AT THE FRONT. (FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT) Queen's Redoubt, September 18.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XIX, Issue 1928, 21 September 1863, Page 3

AT THE FRONT. (FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT) Queen's Redoubt, September 18.

The escorb did .not start this morning aa was expected. This was owing to the state of the road, I believer < The mounted orderlies did not arrive the previous night, and two orderlies, accompanied by Major Mould, K.E., started at four a.m., from tho redoubt, to discover the cause of their dotontion. It was ascertained that a tree had been blown down by the storm, across the fourth bridge, at "Williamsons clearing, destroying the bridge, and compelling the orderlios to remain until daylight enabled them to get their horses safely across the obstruction. The necessary repairs, are being done to tho bridge ; and so perfect havo been the arrangements for tho supply of the troops that ho mconvonienco will bo felt at tho total suspension of tho escort service until everything along the line has been made safo for the trausit of stores. Tins fnct, taken in connection with the circumstanco {hat few escorts havo lately started, speaks highly of the efficiency of the commissariat establishment in the colony. I availed myself of a slight improvement in the weather to cross to tho outposts on the Whanpamarino. The day was showery, but by no means unfavourable for out-door exercise. The general appearance of the position has been greatly changed since I last visited it, and wrote a description, pearly all the bush has been cleared off to tho margin of the Whangamavino, and a stockade of unusual strength and carefully finished erected on the water front of the bluftV This is by far the strongest post I have been in during tho war, and it does credit to the engineers and troops employed in its erection. The central ridge and spurs have been denuded of their fern covering; any attempt by the enemy to surprise tho stockade would therefore expose him to a destructive fire on all sides, without the chance of shelter. Tho 14th still occupy the Whangamarino. A detachment of tho 12th, under the command of Captain Williams, is posted in a small redoubt, about 600 yards inland on tho ridge, dofending tho land approach to tho stockade. The bush and fern have likewise been well cleared off at this post, and tho fern has also been burnt off in convenient places along tho ridge to tho Kohcroo camps. "While I was at the Whangamarino, the enemy stole up from the Meremere works, along the scrub and flax cover, and opened firo on the 14th working party in the bush, close to the Whangamarino stream. They fired ten or a dozen shots, fortunately without effect. One of their bullets, which must havo been fired almost vertically, passed over the tents of tho 14th camp, on the northern dip of the bluff, and fell in the gully beyond. The fire was almost instantly returned by a portion of tho troops, and the men were got under arms to repel any attack, if necessary. An Armstrong gun was quickly wheeled into position, and a shell discharged, which burst in the place where it was reported the natives had taken cover after firing on the working party. About a dozen of the enemy had boon seen retreating from the near swamp into the fern. This wns their first appearance at Mpremerc in a hostile attitude for a fortnight. They are observed coming back to their lines, but do not show themselves as formerly. T suppose they mustered courage to come down and liavo a shot at the waterguard, on observing a bullock team leaving the position for Kohcroe, in the belief that tho Armstrong guns had been taken away. If so, they must havo been greatly chagrined at their miscalculation. The steamer 'Avon.' having had tho noccssaiy repairs done to her machinery, proceeded up the river yesterday to tho Whangamarino. Owing to the heavy rains, tho Waiknto and Maungatawhiri are higher now than they havo been at any time during the season. It is to be regretted thnt advantage cannot be taken of this circumstance. The " triendly" pa at the Bluff has been LnlLCrtl rlo\% 11, tlUll l"Lv uml'itCO all? Ills i*.*^..- «.„«,.. neighbours of the troops. Kukutai's natives liave boon sent down the river to their own place. They arc still "friendly," and enjoy the reward of their disinterested attachment to the Europeans, ( „ September 19. , Nothing strange this morning. There was a punishment parade to-day, one man being (logged for beins; drunk at his post as sentry. It is a matter of regrot that flogging is so frequent, but while drunkenness prevails in the army to such an extent as renders men iucapable of doing their duty, this degrading punishment must be resorted to. Imprisonment would be no punishment in the field. It would simply enable men to escape from active service for a time, and there is in every army a small proportion who would rather do what would ensure their confinement than encounter the hardships of a campaign. Discipline must be preserved at all risks, and if men knowingly incur tho punishment of the lash, there is no middle course to be adopted. The weather is showery and uncomfortable. The bush clearing party are still engaged at the Pokeno bush.