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A—No. 3a

The continued absence of the October and November mails from England, and the consequent, ignorance of the wishes of the Home Authorities respecting the troops in this Command, urge me the more to seek your Excellency's assistance in securing for New Zealand the full complement of effectives viz., 1600 rank and file, which I have all along stated to be necessary, if so many outposts are to be maintained. I have, &c, (Signed) R. H. Wtnyakd, Col. Commanding the Farces. His Excellency The Governor. Government House, 2nd February 1858. Sir,— I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 25th January suggesting that I should make an application to the Australian Government for 4 Companies to supply the insufficiency ■of the Military force at present stationed in New Zealand. While thanking you for the suggestions contained in your letter I must state that in my opinion nothing but the most extreme necessity would warrant my applying to another Colony for Military assistance, and I do not think that necessity has yet arisen. The present disposition of troops has been made with a view to prevent any outbreak on the part of the Natives, and I have every reason to hope it will be attended with success. I have urged upon Her Majesty's Government the necessity of completing the force to its full establishment, but should my anticipations prove incorrect, I will not fail to act at once upon your other suggestions. I need not observe to you that so long as the wages of a day labourer continue at the present rate the Colony can make no exertion on its own behalf—no man can be expected to serve as a soldier for Is. a day when he can earn (!s. by working on the roads, and much more by other labor. I should add. that as soon as accommodation has been provided for the troops at Napier two companies only will be required there, and the remainder will be at your disposal. I have, &c, (Signed) T. Gore Beowne. The Honourable The Officer Commanding the Forces in New Zealand.

Auckland, 18th February, 1858. Sir, — As the efficiency of the New Zealand Militia is a work of time, if they respond to the call at all on the removal of the Troops from the extremities of the command, I feel it my duty (and I trust your jour Excellency will pardon me) to press upon the Colonial Government the necessity of considering where and how reinforcements can be obtained in the event of the Force under my command being concentrated at New Plymouth, at the expense of Auckland and Wellington. The Northern Province, which in such a case would be quite (for a small detachment of 50 men cannot be looked upon as more than Police) denuded of Troops, contains an area of nearly 17 millions of acres, and a Native population of upwards of 50,000. To traverse this space, and keep this population In check, the Detachment alluded to would be all the available Force. On the other hand, in the event of hostilities at New Plymouth, and the whole Force destined for that District collected, the total amount of Regulars will not exceed at the very outside seven hundred, aforce quite unequal to any lengthened and offensive operation, particularly if carried into the fastnesses of the forests, which under any circumstances I should recommend to be avoided, inasmuch as the Native having a thorough knowledge of the bye paths, slips through in a state of nudity, while the British Soldier, heavily armed and accoutred, has to scramble through in Indian files the best way he can, taking care also that he carries with him ammunition and other supplies,. Wellington I have not so forcibly alluded to, as 100 men might be withdrawn from Napier, and ao pushed on, if required, to Wanganui, with more ease than elsewhere, seeing the Southern Settlements can command the services of a suitable Steamer. On the lOth September, 1855, I informed your Excellency how the Troops should be disposed of if reduced to 1000, and dwelt upon the necessity of their being increased to 1600, under certain circumstances. On the 12th of September, 1856,1 entered still further into the subject, and have invariably laid stress on the desirability of having a Ship, or Ships of War, on the New Zealand station. Wanganui, perhaps is more a point for consideration than for the Ngatiruinui and the Wanganuis are powerful restless tribes, little to be depended upon, and in a position to be very troublesome to the Troops (at the mouth of the river so called) notwithstanding they occupy Stockades of considerable strength.