CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO THE INTRODUCTION OF MILITARY SETTLERS INTO THE PROVINCE OF WELLINGTON.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1863 Session I, A-08b

A.—No. Sb

CORRESPONDENCE RELATIVE TO THE INTRODUCTION OF MILITARY SETTLERS INTO THE PROVINCE OF WELLINGTON.

[Return to an Order of the House of Representatives, dated 30th November, 1863,]

" That there be laid upon the Table of this House Copies of all Correspondence between the Government, Mr. Mantell, and the Superintendent of Wellington, relative to the introduction of Military Settlers into the Province of Wellington."

(Mr. Fitzherbert.)

AUCKLAND.

186:.

A.—No 8n

No. 1. MEMOKAXDUM by the honobable mil mantels. Mi;. Domett, — I annex a note received to-day from a remarkably fine stalwart man, who first came personally to ask whether he could go to Waikato. A few days back a medical gentleman made a similar enquiry; and after seeing his diploma and testimonials, I gave him a note to enclose to you with his application. .\ gentleman, better qualified than any other in Otago, tells me, for your information, that a thousand men could now be raised there for the Waikato. Why not bring them up at once ? And 1 think that if superintendence be required, the same gentleman would be a most valuable acquisition, and that the Provincial Government might consent to spare him. I give his name in ;i confidential note. It is also rumoured that- a thousand men, or thereabouts, could be obtained from Nelson, where the weather has been unpropitious for diggers. I think it would be well to appoint some officer at each Settlement to satisfv applicants ; and would suggest for this place the Resident Magistrate or the Collector of Customs. Of course we should prefer that in this island men should remain where they now are : but they will not do so. Many of the labouring population have no homes to defend, —many who have homes fear their defence may be conducted as in the case of Taranaki during the last campaign ; for one reason or another, many would rather try their chances in the Waikato, and I for one would advise that they be permitted to do so. Whatever your decision, I would request that some officer here be instructed to communicate it to the applicant and others. W. Masteij.. 21st August, 1863.

Enclosure. Tai Tai, August 20th, 18G3. Sin, — I beg leave to apply to you to know if you can give me any information respecting Volunteering for the settlement of the Waikato country. According to the Kules issued by the Government, it seems that Volunteers have to be approved of by some officer appointed for the purpose. Is there any such officer in Wellington, and what kind of certificate! are required ? I may say, that I am 29 years of age, of sound constitution, but unfortunately (by accident) I have lost the sight of my left eye. I am at present in the Tai Tai Militia. There are many young men here who I do not doubt would Volunteer if they knew the exact conditions, and what sort of a country they would have for their services. By answering the ;i!>ove questions, and giving me any other information in your power, you will very greatly oblige Tours, &c, Joiix Gihfttx. The Hon. Mr. Mantel I. AVellington.

CORRESPONDENCE EEL.VTITE TO THE INTRODUCTION OF MILITAEY SETTLERS INTO THE PROVINCE OF WELLINGTON.

A.—No. 8b

No 2. THE HONORABLE THE COLONIAL SECRETARY TO TnE HONORABLE JIB. MANTEL!. Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, 16th September, 18G3. Me. Mantell, — In reference to your Minute of the 21st August, I am glad to inform you that it has been agreed upon by Ministers that an additional number of Military Settlers should be raised to serve in the Province of "Wellington, or elsewhere in the Southern part of the Northern Island, whercever they may be most required for its defence—the laud to be given to such settlers wherever it might be at the disposal of the Government for that purpose. The other conditions to be the same as those under which the Volunteers are being enrolled in Otago and Australia. His Excellency having approved of this proposal, regulations have accordingly been published suitable to the altered conditions. I enclose you the Gazette containing them. We wish, however, not to impede the raising of the full number of two thousand men for the Province of Auckland, which stands in most immediate need of this aid. Instructions will accordingly be given to the Government agents in Australia and Otago to enrol under these last conditions, a thousand men, as soon as the two thousand for Auckland shall have been raised, or if it is clear that sufficient men for both can be obtained, to commence enrolment of the thousand immediately. The latter could be stationed about Wellington or Wanganui or wherever their services may be most required. The officer in command of the Militia will be authorised to enlist men under these conditions in Wellington. There is no doubt it would be better to engage them as ultimate settlers in their own Province, but if as you suppose, they are unwilling to enlist on that condition, they can enrol themselves to serve in Wellington, leaving it open to Government to give them the land in such part of the Island as may be afterwards determined upon. I think, however, it is scarcely desirable to offer temptations to them to leave their own Province, which may possibly require their active service. Alfred Domett.

No. 3. THE HONORABLE MR. MANTELL TO THE HONORABLE THE COLONIAL SECRETART. October 14th, 18G3. Mr. Domett, — With reference to my Minute of 6th October, acknowledging yours of 16th September, on the raising of one thousand Military Settlers for the Southern part of the North Island, I have now to inform you that, having referred your minute to the Superintendent of this Province for his information, his Honor protests so strongly against the proposal, and so urgently requests me to postpone taking any steps in the matter until he shall have had an opportunity of laying his objections before you, that I do not propose to take any steps or to issue any instructions beyond such as are clearly necessary to prevent confusion should the proposed enlistments in Australia have proved successful, and the men arrive here before the issue of instructions from head-quarters to the Major commanding Militia and Volunteers. In mv opinion (if I may be allowed to express one) the introduction of these men would be beneficial, if proper care were exercised in their selection. But if such care be not exercised, or even if it be exercised bv persons unskilled in the selection of men, it would but result in the addition to our population, and at our expense, of a thousand men, of a class of which the Mother country would gladly supply an unlimited number, free of cost to the Colony, and even accompany them with troops at Imperial expense. Walter Mantell.

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INTRODUCTION OF MILITARY SETTLERS.