A.—No, 4.

3rd. From a Despatch which I received last mail from the Secretary of State for War, it is likely that orders will arrive at an early period, for a reduction of the force, and it is not advisable to establish posts with the prospect of their being soon abandoned. I have also to report to your Excellency, that the country between this coast and the bush is perfectly open, and deserted by the Natives; who have either established themselves in the bush, or occupy villages on its border; and, on the approach of a military force, are ready (as we found when we reconnoitred one of these villages yesterday) to retire into the bush, into which it would be useless for us to follow them-. If your Excellency's plan of permanently occupying this country is to be carried out, the best way of doing it, will be by establishing a line of posts along the border of the bush; but there are no troops at my disposal for the purpose; nor would it, in my opinion, be necessary to form such posts until there are settlers available to place on the land. I shall be glad to receive your Excellency's instructions on the above subjects as soon as possible, and to know whether you intend that the posts already established, shall be occupied by the troops during the winter; as, in that case, it will be necessary to construct huts or blockhouses for them, without delay. I have, Ac, D. A. Cameron, His Excellency Sir George Grey, K.C.B. Lieut.-General. No. 66. Lieut-General Sir. D. A. Cameron to His Excellency the Governor. My Dear Sir George,— Camp near Waingongoro, Bth April, 1865. Considering the distance we are from each other without any regular communication, it is very desirable when I refer any subject to you, that you should let me know your wishes so clearly and decidedly, that no delay may be occasioned by the necessity of a second reference. Your last letter on the subject of blockhouses has left it doubtful whether you intend that the troops shall continue to occupy this country, and consequently whether it would be right to incur the expense of constructing blockhouses. In the event however of your deciding that the troops shall occupy the posts we have established on this coast, I enclose an estimate by Colonel Mould of the materials required for a blockhouse for 40 men. Vv'e should require materials for three such blockhouses, viz., at the Patea, at Manawapou, and here. lam glad to hear that the materials for these blockhouses have been been prepared and are ready for shipment, though by whose instructions and by whose estimate they were prepared I am at a loss to conceive, as, if I remember right when I brought the subject to your notice in September last, you informed me that the Government intended to employ the men in building stockades. The points at which I now recommend blockhouses to be built are so far from the bush that the stockades are out of the question. lam very anxious to have your instructions about our going further along the coast. There might be a steamer told off to keep up the communication between us. I have, Ac, His Excellency Sir George Grey, K.C.B. D. A. Cameron. Enclosure to No. 66. MEMOEANDUM of the Quantities and Dimensions of Timber and other Materials required for a Blockhouse to accommodate 40 men.

14 cwt. galvanized corrugated iron in 6 feet lengths; 841bs. galvanized snaprails; 65 feet run galvanized ridge capping j lOlbs. 4 in. nails; 841bs. 3 in. nails ; 281bs. 2^ in. nails ; 401bs. 3 in. floor brads ; 2 windows, 12 panes, 10 x 8 glass ; 2 pair centres for windows ; 1 door 6ft. 6in. x 2ft. 9in. in two thicknesses of 1| in. plank ; li pair strong 24 in. T hinges ; 1 12 in. wood stock lock ; 1 strong homemade thumb latch. Probable cost of the above, exclusive of delivery and labor in erecting, £150. Thos. E. Mould, Camp, Waingongoro, 7th April, 1865. Commanding Eoyal Engineers. No. 67. His Excellency the Governor to Lieut.-General Sir D: A. Cameron. Sib, — Government House, Auckland, 17th April, 1865. In reply to your letter of the Bth instant, upon the subject of the timber required for the erection of Blockhouses on the Coast between Taranaki and Wanganui, I have the honor to state that I will request the Minister for Colonial Defence to give the necessary instructions for giving effect to your wishes. I have, Ac, Lieut.-General Sir D. A. Cameron, K.C.B. G. Grey.

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CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THE

Walls ... 640 pieces, 4 x 3, 8 ft. . Plates ... 380 feet run,6 x 3, ... Rafters ... 50 pieces, 4x3, 12 ft. . Collars ... 12 „ 4 x 2, 12 ft. . Gables ... 6 „ 4 x 3, 8 ft. . Joists ... 25 „ G x 3, 18 ft. . Roof Boarding 1500 feet sup. 1 in Weather „ 1300 „ 1 in Floor Boards . 1100 „ l|in 8. f. . 5,120 . 570 . 600 96 48 . 450 . 1,600 . 1,300 . 1,575 Total Timber . . . . 11,359