's Office, New Plymouth, let November, 1864. The Superintendent has the honour to taansmit a copy of correspondence between himself and the hon. the Colonial Secretary on the subject of the Taranaki Militia and Volunteers being-struck off duty, pay, and rations : and to recommend to the consideration of the Provincial Council in what manner and under what conditions the amount of £5000 shall be expended, which the General Government has guaranteed the advance of. by the Bank of New Zealand to the province, for the employment in public works of the mi itiamen now off pay and rations. The Superintendent is of opinion that the most desirable course to adopt is, after deducting the amount to be exnended in clearing tho bush which is required by the Genei al Go' e nment—

1- To convene meetings of the ratepayers for* the distrcs in whi h public works can be carried on without danger to the men employed. 2. As far as practicable, to carry out such works as may b3 concurred in by the Commissioners of the various distiicts at a pro rata expenditure, according to the rateable value of eiich district.

3. The work to be let off in small lots by peacework, that may give iair wages to the men employed and savi the expense of overlooking small gangs. -~ J " CiIAS. BIIOWJf, ' Superintendent. Speaker of Provincial Count il, New Plymouth.

Enclosure 2 to No. 1 Ii u port of a select ammfee appoii t'd to consider and report up°n his honc.j the Superintendent s AlesagoNf". 10).

In considering the message referred it appears to your con mi.tee that the object tf the Provincial Government should be twofold, — Ist. To fii.d useful employment by which! sett', era win to obtain other work may bo enabled to subsist.

2. To TTwido means "by -which thoy and sutlers-working in the country may bo protected from the hostile natives. • •• , . . • And therefore the question t) which your committee sravo their attention was, 3rd. How best to expond tho £5,C00 so as to combine theso two objocts. _ Ist. Your Committe is of opinion that, as as practicable, the money should bo spent in district" which are least benefitted by tho Groat North and South Fond, and spent principally or wholly on woiks of a permanently useful character. That all works should he recommondid hv tho Superintendent and approved by tho Provincial Council, and bo done by tho piece only. That all settlers who cannot occupy their land by reason of tho Maoris, and who aro not able to work, should receivo a pecuniary allownnco in tho proportion to their need. But your committee think that some useful work should ho laid out near tho town, and offered in tho first instance to the Third-class militiamen. _ .

2nd, As to tho second point, your committee is o opinion that the only way of securing comparative safety to men scattered, as will now bo inevitable, through the bush and about the country, will bo by maintaining at least one company of bushrangeis of GO men, with proportion of officers and non-rommis-sioncd officers, composed of men who aro thoroughly acquainted with the country and tho duties required of them. If this is not done, and the country constantly scoured, your committee is confident from their pnst experience, that the block-houses upon the edge of the forest will bo comparatively useless, and many va 1 liable lives sacrificed ; whereas, if tho hush is constantly patrolled, the whole country will be rendered comparatively safe, and many settlers enable to support themselves as heretofore, —though, of cour?e, other means will be required to make it absolutely safe or fit for permanent occupation. This point, vour committee consider?, should be most strongly urged upon tho General Government, moro especially as no defence force has ever been raised in this province. , . .

