is not nearly sufficient for the purposes of defence, and in these critical times nothing should be left to chance. At the present moment the Colony simply relies on the Fleet for its protection; whereas it ought to be able to provide for. its own effective defence. T suppose the War Alice is awake to the situation and will retain the King's Own Regiment here in addition to the corning Royal Welsh Pusiliers if imperative. Meantime I hear-the King's Own, who Were -to'leave in January, are now not likely to depart before the end of March.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.