NEW PLYMOUTH, MARCH 20, 1869.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 869, 20 March 1869, Page 2

NEW PLYMOUTH, MARCH 20, 1869.

Since the recent massacre at the White Cliffs, the whole of the military movements in this district have been arranged with the view of acting strictly on the defensive, and in watching over the safety of the outsettlers, who are busily occupied in securing their crops. On the whole we think that this object has been fairly carried out ; the only defect, in our opinion, is the absence of a bush-ranging party, which ought to be moving twice or three times a week between Manutahi and Oakura. This would render more complete the present state of defenco. We had hoped that the officer commanding the Milit'a would have seen the necessity there exists, after the Constabulary were securely posted, that they should not be allowed to waste their energies with wearisome contemplation of the mud walls of their redoubt, but that they should be always kept in training, and ready to act on any emergency. If trained to the bush bo much the better. We shall be glad to hear that steps have been taken to remedy this deficiency. This 13 the more necessaiy in that the people of this district have never been sparing in giving good advice to others, as to the best mode of training men to act against the enemy with the greatest success; it therefore behoves us to- put our theories into practice when Aye have tho power to do so.

The urgent nceil of it is fully explained by a statement in.ide to us, relativo to some disorderly proceedings which have taken place at an outpost lately provided with a bush inn. If the scene of riot and drunkenness, which has been described to us as having occurred on a Sunday, really took place — and at present we have no reason to doubt it — it is time that a more efficient supervision of the discipline of the garrisons and outposts was inaugurated, and any officer guilty of permitting and participating in such scenes of disorganisation, should be at once dismissed from the service. Our mind is rather confused at the present time as to who is the person in authority as regards the defenco of tho district. Of course we are aware that Major Brown is gazetted &* the otficer ! in command of the Militia and Volunteers, yet we have a faint recollection of hearing his Honor the Superintendent say at a public meeting, that tho power was vested in him by the General Government to call out the Militia for actual servic%, or in case of any pressing and immediate danger, to placo on pay any number of men necessary for the defenco ofthe district ; and in all matters affecting the natives, he should be greatly guided by the opinions of the Civil Commissioner. Now there is something delightfully vague in the situation. These three gentlemen have each something of authority, which might, at some critical time, prove detrimental to the interests of the community. We do not mean to state that such is likely to occur, we merely j hint at the possibility of it, as they are but human. We have no doubt that they are, each and all, above the little childish tricks of thi'owing official difficulties in each others way, which many of lesser minds would do, if their vanity or dignity were offended by a neglect of the observance of some official routine. Divided authority never yet answered. Some one must be not only supreme, but prepared to act on his own authority when the service ofthe public requires it ; and if there is the least doubt as to who is in authority in the matter of the defence of this district, the sooner that doubt is set at rest, the better it will be for the individuals immediately concerned,' and for the public generally. We have had a lesson as to the danger occurring to the public service resulting from a want of concurrent action in the Patea District. It is to avoid, as far a3 possible the likelihood of any such drag on the beneficial administration of affairs here, that we now contemplate the possibility of such a situation, if the chief authority is not clearly defined before any serious difference of opinion could operate to the prejudice of the public. + The return of agricultural statistics for this Province has been forwarded to us for publication by the Superintendent Collector, and will be found in another column. It is very gratifying to know that there has been some progress made since the last returns were collected in December, 1867. For convenience of reference, we have given the returns for that date, by which it will be seen that our area of cultivated laud has increased by upwards of 4,000 acres. There is a greater breadth this season under wheat, barley, hay, and potatoes ; but the chief increase is under the head of permanent artificial grass. If we include the Maori cultivations, we may estimate the extent of land under wheat at 1,000 acres, and the yield at 18,000 bushels ; this will not be equal to one year's consumption. We estimate the deficiency at from six to 10,000 bushels, assuming that each ofthe population requires six bushels per annum. Of potatoes we calculate a total yield of 3,600 tons, exclusive of those raised by the natives; if there is a fair demand we could easily spare from 1,000 to 1,500 tons. It is to be regretted that a return of the cattle and sheep was not taken. It is of as much importance that we should know the stock of meat on hand, as that we should know the supply of wheat. It has been ascertained in America that each one hundred of the population require eighty head of cattle, of which eight should be working oxen, and twenty-eight milch cows. We estimate the stock of cattle in the Province at 4,000 head, of which 1,100 may be classed as milch cows. If this calculation is correct, and our population estimated at 4,000, it will be seen that we have a surplus of 800 head ; but it is very doubtful if more than one-half are fit for the butcher. With regard to the milch cows, according to the American calculation, we have only enough for our own use ; and if we are to do much in the export of butter and cheese, we shall have to enlarge our stock of these animals materially. We see by the return of the Inspector of Sheep, that our flocks number 21 ,000, of these 9,000 consisting of breeding ewes, 3,000 wethers, and 9,000 lambs. Of the wethers and full mouth ewes, we could spare for export at least 3,000, and if they averaged fifty pounds, would represent a total of 150,000 lbs. of mutton. Our surplus stock of cattle would represent about an equal amount of beef, making a total of 300,000 lbs. as our annual surplus of meat supplied by our present stock. It is time that our farmers should look out for a market ; for when once the stock is fat, the sooner it is disposed of the better. In a month or two the gross weight ofthe animals will gradually decrease, and when in low condition they will be absolutely unsaleable. We would suggest the formation of an export associatioa of holders of fat stock, for the purpose of finding a market for the surplus, and obtaining the best possible price. Perhaps this would necessitate the charter of a small steamer to run from the Waitara ; the stock could be driven there and shipped at a small cost, and without risk. This will have to be done sooner or later, and in the present unsettled state of affairs, it would be a wise precaution on the part of the out-sett'ers to clear off all fat stock and convert it into | cash.