A.—No. 4a
4
FURTHER PAPERS RELATIVE TO THE AGENCY
545 3 14.9.68.
I have also to inform you that the population (European) is decreasing rapidly ; thirty persons left in the last vessel for Auckland, and many more are waiting for the first opportunity to follow. Lieut.-Colonel AVhitmore informed me that he had recommended two gentlemen for Captains' commissions in the Poverty Bay Militia, and left the two subalterns for me to name. I would, therefore, beg to recommend George Nevill Dodd, and Fredk. Wm. Gascoigne, Esqs., as the two Lieutenants in the Poverty Bay Militia. I have, &c, Reginald Newton Biggs, The Under-Secretary, Defence Office, AVellington. Major Commanding Colonial Forces.
No. 3. Copy of a Letter from Major Biggs to the Under Secretary, Colonial Defence. Sir,— Te AVairoa, 7th September, 186 S. I have the honor to inform you that owing to the ex-prisoners having erected a pa near to the scene of the last engagement, I considered it necessary to keep some scouts constantly on the look out to give warning of any movement made by them in the direction of Poverty Bay. I therefore before leaving the district (which I was compelled to do to attend the sitting of the Native Land Court at this place), left instructions with Capt. AVestrup to employ six men, three Maoris and three Europeans, to scout the country along the two roads to the enemy's quarters, taking with them three to four days' provisions. They have been promised pay for this service, but the rate per day has not been fixed, as I preferred leaving that to the Hon. Defence Minister. The men will provide themselves with horses, &c. I have to request you to inform me, in the event of the Defence Minister approving of the precautionary measure which I have taken, the rate per diem the men are to receive. I have, &c., Reginald Newton Biggs, The Under Secretary, Colonial Defence, Wellington. Major Commanding Colonial Forces.
No. 4. Copy of Letter from Chief Clerk, Defence, to Major Biggs. (No. 545-3.) Colonial Defence Office. Sir,— AVellington, 14th September, 1868. By direction of the Hon. Dr. Pollen, in the absence of the Defence Minister, I have the honor to acknowledge your letters of the Ist and 7th instant, addressed to the Under Secretary, Defence Office, and to inform you that orders have been sent to Napier by telegraph authorizing an increase to the strength of the Constabulary, and that any arms you may require for arming Europeans only, you can obtain from the Militia Store at Napier on application to Capt. Withers, to whom a considerable supply of arms and accoutrements has already been forwarded, and to whom more will be sent by the first opportunity. With reference to your letter of the 7th instant, you are at liberty to continue to to retain the services of the scouts you have already employed so long as you may consider it necessary, the pay being at the same rate as that of the Constabulary, and I have been instructed to inform you that the Government having approved of the recommendation of Col. AVhitmore, —that Mr. Gascoigne should organize a scouting party for the roads at AVhenuakura, of not more than twelve men, Natives or others, I am to request you to have the goodness to issue without delay the necessary orders to that officer, that no time may be lost in giving effect to Col. Whitmore's recommendation ; the men already employed by you might form part of Mr. Gascoigne's scouts. I have, &c, F. Stevens, Major Biggs, Commanding Militia District, Poverty Bay. Chief Clerk. P.S. —Capt. Saunders, at AVairoa, is to be authorized to employ twenty Volunteers for actual service on the usual rates of pay. F. Stevens.
No. 5. Copy of a Letter from Major Biggs to the Chief Clerk, Defence Office. Sir,— Poverty Bay, sth October, 1868. I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter, number and date as per margin, and to inform you that Mr Gascoigne started on Saturday last, the 3rd inst., with five scouts, all Maoris. As yet he has been unable to obtain the services of any Europeans. The European scouts whom I employed before preferring to go shearing, and as they were only engaged for three weeks, I could not compel them to serve. There are some half a dozen good men living along the coast between here and Waiapu whom I hope to obtain. I have also to inform you that the arms required for the Militiamen of the Poverty Bay District have been received by me. I have, Ac, Reginald Newton Biggs, The Chief Clerk, Defence Office, AVellington. Major Commanding Local Forces.
No. 6. Memorandum by Mr. McLean. The present unsettled state of the North Island, and the feeling of insecurity that prevails at Hawke's Bay and the East Coast, induce me, before returning to Napier, to offer every assistance in my power to the Government, should it desire that I should act for and represent it in that part of the Island.