EMBARKATION OF TROOPS FOR THE THAMES.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XIX, Issue 1977, 17 November 1863, Page 3

EMBARKATION OF TROOPS FOR THE THAMES.

Sei/doji if ever did the Queen-street wharf present such an animated appearance as it did yesterday, at the muster for the Thames expedition. To Aueldandcrs the event must have beeu_Btriking enough, but tojatrangers, the now arrivals by the 'Holvellynf for instance, we must have appeared an exceedingly warlike people. For the benefit of those at a distanco, wo may picture the scene. A pier, conventionally called the Queen-street wharf, stretching out into the harbour for nearly a fourth of a mile thronged with Waikato, and regular troops, with their bayonets glittering above them in the sunsbino, of which we have had but a scanty supply of late ; the ' Miranda,'man-of-war, lying across the end of the pier ; the colonial gun-boat 'Sandfly' puffing away at the side of it, as if the whole weight of the Maori rebellion was supported by her ; the ' Corio' steamer a little way off, ready to take her sbare in the transport service ; heaps of baggage lying about in all directions ; " blue jackets " as nimble as deer and as busy as bees doing a bit of land service, and shewing how clever they were at unloading baggage carts, to the intense admiration of themselves and the lookers on ; naval volunteers inarching with a fiddler for a band ; and the all-curious public winding and wending their way through the maze of blue-shirted soldiers, muskets and baggage, and occasionally somewhat inconvenienced by the authoritative command of 'move on' or 'move back.' Such was the appearance of the wharf yesterday. It was indeed quite a feature in the warlike course of events; and although the more interesting part of the subject the object of the expedition, can be only generally and imperfectly known, there was sufficient IStt to conjecture to impart to the embarkation of yesterday a very lively interest. The vessels engaged to convey the troops, were H.M.S.S. 1 Miranda,' and ' Esk,' the Colonial gunboat ' Sand Fly,' and the ' Corio,' besides the schooner 'Jessie' and some cargo boats. The numbers which embarked were as follows: — 250 of the 12th regt, 200 of Iho 70th, and 200 of the Ist Waikato Militia, in the ' Miranda,' under Minor Mould; 50 of the Defence Forco, ana 50 of the Sappers, with horses and baggage, in the ' Corio,' under Captain Walmaley ; and CO of No. 1 company and 40 of No. 2 company of naval volunteers in the ' Esk,' under the command of Captain Dald}' ; the total force, which was some 850 men, being under Colonel Caroy, of the 18th Regiment. The ' Esk,' ' Miranda,' and ' Corio,' got away at Q o'olook p.m.; the ' Miranda' leading, the • Corio ' following, and the ' Esk ' bringing up tho rear. The 'Sandfly returned to the hulk to coal, and left about 8 o'clock in the evening. The schooner ' Jessie ' and four cargo bouts, the ' Diamond,' ' Harrier,' ' Dandy," and * Sydney,' were chartered by the Government to convey stores. The cargo boats got awiiy. but the ' Jessie ' had not sailed last night. Unfortunately, the weather was far from favourable for tho oinbnrkation ; and what with the rain and thunder and lightning after night-fall, it must have been still more unpleasant. The flotilla was to anchor all night in the bay at Waiheki,

Parliamentary,— Tho Legislative Council sat yestculi\y, Tho two most un|ioit.iiit subjects under oonsiiler.itinn weie the Suppression of tlie Rebellion Bill, and the Now Zealand Settlements Bill. The former was lead a third tuno and parsed; and the latter, after much discussion, was read a. second time, passed through committee without matenal amendment, and repoi ted, '1 he third reading is an ouler for to day,

Tjm Wiutheh.— "When are we to liavo fine weather?" hab beon the oft iepe,ited question for theList two or three weeks, dining which nioio lain has fallen and uioie wintry weather been experienced than in the pievioiw four or five months Surlily the seasons are reversed. Now nbovo all other times fine weather is wanted ; for with the deluging rain we have had very recently, camp life must bo almost unbeatable. We hope soon to have to congratulate those living oil the tented field upon the return of summer.

