ISSUED TO ERIENDLY NATIVES

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D.—No. 21

B.—No. 29. Copy of a Letter from Captain Holt to Lieut.-Colonel Gorton. (No. 355-2.) Colonial Defence Office, Sir, — Wellington, 2nd October, 1865. As Captain Noake is about to proceed on a special mission to endeavour to secure the murderers of the Native policeman, I am directed by the Defence Minister to request you will let that officer have any arms, accoutrements, &c, he may apply for, and which are in your power to supply. Tou will also be good enough to render him every assistance. I have, &c, Lieut.-Colonel Gorton, .J. Holt, Commanding Militia District, Wanganui. Under Secretary.

C—No. 30. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Booth to Mr. Rolleston. Resident Magistrate's Office, Sim,— Pipiriki, 12th December, 1865. In reply to your letter No. and date as per margin, I have the honor to state that the following are the only occasions on which I ever issued any arms to Natives in my district, viz. : — On the 20th July last, four smooth-bore muskets to four of Hamiona Hiroti's men. 2nd, On the 11th November last, I got on requisition, from the Militia Office, Wanganui, forty short carbines, and fifteen cutlasses for the use of the men employed on water transport. The smooth-bore guns now in the hands of the Natives, were issued by my predecessor Mr. White. The new rifles which most of the Natives now also possess, were issued at Wereroa by Major (then Captain) McDonnell. I have, &c, W. Rolleston, Esq., Under Secretary, James Booth, Native Office, Wellington. Resident Magistrate.

(Not quoted.)

C—No. 31. Copy of a Letter from Lieut.-Colonel Gorton to the Hon. the Defence Minister. (No. 58.) Militia and Volunteer Orderly-room, Sir, — Wanganui, 4th October, 1865. I have the honor to forward for your information copy of a letter I received from Mr. Booth, R.M., applying for arms and ammunition for the Wanganui River Transport Corps, and also a copy of my reply, showing the action I took upon the matter, which I trust will meet with your approval. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister for Colonial Defence, E. Gorton, Lt.-Col., Wellington. Commanding W.M. District.

C.—Enclosure 1 in No. 31. Copy of a Letter from Mr. Booth to Lieut.-Colonel Gorton. (No. 99.) Resident Magistrate's Office, Sir, — Pipiriki, 2nd October, 1865. I have the honor to request that you will furnish arms and ammunition to forty men of the Wanganui River Transport Corps. The most useful weapon for canoes will be the short carbine with a cutlass. Some of the Natives have already had rifles issued to them ; these being unsuitable for canoes, will be returned into store. In addition, I have the honor to remark that the River Transport men, although employed by the Imperial Government, are in reality militiamen, and as such I have, on their behalf, made this application. I have, Sue., Lieut.-Colonel Gorton, James Booth, R.M., Commanding Militia District, Wanganui. Superintendent, Water Transport.

C—-Enclosure 2 in No. 31. Copy of a Letter from Lieut.-Colonel Gorton to Mr. Booth. (No. 55.) Militia and Volunteer Orderly-room. Sir, — Wanganui, 3rd October, 1865. In reply to your letter No. 99, of yesterday's date, I have already given instructions to the Quartermaster to furnish you with forty percussion carbines, and 2,800 rounds of ammunition, for which you will be good enough to sign receipts in duplicate. As most of the Natives of the Wanganui River have been, I am informed, armed with the long rifle, I beg to suggest that you had better not issue the carbines to those who have rifles in their possession until they give in the latter weapons, which I shall feel obliged by your returning to the Quartermaster's stores. I have, &c, James Booth, Esq., R.M., E. Gorton, Lt.-Col., Superintendent, Water Transport, Pipiriki. Commanding W.M. District. 5