THE NEW COMMANDER OF THE COLONIAL FORCES, AND THE INACTIVE " FRIENDLIES."

Colonist, Volume XII, Issue 1157, 27 October 1868, Page 3

THE NEW COMMANDER OF THE COLONIAL FORCES, AND THE INACTIVE " FRIENDLIES."

The Wanganui Times of October 20tli, says:— " Colonel Whitmoro arrived from Wellington on Sunday last, accompanied by liis aide-de-camp, Mr. Foster, who arrived in Wellington from England by the last Panama steamer, and was just in time for a Captaincy which he is to have in one of the Constabulary companies now being raised. At two o'clock on Sunday, Colonel Whitmore accompanied by his aide-de-camp, and escorted by twelve of the Wanganui Volunteer Cavalry started for Wereroa. On reaching Otaku, about thirteen miles from Wanganui, they met Colonel Grorfon with his escort returning from there, and, 'from information received,' Colonel Whitmore considered it advisable to l'eturn to Wanganui, and try to get to Patea by sea, which, judging from the present state of the weather, he will not be able to do for some days to come. "As commander of the Force it was clearly Colonel Whitmoro's duty to inspect the camp at Weroroa, and give instructions to the native chiefs stationed there. If those men are not willing to obey his orders, then why keep 450 of them on pay and rations, armed to the teeth, and in possession of a largo amount of ammunition, but without a European officer at whose command they would move an inch? Wo say that it was clearly Colonel Whitmore's duty to seothsse men, and we think it is to bo regretted that when on his way to do so he halted and returned to Wanganui. If they will not obey him and co-operate, under his instructions, with the European force at Patea, then he should understand from them what independont action they purpose to take, and act accordingly."