PUKEKOHE. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

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

PUKEKOHE. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

_, , , , , September 19. The, past <week has been a most evefitftil one, This distnot has been swarming with rebels, and destruction and plunder have been, carried on most effectively. Houses have been bnrnfc to the ground ; animals have been shot j in fact ruination to the settlers has attended the presence of the wretches in this locality. On Monday last the stockade proved a sure defence, the volunteers for upwards of two hours having been enabled to keep the rebels at a distance, or they might have all fallen victims to Maori vengeance. ' , The volunteer force is now about to bo disbanded. As the cattle belonging to the settlers are to be driven down the country, as the homesteads are destroyed, what attraction is there now for settlers, and what occasion for remaining in the district. Pukekohe is now to be a military post. Though the volunteers and special constables have not beon fairly treated in regard to pay, having had to wait up to the present time without receiving a shilling, yet now at the winding up of the affair, the War Minister has behaved most liberally, and given great satisfaction to these parties. It seems after all that has been said about the matter, that as length the volunteers are to have ss. a day, tho special constables 61., and the corporals Is. n day additional. Various extras have aho been allowed, which were not expected. Sergeant Perry, who on Monday last behaved most manfully, will, it is supposed, get a commission, and he is empowered to raise a body of men for settlement in tho Waikato district. This fine and feitilo district is one among many that will be ruined by the present war. Colonel Nixon and his strong force have taken up head quarters at Mr. JBurfcts, from whence they will proceed in different bodies 1 presume throughout this district. I expect Jackson's corps will join, and surely with such a " column " wo may hope speedily to hear of some commotion in the 'ranks of the enemy.