HOW WAR AND WOE CAME TO WELLINGTON.

Evening Post, Volume LXXI, Issue 148, 23 June 1906, Page 10

HOW WAR AND WOE CAME TO WELLINGTON.

♦ THE INVASION OF 1908. SHAMEFUL DISORGANISATION OF THE COLONY'S DEFENCES. A TRAGIC STORY* (Spct&illy Written for the Post). Dear Colonel,— Naturally you desire a full account of the facta of our great disaster. Well, I cannot supply that for many reasons, but I can tell you the story as I know it, and I 6hould know it well, for fortune, or misfortune, placed me in intimate connection with many of the events. You, of course, know the country and the defences as well as most people, our weak places and our 6trong points, if any, therefore 1 need not spend timt> in describing them. Ifc wm impossible for mo to 6ee all; however, I saw enough, and will endeavour to tell you the story as I know it, connecting and filling in events so as to foyai a comprehensive outline of the whole as they happened. Remember as you read that it is not an attempt at a history, only a record of events as seen by one participator. The record of the shame and the glory is left for our future historians to make the best they can of. I will not go into how the war started, ov why the first attack was made on New Zealand ; you know as niui^of this as I do. Of course no deolaraiKn of war is now necessary. You will easily see that it was sound strategy to strike at us as one of the most vulnerable points of the Empire, Australia waa richer and more important, but the enemy's chance of success there wss problematical. New Zealand's weakness and dearth of essenful or real defence, except on paper, waa known; A raid there pressed with vigour promised sucoeea; and, at the same time, by the destruction of shipping, the destruction or seizure of coal supplies, and the formation of a base for hostile operations in the South Pacific, inflict a very severe blow on a large and important branch of the Empire's sea-borne commerce. It would also have the effects of diverting a considerable number of our warships into Australasian waters, and thereby weaken our strength at the real objective, India; however, as I said, you know all this, it has since been much discussed and written about. TOEJ FIRST BLOW. Early ip November tho colonial press published disquieting accounts of the unsettled, state of. European politics, of war and rumours of war, and the probability of England being involved; with the usual $cr»ppy bits, of information that the Imperial authorities werti strengthening the forces in India and elsewhere. One of the Wellington pa-* pera mentioned incidentally, I remember, that this would afford a good opportunity for New Zealand horse-dealers to try some shipments of remounts to India. In December, the papers which mentioned this, announced with pride that its prophecy waa about to be partly fulfilled, as it was credibly informed that a remount contractor from India had, arrived in the colony to purchase at once 800 or so 'suitable horses. Soon enough he arrived, an American named Stunner, a tall soldierly man. He called at our local War Office, and asked and waa accorded assistance. ,As time was money to him he made things "hustle," as he called it. After enquiries and inspection he decided to take all the horses from in and around Wanganui nod Manawatu. This gave great dissatisfaction to other districts, and the Premier was asked to use pressure -to get the favour spread. Stunner was, however, adamant ; it was his business, he reckoned, and he would get the horses where h« could get them cheapest and quickest; and, what was more, he would ship them from Wanganui as more direct — the steamer would be there shortly, she could lie off the heads, and the horses, if necessary, be lightered to her. Stunner and his three vets, and other assistants travelled up and down the Manawatu district between Wellington and Wanganui, besides visiting the Hutt Valley and around Wellington.* No grass grew under their feet, I can tell you, they were everywhere. In three weeks, with the assistance of the Stock Department, (he horses were bought and collected outside Wanganui ; a good lot of aqimals they were, hardy and all well broken. Stunner got them shod, guessed there would be no time whan they landed ; besides, he considered it &aved their hoofs on board. On the 20th December the transport Mameluke arrived oif the coast at Wanganui. Stunner boarded her, and on returning arranged for all the local lighters, launches, and lenders to assist in the immediate embarkation of the horses; but Ibis was delayed until high tide — about 1 o'clock next morning — the transport meanwhile having steamed closer in. The delay v<us a grievous disappointment to the ppj/ulace of the town, who are always on the look-out for any little excitement ; when told, Stunner laughed, and explained that he preferred shipping horses at night, anyhow ; they were more quiet and easier handled ; besides, spectators were a nuisance. The man certainly knew his business well. Shortly after midnight — morning of 21st December — the launches started for the Mameluke to land the grooms ■ and helpers and receive final instructions. After considerable delay the boats ra> turned, steaming up the river to the wharf. As they touched the piers hundreds of armed men poured over the bulwarks on 'to the quay. The few spectators about were knocked down or thrown into the river. The strangers, in instant obedience to guttural