E.—No. 3. SECTION I,

Lieut.-Uolonel Logan informs me that during the period he was stationed at Whanganui he made himself thoroughly acquainted with the neighbourhood, and he fools satisfied, if his plan is adopted, that considerable expense may be saved by converting well selected settlers' houses into defensible buildings for the protection of the surrounding property, thereby avoiding the necessity of building blockhouses or stockades. I am sorry that Colonel Logan does not apparently attach the same importance to the command of the River that I have been accustomed to consider necessary, not only from frequent private communications with officers, as expressed in my report of the 16th instant, but from the experience acquired during the war in 1847-48, when the Natives were so speedily brought to reason by their being shut out from obtaining their supplies from the Whanganui market. Colonel Logan tells me that he has already brought the necessity for a small steamer or gunboat being placed on the River to the notice of the Lieut.-General Commanding. Trusting the Lieutenant-General will pardon my suggesting any measures for the defence of a place I only know by the reports of others. I have, &c, H. S. Wabbe, Colonel Commanding Troops at Taranaki. The Assistant Military Secretary, Auckland. New Plymouth, 20th July, 1863. SiK,— With reference to a conversation. I had with you this morning relative to the defence of Whanganui, I have the honor to state that in the event of the Militia and Volunteers being called out, I consider that the Outsettlements generally could be guarded for a time at Rangitikei, provided that a number of mounted settlers be formed in that locality, and which has been already suggested by me to the General. I would strongly recommend that in the event of the families being obliged to retire they should be located at Turakina, which is about twelve mile3 from Whanganui, and to which place there is a good metalled road, the male population of the District forming a defence in bodies of ten or twelve in several houses which are available in the Eangitikei District. The whole of the stock, &c, could be driven between the rivers Wangaehu and Turakina, over which there are good bridges, and where they would be perfectly safe. On the North side detachments of Militia, &c, could occupy Kai Iwi (seven miles from Whanganui), and which joins the Waitotara Block, and at which place there is a good house easily defended. There are other good positions which command the road and tracks of the up-river Natives from " Kaitake " to Waitotara. The house of Mr. Hall, a settler, commands the whole of the river for five miles above the Town, and is only three miles distant. This plan would keep open the communication between Whanganui and Kai Iwi As regards Militia and Volunteers, I am convinced between seven and eight hundred could be mustered, provided they were under the orders of the Senior Officer, and allowed to act with the military for drill purposes. I have been informed of this fact by themselves. I regret I have no plan of the country, my baggage not yet having arrived, but shall write and procure one. Apologising for this hurried letter, I have, &c, E. W. Logan, Lieut.-Col., 57th Kegiment, Commanding Outposts, &c, Poutoko.

No. 83.

No. 33. copt of DESPATCH feom govebnob sib geobge gbey, jk.c.b., to his gbace the duke or NEWCASTLE, E.G. Government House, Auckland, 28th July, 1863. My Lord Duke, — I have the honor to enclose for Your Grace's information the Copy of a Letter I have received from Lieutenant-General Cameron, C.B., reporting that he had crossed the Maungatawhiri Stream, and had occupied a position on its left bank which would enable him to secure the communication between the two posts in that direction; an attack upon w hich formed a leading part of the plan of operations which the Chiefs of Waikato proposed to undertake with a view of invading this Settlement. I beg to call Your Grace's attention to the high terms in which Lieutenant-Geueral Cameron speaks of the valuable assistance rendered to him on this occasion by Captain Sullivan, E.N. I have, &c, G. Grey. His Grace the Duke of Newcastle, K.G.

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DESPATCHES FROM GOVERNOR SIR G. GREY