ZEALAND TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

93

A.—No. la.

They instance the case of Lieutenant-Colonel Harington, at Tauranga, who, during Colonel Hamilton's absence on leave for a few days, was superseded by Captain Sillery, of the 18. 12th Eegiment, who received a commission as Lieutenant-Colonel for the occasion. Lieutenant-Colonel Harington was in command of the Militia District of Tauranga; he had served in Her Majesty's Forces for as long a period as Captain Sillery —he had been in command of a colonial regiment for more than two years, and, during a portion of that time, had been acting as Colonel-Commandant of four fully organized regiments. Major Eocke also had in his possession a commission as Lieutenant-Colonel, to bo exercised in case Lieutenant-Colonel Gorton (who had been nine years in the 57th Eegiment), should be sent from Wanganui to Patea ; and Captain Noblett was appointed a Local Major, that he might command Major McDonnell, who had served with the greatest distinction throughout the New Zealand war, and had received the highest commendations from the Major-General Commanding the Troops. This determination to subordinate Local Commanders to any junior Imperial Officer, without reference to their respective qualifications, whenever portions of the two corps may be serving together, is not onlv very humiliating to the Colonial Troops, but, in the event of special operations, might work so injuriously, that Ministers cannot acquiesce in it; and they protest against the invariable and indiscriminate exercise of this power, not only as being detrimental to the Colonial Service, but contrary to the instructions of the late Lord Herbert, who, when Secretary of State for War, directed that it should bo very sparingly used, aud only when evident inconvenience would otherwise arise (Enclosure No. 4). Ministers express their regret that they should have mentioned Captain Noblett's name in their Memorandum, as it appears by Lieut.-Colonel McDonnell's letter that he had offered to march out some of his men to the margin of the bush on the morning after the Colonial Expeditionary Force had passed through his camp at Waingongoro. 18th June, 1867. T. M. Hauxtain.

Sub-Enclosure 1 to Enclosure in No. 38. For His Excellenct the Govebnoe, — Ministers have no desire to put Major McDonnell and the Colonial Force in the Patea District from under the orders of the Major-General, if the Imperial Troops are about to undertake any operations to secure the tranquillity of the district, and to punish the Natives who have recently committed outrages in the neighbourhood of Kitemarai. They are only anxious that Major McDonnell should not be impeded in endeavouring to perform this service, if he has to act without the assistance of the Begular Troops. 14th July, 1866. T. M. Haultain.

Sub-Enclosure 2 to Enclosure in No. 38. (Garrison Orders.) New Plymouth, 17th February, 1866. Undee instructions from the Major-General Commanding, Officers commanding at the several outposts are clearly to understand that no restrictions are placed upon their harassing and attacking the enemy whenever and wherever they may be able to do so. Officers commanding at Warea and Opunaki especially are instructed to lose no opportunity in attacking the rebel Natives, and by constant patrols and reconnoitring parties to harass and annoy them as much as possible. Officers commanding outposts are requested and enjoined to support and assist each other in currying out the operations as far as is compatible with tho safety of the post under their charge. (By order) H. B. Bussell, Brevet Major, Garrison Adjutant.

Sub-Enclosure 3 to Enclosure in No. 38. Sir, — Wellington, sth June, 1867. With reference to Major Boeke's letter, dated 13th November, 1866, which you have referred to me, I have the honor to enclose the following remarks : — Major Bocke states, at the end of paragraph 1, " that it is quite untrue therefore to state that " communications have been stopped." I have had the honor to report for the information ol the Government, the ambuscade Mr. Carrington, chief surveyor, and myself, fell into on the 16th June, 1866, on our returning to Patea from Waingongoro, also Captain Newland and Mr. Kenrick's escape from an ambuscade between Hawera and Waihi. And also, I have reported the surveyors to have been fired upon. The murder of Trooper Haggerty, of the Wanganui Yeomanry Cavalry, I reported to the Defence Office, and 1 acquainted the Officer in command at Patea of this man's death directly I heard of it, hardly two hours after the occurrence took place, but no action was taken by him that I am aware of. Major Bocke states, that " should Major McDonnell require aid he was to refer to me, and that I " was to form a force of 150 men to co-operate with him." Major Bocke was not always to be found at a moment's notice, supposing his services were required, and by the time this force of 150 or 250 men were collected, or could have been collected, the enemy would have shifted their ground, and the opportunity for striking a blow lost. Again, Major Bocke states: " I hastened to assure Major McDonnell on his arrival that he " might rely upon our cordial co-operation at any moment." I understood Major Bocke that assistance would be rendered, if required, by the Imperial Forces, only in case we came across any strongly fortified position in which the enemy had taken up their abode, and for the attack and capture oi which position I might deem the force under my command too small for the purpose, in which case the Imperial Troops would support and agsist us. 24