commands, formed into ranks, ajid, like a dissolving view, company after company moved off and vanished in the darkness of tho town ; a small number being left on the wharf. There was no confusion, hesitation, or noise. It was done as if it was daily routine, and each body knew its assigned work and post. N A NIGHT OF TERROR. This was tho fint act of the war. The act was not dramatic, it was not like the beginning of war. No pomp and circumstance — tho drama was to come later, the pomp and circumstance was apparent to other eyes than mine; and yet the want of ostentation, the quiet methodical precision, wero pechaps more- impressive thnn display. Ifl left with me the impression of strength, conscious strength, which could bent down and crush undiciplined valour and enthusiasm. It appears that the Post Office was seized without trouble, and of course all tele, graph wires cut. In less time than 1 take to write this, fires had started in various parte of the town, as if they only waited the signal to burst into Homes, then small explosions were heard, screams of women and noise of confusion, which swelled into a wild tumult that 1 cannot and need not describe, but which you can imagine. Whilst this waa going on quantities of saddlery and stores were rapidly landed from the tenders and piled in rows on the wharf or streets — men appeared loading horses, which were quickly accoutred] when about a hundred were saddled, the men leading them mounted with the easy swing that to]d of military training, formed into companies, k «nd, silently, stored pff—4o qxmu the.

bridge and spread fan-shaped down the roads to the south. In grim order and | precision company after compuny formed up and moved off; two small field guns were horsed and followed. We heard afterwards various estimates as to tho number of the men. Some put them down in hundreds, others in thousands. The correct number, it afterwards appeared, was eight hundred. The confusion in the town was meanwhile increasing; the fires grew and spread, their fitful light adding a ghostly and uncertain horror to a scene that was horrible enough without illumination. .Sometimes a woman, frantic with fear would emerge from the darkness, pause in the light, then turning flee again into the night, as if in her wild terror darkness was better than light, which only served to make the terrible facts , mow terrible still. The cries and screams that rose from all directions were frequently sharply punctuated by rifle-shots. Sometimes, high and shrill above the ories of distress, would be heard a wild yell of exultation, which for a moment seemed to freeze into silence tho dissonant notes of woe. It is daylight now, the destruction of property increases, particularly among the small shipping, which was fired and cut adrift. As the day dawns those of the invaders still in the" town collect into groups and move towards the bridge; here they meet the remainder of the horses, ready saddled, mount and ride on. Now a train of trucks, in the foremost pf which a Maxim gun is mounted, comes out of the station, shrieks in mockery of the cries from the town, steams across the bridge; stops for a moment; as it moves on the loud, sharp detonation of gun cotton is heard, and the finest bridge in the colony trembjes and sinks in ruins. A rocket soars up, and two in answer rise from the sea. The last of the mounted men have vanished, the train is out of sight, and the first act in the war closes, THE ADVANCE ON WELLINGTON. The sceno now shifts. Let me endeavour to explnin to you what was happening somewhat earlier lower down the coast. A low dark vessel steamed close in snore at Porjrua entrance, and three launches or cutters rowed up tho inlet. It is a lonely place, and no notice was token of the boats, or, if they were notjced, they would be taken to be only fisher-boats. Where the railway line crosses the inlet, the crows landed, and the boats put back, to reappear and land more men. The fishermen (mostly foreigners) and the few other inhabitants were- collected, and threatened with instant death if they tried to escape. One ot these since told me that he estimated the number of men landed at 300, There was one gun. The telegraph lines were at once cut, and in less than half an hour after landing, portion of the force was marching on the road to Pahautanui; the other, and much larger portion was moving along the road that leads to Wellington; a few, fifteen or twenty, were left in charge of the prisoners and the bridge ; on the latter operations wore at once commenced to allow of its being blown up if necessary. The smaller of the two bodies passed through Pahautanui and on to Belmont, (twenty miles), wher«> they arrived about 4 a.m. on the 21st December, anti commenced operations by cutting all wires, destroying tho Hutt railway bridge. Next the water supply pipes were blown up, and here and there bita of railway line; this work completed quickly and cautiously, there commenced the usual destruction of property, which I must pass over. Whether these men then fell back on Ngahauranga or not does not signify much, but early on the 21st December the fort there was seized, if not by those from Belmont, then by those who came via Johnsonvillo, which was occupied about 2 a.m. Some time during the early'morning the magazine at Kaiwarra and the ammunition therein was destroyed, probably by a detachment from Johnsonville, though some say that it was