PUKEKOHE.-PROPOSED FORMATION OF VOLUNTEER CORPS. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) April 24.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXV, Issue 3672, 26 April 1869, Page 4

PUKEKOHE.-PROPOSED FORMATION OF VOLUNTEER CORPS. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) April 24.

Fbiday, 23rd instant, was the day appointed to enrol the militia of the ahove dmtriofr. M^jor Lusk was present at Mr. Godkin's farmhouse, the place appointed. A deputation from East Pukekohe waited upon that officer, and stated the result of the late public meeting; — that the settlers were willing and desirous to join a volunteer corps. The major was perfectly satisfied, and told the deputation that he would be happy to assist them ia the formation of such a force. He stated that, if the number of thirty-seven could be obtained, a volunteer company might be formed. As the deputation represented a huye number of settlers, he said he would allow those people till uexfc Thursday to join the volunteer force, failing to do which they would be compelled to joia the militia, or be prosecuted. A meeting was held in the church on Friday evening, to hear the report of the deputation, which was quite satisfactory to the minds ot those liable to be called out. It was stated moat distinctly that all those who desire to join a rolunteer force must be present at the church next Thursday evening, at six o'clock, or have to join the militia the next day. It is to be hoped, therefore, that there •will be a good muster. A majority of the young men in the district are whbful of forming a cavalry corps. Others in the neighbourhood of Drury and of the South .Road appear to be of the same mind. It might be as well theiefore for all to meet together at Pukekohe on Thursday evening. To establish a cavalry corps, 27 members, including the officers, are required, while 37 are required for a volunteer infantry corps. It is evident that to secure the formation of both these 5 large number must enroll themselves. Of course, volunteers from other districts will be perfectly at liberty to join the Pukekohe force. The boundary line of the Waiuku district, already published in the Sotjthben Cross, ia a mile to the west of the Great South Road, and running parallel with it — lMther a peculiar boundary. Why not have made the road the boundary 1 However, it will be for the inhabitants to find centres, and there to establish volunteer bodies, that it, if they wish to escape the militia. It is probable that Drury will be the rendezvous for a troop of cavalay, if formed, while at the Pukekohe church, at the Bombay settlement, and at Pokeno, a riflo volunteer corps may be establishe '. Placards are now posted up in the district, giving a final notice to those liable to serve.

Debts. — Thii is a matter about which I think the world very unjust. If a poor, struggling man or woman, with no income to speak of, owes a few pounds to the baker or the butcher, people who hear of it are righteously indignant, and often make the circumstance »n excuse to cat the poor embarrassed person, or at least to cruelly lacerate his feelings by severe platitudes on honesty, &c. But if a man fails for, thousands, and shows by his schedule that hi* living has oust an immense figure, yet, if he manages to retain bis furniture and equipage, &c, and sufficient money to keep up his former btandiag in the world, lie is soon as great a man aa ever he was. Only a few who have lost heavily by him, and feel the weight of his dishonesty, fall out of the circle of his acquaintance ; otherwise there is bo change. If he is foplish enough to fail empty-handed, and lose his 'prestige and position— if he makes a vulgar failure, I like a common man, is sold to tha door, and has to becrin the world again — that is quite a different affair. Folks certainly may aay, «j« j Ah I poor fellow j I knew him once, 1 ' but no one think* of koovriug him now. Is this a fair way to treat the matter ? or is it not rather offering a premium for dtxhonestj ? Is it not [ equal to Saying, " There is no Harm in being a rogue, provided you are a big rogae ; it is beini? a little oae thdfc u the sitist POXILY Pwntf. , , BrJgham Young fixes the proper length of ladies'