ARTILLERY IN BUSH WARFARE.

Evening Post, Volume XXII, Issue 95, 20 October 1881, Page 3

ARTILLERY IN BUSH WARFARE.

Sib — Your correspondent, Richard Atkins, gives ub the benefit of his experience iv the use of artillery. Will you permit me to add mine ? I served in the first Taranaki war, and was present at several engagements in which artillery was used, and I can only oonfirm tho remarks made by Lieut. MoCrodie as to the use of the 24-pounder Howitzer. I have seen it and also the 68pounder used. The latter was next to useless, but tho howitzer is undoubtedly the best gun for the service, whether used against a pah or in shelling 1 the bush. For the later the sharpnol shell is very effective. I have also seen the Armstrong gun used, it may to a certain extent be uaeful with shell against a pah, but the Armstrong shell is a mere toy as comparod with the shrapnel of the 24 pounder Howitzer. As to tho Armstrong solid shot, it wonld bo simply waste of powder and shot. If I nrght venture an opinion as to the utility of artillery in bu3h warfare, I would certainly suggest having two or three Howitzera to assist the rifle men. It is true the guns conld not bo taken into the primeval bush, but there would be many opportunites of bringing them into action and clearing the buah of the enemy. Moreover, I know by experience, that the Maoris have a wholesome dread of the Howitzer. As regards the employment of the Artillery Volunteers, by all means send a halfbattery if we are unfortunately obliged to enforce law and order only by the burning of powder. I will yield to no man as to my knowledge of Maori tactics in warfare, or a3 to a knowledge of our volunteers, and without, for one moment, desiring 1 to diaparage the Imperial Artillery, I will say that our Artillery Volunteers are far before them for New Zealand service, for this reason — In the Imperial service the Artilleryattind to their ordnance and know nothing else ; although served out with carbines, they never use them trom one year'send to another ; whilst the Artillery Volunteers have a sufficient knowledge of their big gun drill for every purpose required in this colony, and have the double advantage of a thorough knowledge of the use of > their carbines, and with their practic3 with these weapons no one is better informed than myself. I have seen our New Zealand volunteers under all phases, and can safely predict that should events arise which would require their services, and the Government avails itself of the offers, our much-abused force will not disgrace itself. The same spirit whioh animated the volunteers in the late wars still exists. Moreover, there are within the ranks of the volunteer service at the preßent time many hundreds of men who are an ornament to the world aa rifle shots, and I pity any unfortunate Maori at 200 to 600 yards. I can only wish they were sent to the coast instead of A.C. recruits. I am, &0., Ex-Taranaki Volunteer.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE EVENING POST.