carried out by some foreigners from Wellington. At 6 a.m. on the 21st, the firebells of Wellington rang, attention being roused by the blaze at Petono and the Hutt. THE CITY ATTACKED FROM THE NOBTH. Wellington was, however, to get a still more rude awakening. The fart at Ngahauranga, suddenly woke up, and the big gun trained round on Wellington ; shot after shot, six altogether, fell in tihe city, chiefly near the Government Buildings and Post Office Fortunately this number must have exhausted the supply kept in the fort, for no more were fired. Several buildings about the Post Office were wrecked, fhe Government Buildings, being of wood, were 6oon aflame. These could have easily been extinguished at the first outbreak if the wateT supply had not failed. Taken altogether tho damage done was not so great as you would imagine. Yet) all these happenings were not sufficient to rouse Wellington, which still slept quietly on; tlje citizens are not! unused to firea and confusion ; the failure of the water supply chiefly affected a few of the cleanly, and those who heard the shots imagined it was only the volunteers practOsing. Gradually, however, bit by bit, rumours spread mysteriously and with increasing rapidity. These rumours were truly startling, incredible, terrible ! War had .come — come very near indeed. It was beyond comprehension; it was astounding. No news could be obtained from the North or WesU Coast 5 this in itself was suspicious. Presently it wbb rumoured, then confirmed, that the cable to the South Island was broken ; probably that to Australia as well. Then, like a thun-der-clap came the news that the magazine- at Kaiwarra and the ammunition had been destroyed. What terrible calamity would be revealed next? I have not) time or ability to describe to you the, wild panio that now set in. The strength of the invadeTS was not) known, and was therefore, greatly exaggerated ; whence came the blow was unknown ; even the very nationality of our enemies could only be conjectured. UNPREPARED ! Fugitives from Johnsonville and Hutt now arrived in town. All was Drue ; their news was, if possible, worse than the rumours. As most thinking people had guessed, our foe was Germany ; but whence the invaders had come or how they had landed was not known. The entire population poured into the sOreets, some with pale faces, awestruck and silent, others hurriedly talking, asking what it was, what was going to happen. No one seemed tfo be doing anything, for none knew what to do. The defenoe authorities, it was believed, were desirous of doing something, but what exactly they could not decide. They were considering. The fhfit action of theirs noticeable was the sounding of bugles ; this certainly added to the noise but not much tto the defence. The days of Gideon have passed. About 11 a.m. a considerable number of volunteers had assembled at the drillshed waiting for orders. The small permanent force was, of course, quickly available and ready to go to its appointed poste at the forlb some time later, but still with most commendable promptitude the Wellington Naval Artfillery had fallen in 5 both were after some defay conveyed by steamer to the foTto on tho south side of the harbour; but) although the men were there, there were no orders for them, no soheme, no one competent to direct, and, what was even stfill more serious, liltlo or no ammunition. Wh.cn the Garrison. Axtiilgig; manned x

the forts the field force in Wellington city consisted of: — One battery field artillery (three guns), one company field engineers, tlhe skeleton of one company of mounted infantry, and eight companies, of infantry. I should have s&v! that the Royal New Zealand Engineer- and>,the company of submarine engineer volunteers wentl to Shelly Bay at the same time as the artillery went to the forts. Besides those enumerated there were a company of good garrison artfillery at Petone now Without a fort or guns, antl a company of infantry at the Hutt, but neither of these companies was at present available f ? r '<*e defence of the city. In the town of Wellington there were roughly thus.-— Infantry (eight companies), 480 men ; field artillery, 80; field engineers 65mounted infantry, 30 ; total, 645— say 650 men; add to these 100 cadets, which were available at* a pinch, and perhaps 100 men might hereafter be obtained from Petone and Hutt. Several Maxims were stored in Wellington, but no suitable horses were immediately available. FORCING THE SITUATION. Just before noon a hurried and much garbled account of tlhe landing at Wanganui was received in town; it came by wire from near Palmerston North to a little station outside Wellington— Pahau-tanui-^-and, I tlhink, was brought in by a mounted man, who fortunately evaded, or rather did not run into, the German videttes iD the vicinity of Johnsonville. Tins news wag at firsti kept as close as possible, but gradually leaked out in even a more terrible form than truth. Some said that an army of eight or ten thousand had landed and was marching on Wellington; graphic and detailed accounts of the bloodshed and massacre at Wanganui were circulated and accepted, for the crowd, wild for information of any description, authentic or not, accepted everything and imagined worse. Unoontroll«r and panic-stricken, they were quickly becoming a dangerous mob. At present they only hindered any attempts that were • made for the restoration •of order. A large and angry