E.-NO.

I believe that a reinforcement of five or six hundred troops is absolutely required, and such a force might even now be the means of averting hostilities. I need scarcely remark to His Excellency's Government that the mare fact of an attack upon Hawke's Bay would endanger the whole of the ssttlements in the Wellington Province, and the destruction of life, and value of property, even in any of the smaller out-settlements in these Provinces, would have a most prejudicial effect upon the Native mind, and tend more than anything else to renew and indefinitely prolong hositilities in the country. I should feel myself wanting in duty to the inhabitants of Hawke's Bay, who are in danger of losing their lives, their homes, and property, and indifferent to the general interests of the country, if I failed to represent the present critical state of that Province. I have the honor to remain, Sir, Tour very obedient servant, Dokald McLean, The Hon. the Colonial Secretary. Superintendent. No. 2. MEMORANDUM by the Gotmfob. The G-overnor having consulted the General, finds that if Ministers consider three hundred men a sufficient reinforcement to be sent to Hawke's Bay that number of men can shortly be sent to that place. The G-overnor only waits to hear if the other arrangement he is about to mention will receive the recommendation of his Eesponsible Advisers, in order that it may be determined from what point or points the reinforcements for Hawke's Bay should be drawn. In order to make a decision to be come to as rapidly as possible, the " Sandfly" has been sent express to Auckland. In reference to the desire expressed by Ministers that a strong post should be maintained at Tauranga for the present, the General states that he does not think that the force now there can be with safety reduced for the present. Ministers some time since informed the Governor that they thought of occupying Tauranga as a military settlement ; the Governor has consulted the General upon this subject, and encloses a letter he has received from him regarding it, from which it will be seen that about one thousand military settlers could hold a considerable piece of country here on which they might ultimately be in part located. It is a position which, in many respects, holds out great advantages for military settlers. If Ministers determine to carry out this plan, then General Galloway is authorized to draw from any of his posts three hundred of the Waikato Militia, and to send them here, so as to put an equal number of regular troops free to go from this place to Hawke's Bay. The moment Ministers signify their intention to occupy Tauranga as a military settlement, the troops here could be employed in constructing the redoubts, in which the military settlers are to be placed. G. Gkey. Tauranga, May 13th, 1864, Enclosing to No. 2. COPY of a Letter from Lieut.-General Sir D. Camkhox, X.C.8., to Sir George Grey, K.C.B. Tauranga, Sir — 13th May, 1864. Tour Excellency having requested my opinion as to the number of men necessary for the defence of a settlement located along the coast between Te Papa and the Wairoa Eiver, I have the honor to state that I consider that 500 men would be sufficient. I would propose to establish a post on the site of the native pah near the "Wairoa, another at the ford opposite Te Papa, and two intermediate posts. To support these posts it would be necessary to keep a force of at least 400 men at Te Papa. I would recommend that the post recently established at the Gate Pah should be maintained at a strength of 150 men. 1 remain, Your obedient servant, • D. A. Cameron, Lieutenant General. His Excellency Sir George Grey, K.C.B. No. 3. MEMORANDUM by Ministers. Ministers send, for the information of His Excellency the Governor, a number of Despatches which have been received from Wanganui. It appears to Ministers that danger exists there, and that some reinforcement should be sent, if, in the opinion of the General commanding, it be possible to spare them either from this place or Taranaki.

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PAPERS RELATIVE TO NATIVE AFFAIRS.