DRURY. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Monday, November 2.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XIX, Issue 1965, 3 November 1863, Page 3

DRURY. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Monday, November 2.

In entering upon another month, one is very apt to inquire — what will be the history of it? What events will have to be chronicled— -what successful achievements — what blunders will continue to be made — what further atrocities 'will be committed ? Or shall we have only to record matters that will tend to put down rebellion, and restore peace to our country. Last month nothing important was achieved; our losses were numerous. Let us hope that this month we shall have -to rejoice in continuous victories. Yesterday, the all important inquiry was, " Any news from the front P " " Has the attack on Meremere come off?" ' Some, whose hearing must have been reniarkably acute, vowed that early in the morning they distinctly heard the booming of cannon, which of course was an indication of operations having been commenced. But no intelligence had arrived up to last evening. This morning, however, there is something tangible. Meremere has been taken. A bloodless victory has been achieved. The place was evacuated. This is far from being information of a thrilling character. In fact such news must be humiliating. It is of no use to mention how the assertion has been repeatedly made that the rebels would not stand the ground. The experiment had to be tried. Every rebel, I believe, has escaped from Meremere. Full particulars of the evacuation will no doubt be given by your special correspondent. It is said the natives have -walked away to Paparata, to strengthen their position there. This may be the case, but it is more than likely that they will have scattered hither and thither, and they may now in a wholesale system attack and harass our small outposts. It now becomes evident that the regular stereotyped system of wai'fare must be laid aside with all the appurtenances of red-tapeism, officialism, &c, and an altogether different system adopted. It will come at last to a guerilla warfare. Hundreds of volunteers might be found who would be perfectly willing to go out in scouring parties ; and if they wore allowed to adopt their own mode of attackr they would soon come* across some of the rebels. There was some little excitement here last evening, caused by the arrival of four half castes at the hotel, who had come all the way from the Waikato, and who actually rode through Drury without being shot. However, they came not unobserved, and Sub-Inspector MaDonncll, who had been out all day on a small scoxiring expedition with some half-dozen men of the Defence Eorce, was not long, after he heard of the arrival of these visitors, in appearing in their midst and in putting to them various questions; and, to make things all right, in putting a guard over them. In a little while after up marched some 20 or 30 of the 18th. These Jhalf-castes were' no oijher than Gaze and three others who had come from the "West Coast, through Waiuku, with cattle, and they had brought down a herd of about 120, some of them in first-rate condition. It appears they had got a " pass" at Waiuku, but that did not deter Sub-Inspector MeDonnoll from escorting them down to Papakura. These same men were down, somo ■weeks ago with a large mob of cattle, which they disposed of to advantage. They returned to the West Coast, and this time they have been as far aa Eaglan, and have collected the cattle now brought down. It is not for me to say how these men can with safety go into the country of the rebels, or how they 1 can get hold of so many fine cattle. Some may think they are in league with the rebels, and that they may even bring cattle hero from Taranaki. It may be imagined also, that these men may act in the double capacity of spies and dealers in cattle. Of these things I can say nothing. At the same time, it seems rather singxxlar that men fresh from the country of the rebels can thus pass backwards and forwards without steps being taken to prevent them j which I dare say will now be done. According to their own confession, these cattle belong to Allen and to themselves. ; and they have a great many more 8 till on the run between Eaglan and the Waikato. I suppose it is all right, but the officers here seem rather dubious. Gaze and his companions were taken before Colonel Nixon, and I believe he cautioned them not to travel without proper passes. These men say they have seen no rebels during their travels ; although it is some five or six days since they loft liaglan. I presume they have had to travel through the territory, not of rebels, but of friendly natives. We are favoured with another beautiful day. The convoy went up as usual this morning. An inquest will be held this afternoon on the man who was drowned on Saturday.