crowd gathered in front of the Parliament Buildings where a meeting of the Cabinet was being held, at which the Commandant) was present. What was said or happened at that meeting has not, so far, transpired ; it will be interesting if ever jtf does. When first the volunteers assembled all the mounted men available and a few infantry scouts had been hurried to the northward ; some of tlhe former now came in with the information that the German outposts were on the hill between Khand all ah and Johnsonville ; further reports showed tfliat there was also a strong putpost near Ngahauranga. Later, more explicit information was obtained through residents that one body was at Johnsonville and another at the Hutib, but their strength could only be guessed at. A modicum of relief was now felt in town, the publio had time to calm somewhat, and a littffle order was seen to be evolving out of the chaos. Printed dips were isr sued by Government authorities from the newspaper offices, warning the public against panic, giving directions in case of fire and for the treatment of wounded, and advising that all women and children should be sent out of town, to Day's Bay, etc., for which purpose all suitable steamers were placed at the public disposal. Special constables were asked to volunteer for the maintenance of order. Altogether these bulletins were of a reassuring nature, and did much to restore tranquillity. At the same tiiine there were many disquieting rumours, especially as to the supply of ordnance and small-arm ammunition. Some of the large steamers in port put to sea, pre-. ferring the risk outuide to that inside the harbour. All hotels were closed by the authorities. DEFENSIVE MEASURES. Defensive measures up to the present taken were these: — Orders were sent across the harbour directing the Petone Garrison Artillery Volunteers and the Hutt Rifle Volunteers to assemble as many men as possible. Half of these were to endeavour to hold the Upper Hutt so as to keep the communication wit/h Wairarapa open, the other half to come to Wellington, via. Day's Bay. Six companies of infantry were thrown forward to hold the hills from Kaiwarra to Wadestown, with observation post* further advanced ; and thus hold in check any advance from Johnsonville and the Hutt. A field gun was placed, well masked in the scrub, on the hill over the first tunnel by Kaiwarra, commanding the Hutt and Crofton roads, the second gun was on the Wadestown-road a little to the east of Rhodes's house ; the third gun and two companies of infantry and the field 1 engineers were in ' reserve in the city ; the mounted infantry were scattered as scouts. Much delay occurred before getting the artillery into position, owing to the difficulty in procuring ammunition. Nobody at first knew where it was to be found, and in any case the supply was said to be very limited. I must not forget to say that the senior cadet corps — the College — mustered well, and the lads were placed in the forts, • as no infantry could be spared to garrison them ; afterwards these were strengthened by the Royal New Zealand Engineers and the submarine mining volunteers, as there .was no means or time to lay the mine field. Now, having given this rough detail of the disposition of our forces in Wellington, I must. go on with events, which we're occurring quickly. The General, of course, assumed command and held a conference or council of war with come of the senior volunteer officers, the Premier presiding. This council was a mistake ; but of that hereafter. There was much difference of opinion ns to what was best to do. The Premier, it would seem, was for an immediate attack ; the Commandant was for waiting. His argument was that the enemy was where he could be held but might not be so easily dislodged. This, in hia opinion, was not the full or real attack, therefore ha advocated waiting developments. In the meantime, the northern invasion might be held in check — at any rale, we would presently got full and more accurate information. Time would bring us troops from Wairarapa and Napier, and they would bring at least some ammunition with them j at present we could not afford to waste a single round. Most of the officers present favoured the Premier's view "It was ridiculous that the place should be 'held up' by a mere handful of wen." However, it does not matter to ns what took place ; what matters much, the attack was ordered. A BRUSH WITH THE INVADERS. Tho infantry already in position advanced four companies much extended, and two companies in support ; the two companies in reserve in the city were advanced to the old position, protecting the two gun- ; the third gun joined the attacking K/rce via the Crofton-ioad. Two Maxims were also taken. The few mounted men at disposal were used as scouts. Not being a Russell or a Forbes, 1 cannot give you any realistic description of the Bret engagement ; and as I am not a New Zealand war correspondent I will not endeavour to imagine )t. The attacking force descended into the gully, crossed the railway line, and ' climbed the opposite bonk above the Croftonroad. _ When they come to the crest of the hill a few shots from long range fell amongst them, and ono or two slight casualties occurred, just enough to make them careful. Our scouting was good and cautious, but the enemy was not to be drawn, so tho advance was continued through Crofton and along the road 19 ,KhwaaUah, Here it wu wscejt&ined.