3rd, Should the General Government refuse, which your committee hardly think likely, to embody ft bush company upon any other conditions, your commit tee would recommend that £1000 of the £nOOO should be devoted to this purpose. Iliis sum would maintain ono company of tho above-named strength for six weeks, by which time the General Assembly would have met and been enabled to consider the position o r this province. A certain sum, which your committee is unable to estimate at present, must aleo bo set apart for the relief of persons unable to worlc, as already stated : another sum to pay for the felling of the bush at Manutahi, as required by the General Government ; and the remainder devoted to tho road work already spoken of. "William NoitTiicnorr, Chairman. Euelosure 3 to No. 12. Extract from Minutes of Council, New Plymouth, 2nd November, 1864. JResohrd.—lhat a copy of the report of the committee on niessugo 109 bo transmitted to his llonor the Superintendent, with a respectful address requesting liim to carry out, as far as practicable, the suggestions therein contained, and to communicate with the General Government on the urgent necessity of reorganizing tho corps of bushrangers. No. 13. Copy of a lettfr from tho Hon. F. Whitaker, to Charles Brown, Esq., Superintendent of Taranaki. Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, Stli November, 18(14 Sir, —I have to acknowledge ther-ceipt of your Honor's letters. No. TOand 71, dated the 3rd instant, in reference to the militia and volunteers be ng struck off pav and rations at Taranaki. The General Government regret that after a careful reconsideration of this matter, they do not feel themselves justiiiL'd in altering the <k< i>ion io which they have been compelled to come regarding it. and which has already been communicated to your Honor. I have, &c., Fhedk. Wiiitakek, j In tho absence of Mr. I'cx Hi? Honor tho Superintendent cf T.iranaki, New Plymouth. ! No. 14. Copy of a letter from I.ieutenant-Gcneral Sir Duncan Cam™, K.C.8., to His Excellency Sir George Grey, K.C.B. ! Head Quarters, Auckland, 24th October, ISGS. g n!) —J have tho honor to forwnid a letter and its enclosures which I have received frr m Colonel Warre, commandin p the troops at Taninuki, on the subject of the "Militia nrd Volunteers of that Province who have been suddenly taken ofF pay and rations without any "previous notice being given either to Colonel Warre or myself. Colonel SVarro r presents that ns the hushriin gers are employed, with the sanction of tho Colonial Government, in clearing the hush near Mataitawa, it is absolutely necessary that they, as well as a small portion of the militia and mounted men, should he kept on pay and rations for some time longer; and states that "he he had taken upon himself to give an order to that effect. Ishall fie 1 , obliged if your Excelloncy will obtain tho consent of the Government to this arrangement. I have, Scc., D. A. Camkhox, Lieut.-General. -His Excellency Sir G. Grey, K.C.8., &c. Enclosure 1 to No. 14. New Plymouth, Oct. 21, 1804.. Sir, —T have the honor to transmit for the information cf the Lieuterant-General Commanding, the nccomranying copy of a letter received yesterday by the officer commanding the Militia from tho hon. the Colonial Secretary, by which tho Lieutenant-Gencral will observe that tho whole of the Militia and Volunteers, the Bushrangers, and the Mounted Corps, are put off pay and rations from tho date of tho receipt of that letter.

As the state of thin Provirco renders it absolutely necessary that the block-liouscß at Bell Block, On a'a, Ratanui, and Dingle's farm, should be occupied for the protection of thin (own i nd the surrounding district, and as tho entiic reduction of tho civil forces would lender it quit"* impossible to carry out tho Lieutenant-General's fns'.ructinns for the employment of the Bushrangers in clearing the bush between Manutahi and Mataitawa, I trust the Lieutena d 1 General will approve of inv having kept tho llu th rangers and a certain number of tho Mounted Corps on paj r and rations pending further instructions. The Bushrangers ai o actually now on ctivo service, being encamped at Matakara, near Mataitawa, for the abovenamed purpose. I have also been obliged to keep a sufficient number of the Militia on pay and rations in order to occupy the four blockhouses abovenamed, and somo of the mounfod men to keep up the communication between the different outposts.