The MiMTAnv in Auckland.— Tha appearance of some bundled of tho military and Waikato betfcleis marohmg through Auckland on their way to the Queen-street What f, where they wei c to emba.ik for tho Thames,— was quite an event yesteulay, and all turned out to see our gallant defenders. They appealed travel stained and probably fagged, having come iv fiom Otahuhu that morning, w hioh, although a short distance from her«, is in this weather, ow-ing to the sfcnto of the roads a good march. They \viU probably have moie comfortable quarters on board the ' Esk and the ' Miranda 1 than they have had for some time ; or than they will have piobably fur some time to come if this weather lasts.

Wesley an Missions — On Sun<lay last eermoni in aid of the Wenleyau Missions were deh\ered at tlie Wesleyac Methodist chapeli in the Auckland district, and collections made aftei wards. The total sum received has not yet heen asccitained, the distiict treasurer having revived up to last evening the mini of £179, and contributions fioin several snuroei having yet to come in. A publio meeting was to have been held last rvenlng in the Wesleyan Chapel, High-xtreet, when tuldreHei were t3 be delivered by several ministers and f i iends : but owing to the wet and boisteious we.Uher at the time of the commencement of proceeding?, the meeting was postponed until Thutmlay evening at the same hour. Erring Srambn. — Yesterday afternoon four sailors belonging to the ship ' Helvellyn,' recently arrived from England, were handed over to the custody of the police, chaiged with having wilfully damaged cargo whilst on the voyage to Auckland. They had been placed in irons for .some time previous to their arrival here. They aie to be brought up this morning at the Resident Magistrate's Court. Thk Tjioops by tub 'Himalaya' — The 50th I'cgt paimled last evening, at live o'clock, in the Albert Barrack square, am I the men were supplied with fifty rounds of cartridge each. It is expected the regiment will watch at eight o'clock tins morning for Otahuhu. Iniila.— The iusunection in the Puujaub was unsubdued. Large bodies of troops were sent

against insurgents. Japan.— Admiral Kupfer and the fleet bad destroyed the city of K.igosini. in Japan, and had taken the castle of Prince Satskma. and captured two steamers. Our loss was five officers and eighty men, including Captain Willmot, who, with the commander of his ship, was killed by the same shot. 11. M.S. 'Himalaya.' — 'this magnificent steamship anchored in Hobson's Bay shoitly befoie two p.m on Monday, November 2nd, en route for Auckland, New Zealand, having on hoard H.M. 50th " Queen's Own " Regiment. She is one of the finent specimens of inaiine aichitectnre ever constructed, while her accommodation is unsurpassed by any vessel afloat. She was originally the pioperty of the Peninsular and Oriental Company, and la cel'-brated for the effective service she rendered throughout the Ciimean and late Indian wars During the former slie was purchased for a very Luge sum by the Imperial Government. As an instance of her sea-goiug qualities, her voyage from Portsmouth to Cape Good Hope occupied twenty eight days, and thence to Colombo nineteen days, and here in twenty-two days ; making in all sixty-nine days j her passage from the latter pott being mads entirely under steam. Captain Lacy reports having experienced light winds throughout the passage until Hearing Cape Otway, on the Ist instance. She passed through Pint Philip Heads at a quarter past nine am. on Monday. She liafl called at this port for coal, and and will take in between 700 and 800 tons, and proceed with all despatch to Auckland. She has on board the following :— 37 officers, 39 sergeants, 43 corporals, 21 drummers, 681 privates, 57 women, 87 children. — Melbourne Argus. Her Majesty's splendid steam transport ship ' Himalaya,' (originally the property of the P. and O. Company) arrived in Hob^on's Bay early on Monday ofternoon, Nov. 2, on her voyage from Colombo to Auckland, with, her Majesty's 50th Regiment on board. The ' Himalaya#s«.iled from Colombo late on the night of the 10th 'October, and made the run to this port (without touch n% at Albanby) in twenty two days. During the whole of that period she was tinder steam, and had flue weathnr until she approached Cape Otway. By the kindness of Major Tupper and the officers of the 50th, wo have London and Paris journals of the 10th September, with fifteen day's laccr news than was brought by the laxt mail, and eight days' later than our brief telegraphic message vid Alexandria. The ' Himalaya' is a magnifi cent uliip of 3,500 ton» bur then, and 700-liorse power. Sho is uuder , the command of CaptauvLgoy. — Mel* bwrne Enmintr, * - > s9tr'