D.—No. 5
The undertaking by Government to furnish rations was, on further consideration, reduced from 18 to 12 months, and it is set down at the shorter period in these Eegulations. Tou will thus find that precise instructions have been given on all the points as to which vou are anxious, but, if some provision should still be omitted, it will at once be attended to. I have, &c, "V^. Q-isBOHsri;, Under-Secretary. T. Kelling, Esq.
No. 16. THE HONORABLE THE COLONIAL SECRETARY TO THE SUPERINTENDENT OF TARANAKI. Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, 23rd February, 1863. Sir, — In reference to the proposed German Settlement in the Province of Taranaki, I have the honor to request that you Will be good enough to have a track cut to the spot which your Honor has recommended as the site of the village to be laid out for them, with as little delay as possible. The track in the first instance should be merely such as to make the site accessible by horsemen, so that in case of a better track being found, or changes in its course required, as little money may have been expended on the first cutting as practicable. I have also to request your Honor to commence the clearing of the site with a strong party of men, if in your opinion this can be beneficially done at present. One of the first objects is to ascertain whether a proper supply of water can be obtained on the village site to enable a stockade to be placed there. If it be found necessary to sink a well, this should also be done at once, before the wet season commences. I have full confidence that your Honor's desire to make the funds for the purposes of this settlement productive of the greatest amount of benefit, will secure the utmost economy in the execution of these works. The expenditure will be charged against the loan for the construction of Roads and other Public works in the Northern Island. I have, &c, Alfred Domett. His Honor the Superintendent of Taranaki.
No. 17. THE SUPERINTENDENT OF TARAN'AI\"I TO THE HONOBABLE THE COLONIAL SECRETARY. Taranaki, March 3rd, 1863. Si is, — Although I ma v incur the imputation of impertinence in again offering an opinion on a matter which has already been decided by competent judges, I am so strongly impressed with the unsuitableness of Pikipara as a position for a German settlement, that I venture again to trouble you with a representation of the serious objection which (as it appears to me) exists against it on military grounds. I grant that, as a non-combatant. I have little title to be heard on military matters ; but, iiaving resided here since the commencement of the war, I have had constant opportunities of observing tbe tactics of the Maoris. Consequently I have one important advantage over persons avlio know Maori fighting by report only, and who (if I am not mistaken) are providing against a danger which does not really exist. Prom what has come to my ears, I have reason to suppose that the authorities dread the bush as the stronghold of the Maoris ; and, acting on this idea, have resolved to plant a strong-hold of Germans at Pikipara in bush. Now, the dense bush was not the stronghold of the Maoris. Their positions, almost without exception, were in open ground. Tukuperu indeed (Burton's Hill) was nominally in the bush, lint was really in the midst of extensive! clearings ; and what is very remarkable, was commanded by bush-covered huid within easy range. Ratapihipihi too, and Huirangi, which could scarcely be called positions, were clearings on the edge of the bush, with roads into them. So far as I know, all the other positions were in open ground. Even the celebrated potato-field, so considerately left to grow for the supply of the Maori Commissariat, was but very little way in the bush, and in sight of one of our blockkouses.
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INTRODUCTION OF GERMAN IMMIGRANTS.