Ab this Province may at nny moment be overrun by rebel Maoris, und as it certainly would not bo safe to withdraw the gnrrifon from the several Stockades, I trust the Lieutenant-General will approve o my having t iken "p">n myself to meet what I consider the absolute necessities of the ease. I also beg to report that my services as Government agent are discontinued ; and I forward herewith copy of instructions in order to hand over to the Colonial Gorernuient an account of all tho timber, &c., entrusted to my charge. I have, &c., 11. J. AVaiiiik, Color el. Ihe Assistant Military Secretary, Auckland. Extract from Garrison Order. 1. "With the exception of the men employed in completing the Blockhouses atl'outoko and Kaitake, all men employed under the .Royal Hngineers in the construction of public buildings for the Colonial Government will ruturn to their duty with their respective companies 011 rcceipt of this order. 2. Captain < 'orbetfc, as overseer of workmen in the difiirict, will be pleased to collect al] the Government tools, ite., which are to bo delivered to the Koyal Engineers. 3. Lieutenant, Fe-guson, R.E., will, as soon as practicable, be pleased to hand over tho whole of the unfinished buildings, timber, and Government tooh to the Mi!i ! ia, in order that they may bo taken in charge by the Quarter-Master of the Militia, and kept in store pending further instructions. Captain Corbett and tho who'e of tho mon cmp oyed under the Royal Kngineers' Department will c iase to receive extra pay as workmen from and after the 2iJnd iittant. By Order, K. IijiUTTOX, Lieut., Garrison <2jti.

