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country and aptitude for operations in the forest. At present, however, this valuable arm of the service is paralysed by the pressure of 2000 persons, requiring protection in an unfortified place of large extent, the defence of which necessarily falls to a great extent on the militia.

In order to consider the financial side of the question some period must be assumed for the duration of the disturbance, and it will probably be right to assume that period at the maximum, which the resources of the hostile natives, and the probability of aid from the Imperial Government would allow. It is hardly likely in the worst event, the occasion, namely, of aid from the North to the war party, that hostilities can be kept on foot without intermission for beyond a year. The natives, shut up in the forest by an overpowering force in the open land, and harassed by irregulars in their retreats, can hardly be supposed to have subsistence for a longer time than twelve months. Taking this then as the limit of the war, and (what can hardly be hoped,) that the number of persons dependent on Government for support does not increase, there will be an expenditure of at least sixpence per head per diem, on 750 persons, or about £7000 in the year for rations, clothing and sundries. Further sums, hardly to be estimated below £1000, will be required for rent and other expenses attendant on quartering these people, giving thus a total of £8000 for the maintenance of 750 persons, whose presence is a source of disability and weakness.

The number of families now on rations is 177; of these 79 number from 4 to 10 children each, with a total of 436, and an average of 5½ to each family. On the present scale and price the rations to these families average 2s. 8d. per diem cost, or 1s. 1d. more than the pay and rations of a militiaman. It is probable that the Provincial Governments of the southern island would be willing to offer facilities to these families, sufficient to induce them to remove, if the heads of the families could be released from their militia duties. The crowded town would thus be relieved by the egress of 594 individuals, and the sum saved in pay, rations, and clothing, would be not less than five shillings per diem on each head of a family, a sum sufficient to enable His Excellency to raise by voluntary enlistment in this or the Australian colonies, an equal number of men free from incumbrances.

With respect to the 1400 persons still to be protected, it is probable, that if the Government should charter vessels for the purpose, a large proportion might be induced, by low fares and free passages, to remove for a time; and although the Government might be chargeable with rations for a large part of these, that cost would not be increased much by the removal, and the expense of their transport must be set off against the advantage of mobilising the whole militia force.

Of the 1400 last named, about 250 are in families not exceeding five persons, and averaging about 2½ souls in each family. These and some others must in such case have free passage and rations, wherever their temporary asylums may be. A small number would prefer staying in the place. The remainder, from 700 to 1000, might be expected to be provided for without Government aid.

One more point remains to be referred to—the effect of the presence of these persons on the demand for provisions. It may be assumed that the price of flour, and other articles not perishable, would be unaffected by their presence or absence; but the item of meat must be greatly advanced in price, by the increase of numbers in the district; and when it is considered that the non-military part of the inhabitants, and that portion solely engaged in their protection, are something like three-fifths of the whole number that can be expected to be in the district for some time, putting the reinforcements expected at the highest, this point assumes great importance.

To recapitulate—Health and public morals require the removal of a large part of the women and children, before long, to some more suitable quarters. Financially, the removal of such part for a time, and the full liberty of permanent removal to some portion, would probably prove a gain rather than a loss. In a military point of view, such a removal would be equivalent to the addition of the whole militia to the effective force in His Excellency’s hands.

On these grounds the Provincial Government thinks, that unless a thorough and immediate occupation of the open districts can be reckoned on, and the town and its neighbourhood rendered safe, without the anxious and harassing service now needed for its security, it would be advisable to take action for the general removal of the population incapable of military service, and they desire to be informed—

Whether His Excellency would authorise them to provide free and reduced passages for such persons as are not enrolled in the militia or volunteer force, or engaged in necessary public service, to such places as may be suitable in the Southern Island.

Whether His Excellency would order the discharge of all persons from the militia