-80. 2

As 110 active operations are at present contemplated at Taranaki, Ministers suggest that, if in the opinion of the Lieutenant General no better arrangcinent cau be trade, some of the Taranaki Militia (from Victoria) may be made available. They were enlisted with the understanding that they should eventually be located between New Plymouth and "VVanganui. FbEDIC. "WIIITAKEE. Auckland, 14th May, 1864. No. 4. MEMORANDUM by Ministeks. Ministers have received His Excellency the Governor's Memorandum of the 13th instant, relative to the disposition of troops, with a view to the establishment of military settlements at Tauranga, with the letter from General Cameron enclosed on the same subject. Ministers have carefully considered the arrangements proposed by His Excellency and the General, and they beg to recommend that they should be carried out. Ministers have communicated with General Galloway, and he informs them that the 300 "Waikato Militiamen will be ready for embarkation to Tauranga on Priday morning. As, upon enquiry, it is found that no steam transport is available here at present, Ministers request that the ' Sandfly' may be sent back, and if she should be required at Tauranga, that the " Miranda" may be made available for the purpose. A small steamer, the " Ballarat," has been chartered by the Government to proceed to Hawkc's Bay, and as she is on the way from Manukau, and is intended to leave here on "Wednesday, she will be available to call at Tauranga, if required and transport a portion of the militia to that post. Fbedk. "Whitakeb. Auckland, 14th May, 1864. No. 5. MEMORANDUM by Ministers. Ministers beg to inform His Excellency that the three hundred (300) military settlers for Tauranga, referred to in their Memorandum of the 14th instant, are now ready for embarkation and they wish to know before engaging transports whether it is intended that the men should be sent to Tauranga as proposed by Minister*, or whether other arrangements have been made. t- -\ ■i n t rvai T- Eusseli,. ( olonial Defence Office, Auckland, 17th May, 1864. No. 6. MEMORANDUM by the Governor. The Governor having received the Memorandum of Ministers relative to the proposed embarka toon ot three hundred men for Tauranga, thinks that as Lieutenant General Cameron may be exnectod hourly to arrive in Auckland, it is better to let the matter stand over until he reaches this place Go\ eminent House, ' ' " May 17th, 1864. No. 7. MEMORANDUM by Mixistkes. On the several points submitted by His Excellency the Governor for their consideration Minister, beg to state that they have come to the following conclusions : — ' 1. They denire respectfully to say that they entirely approve of the course taken by the General in not carrying on further offensive operations at Tauranga, and also in maintaining the posts he nm poses to hold. ° l ' °" 2. The first active step Ministers recommend to be taken is to reinforce TVWanui to meet th« threatened emergency there. beet 'eet lne 8. The next to reinforce Hawke's Bay, as already proposed. 4. To carry on such operations at Taranaki and "Wanganui as may be found practicable having regard to Use number ot troops which will be available by the substitution of the river transport for the land transport. v 5. The Officer to command of the Upper Waikato District, if the General be absent to hava power to harass the enemy in such manner as the force at his disposal will enable him to do' and fo locate military settlers in the district. ' " | To locate three hundred (300) military settlers at Tauranga. To enable this to be dorm Ministers propose to withdraw altogether some of tho posts between Auckland and Waikato and WWB Thames, which the present state of the country appears to them to render necessary

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PAPERS RELATIVE TO NATIVE AFFAIRS.