No. IS. Colon ol Wnrro 19 in error -when "ho supposes the orders issued by the Government were for the " entire reduction of tlio civil forces " at New Plymouth ; they are still on constant pay in tho service of the Colonial Governmeut at that place 932 militiamen, including officers, enrolled for active service, and who aro engaged to become military settlers in that province. At. tlio commencement of the war ai Taranaki tho strength of tho Taranaki Militia ineluding officers was 611. Tho military settlers above mentioned havo been since enrolled and introduced in New Plymouth, so thut after striking offi pay the town militia or ordinary settlers of the district, there remains on scrvico a much larger civilian force than Colonel Warro had before tho settlers camo from Melbourne in August. 1863. Tho expense to tho colony of maintaining the Taranaki Town Militia was about £64,000 per annum tho cost of the mili'ary settlers «oif without the ordinary militia is about £87,000 per annum, so that the colonial expenditure is far greater 11010 than it was when tho town militia was only maintained. The colony could no longer bear tho strain of tho double expenditure ; tho Government could not cut down that connected with t' 0 military settlers who have engagements with tho Government which the Government aro bound to maintain, and 110 alternative remained but to cut down tho expenditure whoro it was possible. Ministers see the great importance of continuing tho bush cutting operations about Mataitawa, and the)' propose to make arrangements with tho Superintendent of the province of Taranaki (who is now in Auckland) by which tho Provincial Government of New Plymouth will be enabled to employ the bushrangers in clearing the bush and in other public works. T. Russell. Auckland, October 2Gth, 1864. No. 16. Cjpy of a Letter frr.m General Cameron to His Excellency Sir Gcorgo Grey. Head Quarters, Auckland, 28th October, ISG-1. Sir, —With reference to tho memorandum of Ministers of the 2 >tli instant, in reply to my lettirto your Excellency of the 24th instant, on tho subject i f tho Taumaki Militia and Volunteers, I havo the honor to state that since tho arrival of tho military fottlers in that province, no necessity existed tor keeping tho town militia and volunteers on pay and rations, which I always understood was done by tho Government out of consideration for tho peculiar circumstances in which they wero placed ; but.it is very necessary tl at tho officer commanding at Taranaki should have tho power of calling out a portion of them for temporaly service 011 any sorions emergency ; and for this reason it is desirable that tboy should be mustered periodically for his inspection, which would entail very little inconvenienco or oxpense. I would also suggest the some course with regard to tho Auckland Militia and Volunteers, whoso services, though not wanted in the present state of affairs, may be required hereafter, if it should become necessary to assemble a large force of regular troops for active service in any other part of the island, four regiments, btsidos the Waikato Mililia, being-ab-sorbed in tho mere occupation of territory taken from tho rebel natives in this province alone. I have, &e., D. A. Camekon, Lieut.-General. Ilis Excellency Sir Georgo Grey, K.C.B. No. 17. Copy of a lotter from Under Secretary for Defence to Licut.-Colonel Leppcr. Colonial Defence Office, Auckland. sth November, 1864. Si ', —Beferring t" my letters to you, 011 the übject of t ie Taiamki low 1 Militiu being relieved from duty, I am now diieeted by tho Minister for Colonial 1 ofence to infoi7n yon il is the desire of the Government that tho Taranaki Town Militiu should bo music) o 1 for inspection o farms once a month ; and I am to roqucst you to take the necessary steps tor having this dono. I havo, &c., Wii.i.iam Seed. Lieut.-Colonel Lepper, New Plymouth. No. 18. Copy of a Letter from Under Secretary for Defenco to the Comptroller of Militia Pay, Auckland. ' Colonial Defence Office, Auckland, 18th October, 1804. Sir, —I am directed by t'lo Minister for Colonial Defence to request yon to reduce all militia expenditure in the Auckland district to the amount authorised before Ist June, 18G3, excepting in the departments of Military Secretary, Deputy Adjut-nt General, Comptroller of Militia Pay, Superintendent of Militia Stores, and to give notice at once to all persons who will be affected by this order that their pay and allowances will bo discontinued after tho 25th instant. I have, S c., William Seeij. The Comptroller of Militia Pay, Auckland. No. 19. Memorandum for Major-General Galloway. The C omptrollcr of Militia Pay lii b b - cn instructed to reduce the militia expenditure in tlio Auckland district to the amount authorised beforj the Ist June, 1863, excepting in tl e dopaitmente named in the margin. The pay ai d ullowances of all persons affected by this order is to eca?e after tlio 25th iuetant. Mnjor-Goneral Galloway is requested to he good enough to issue bucli directions, and take bucli steps as may be necessary for currying out this arrangement. T. RrSHELL. October 18, 18G4. No. 20. Mcmcrm-lum for Major-Goneral Galloway. The Major-Gcneral commanding tho local f irees is loquested io bo good enough to issue tho neccs-iury 1 rders for forthwith reducing tho Colonial Defence Force in tho province of Auckland to tlio sirength nMned in the margin (viz., two officers and twentyfive men). In th«s dispensing with tho sorvices of so many dfficors and men of the Colonial Defenco Force, the Government desires that tho Major-General will ex] ress to them its tense of the valuablo aid they have rendered to tho colony sineo they wore first enrolled, and particularly while tlioy were engaged i etual service along with tho Imperial troops. Major Walmsloy is especially entitled to tho thanks of the Government for tho zealous and efficient manner in which ho has always discharged his duties, and for the high slate of efficiency which has characterised the force ever sinco ho has been associated with it. T. lirssELT,. Colonial Defence Office, Auckland, 18th October, 1834. No. 21. Copy of a Letter from Under S -('rotary for Defence to Lieut.-Colonel Whitmoro. 1 c"onceOflico, Auckland. 18th October, IS 1 "4. S'r, —I am d : rected by tho Minister for Colonial Defence to request you, immediately 011 receipt of this letter, to take the necessary steps for forthwith reducing the strength of tho colonial dcfenco forco at Napier to two offiers and twenty-tivo men. You will lie good enough to sel:ct tho two officers wlioso services you may consider it. most desirable to retain, and report their names to this offico for confirmation. I have, &c, William Seei^. Lieutenant-Colonel Whitmoro, Napier. No. 22. Copy of a Lotter from tho Hon. T. Rn'sell to his Honor the Superintendent of Wellington. Colonial {Defence Office, Auckland, 17th October, 1864. Sir, —I have the honour to request that your Honor would be good enough, immediately on receipt of this letter, to instruct Commandant EdAvards to take the necessary steps for reducing the strength of tho Colonial Defenco force in tho Province of Wellington to two officers and twenty-five men in the wholo. '1 his arrangement is to bo carried out, if possible, from the 30th instant. The selection of the two ofliceiß lo be retained will rest with yourself Such of tho horses as aro the property of the Govern ment may ba sold by uuetion, and tlio proceeds paid iuto tho Sub-Troa3ury 1 but it would bo uaadvißa*