STRENGTH OF THE NATIVES.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1910, 22 August 1863, Page 3

STRENGTH OF THE NATIVES.

The New Zealander thus alludes to the numbers and resources of the Natives. : — Let us first, then look at the numbers that an intelligent and energetic man like William Thompson may be able to lead against Auok' land, and whom he is so successfully inciting that "To Auckland ! to Auckland !" is their urgent cry. The following is a carefully considered estimate :—• | Waikato, inchiding Ngatihaua, may furnish (fighting men) . . . . 2,500 Mokau 300 Taranaki, including Ngatiruanui, Wanganui and Ngatiawa,' .. .. 1,000 Taupo .' .. .. 400 Thames and Gulf of Houraki . . 800 Rotorua 500 East Coast 2,000 7,500 This estimate has not been losely prepared, but, on the contrary, by reference to Mr Fenton's work on native statistics, the enumeration will be found to be rather under than over the mark. Here then, we have a native army of 7,500 men ; and, cutting off one-third, if necessary, even 5000 would be found a powerful array for our scattered line of defenders to encounter and arrest, and rescue Auckland from panic, pillage, incendiarism and partial slaughter. Granted — some objecting hypercritic may say — tnat William Thompson may mass his 5000, 6000, or 7000 men — How is he to move ? How is be to feed them, and in what direction is the stroke likely to fall ? We have a ready answer to these and other objections ; and we bring them forward not to provoke controversy but to incite our rulers and fellow colonists to arouse and guard themselves against the murderous designs of their infuriated foes. Thompson and his confederates have, it is •aid, been as skilful in arranging their commissariat as in sending forth their summons for collection of their forces. Their supplies have been organized so as to feed them to within thirty miles of the city. Even outside our lines they will find farms "forsaken, flocks of sheep and herds of cattle left unttnted ; and on beef, mutton, pork, and fern root they can fare sumptuously as far as Taupo on the Thames, After which they will fall upon the abundant stores that have so long been providing by their Auckland emissaries, and which have been carefully deposited in the neighbouring forest ranges. Let the inqairy be make of the extent of purchases by natives of flour, biscuit, and else of Auckland millers and bakers, and the amount will be found to be something surprising.