from residents that the Germane were now holding the next ridge-, the one between there and Johnsonville, and preeently our scouts located them. It was a nasty position, and well chosen; a long steep but smooth surface all theway to the top, where could be seen slight but effective field works. Our advance stopped whilst the position was reconnoitred; as this was being carried out a gun from the ridge in front opened fire- on. our supports with shrapnel. Our gun, replied, but' apparently could nob locate its adversary, which *ras -well bidden, and now turned its attention on ous, which was quite exposed, and after ft few rounds was forced to retire, as it was completely outranged. Thb enemy's gun was, I should judge, a. 12-pounder quick-firer of the Elswick type. The advance .was now sounded, one company of the filing line beiu'g sent to the left with orders to endeavqur to outflank the position, where the i road passes 5 tho other three oompanies made a frontal attack, advancing by rushes. There was no cover and no enemy visible to fire at— • it was plain madness to attempt to win the summit with, the force at our disposal. The fire from the ridge was terrible; after two rushes pur front attack waited for the company on, the left flank to make an impression, but the only effect was for the tire to get hotter and more deadly as the range was picked np ; it seemed to search, every ( yard of ground- as it swept down like' rain or hail before angry gusts of wind, and yet only occasionally a grey-coated form could be s&an on the hill-top. Our fire, which was useless, soon ceased altogether ; then canue the order to retire. At the bottom of -the elope a, slight dip in the ground gave welcome cover except from the shrapnel. Soon a further retirement was ordered, and it became apparent that the attempt was to be abandoned — why, was not then known. The supports; , were hurried back whence the* ,'came, and when the priginal position was reached, the reserves which had been left there were disappearing about' a mile off, ATTACKED FROM THE SOUTHWEST. What had happened? We soon heard. It was this : — Just after the first rush had been made an orderly galloped up with orders for the colonel to retire at once. A message had come from Makara that) a man-of-war was landing men and guns there. This, too, at a time when all our available field force was engaged. There was nought to do but to recall the attack while it could yet be done, and change the tactics from aggressive to defensive. This was about ft p.m. on the 21st December. Four companies of infantry were moved to Karori, and four eventually occupied the position first taken up. These, with the help of civilian labour, commenced to construct entrenchments. The engineers and submarine mining volunteers were withdrawn from the forts and placed in reserve near the quarries overlooking the Karori Cemetery and Wadestown. The third gun was sent to Karori, where I>he infantry were posted on the high saddle on the road to Makara just after you pass Karori ; the gun was also placed there, commanding the road as it winds up the valley. The mounted men filled in the gap between the Bwo forces, with their centre near the cemetery. 1 cannot describe the confusion and consternation that recent events had caused in Wellington ; the city was delixous with frightJ. The populace was getting savage, and the first ominous growb were heard ; business men and property holdere were nearly frantic — there was nothing but xuin in view. The criminal class, as usual, broke free from, ordinary restraint, indulging in incendiarism, indecency, and burglary. Excited crowds besieged the Ministers' houses, demanding, too late, that something should be done. The Defence Office, however, had not been idle all this time. Orders had been sent across the harbour and thence by wire to Wairarapa-for Dhe mobilisation of all troops at the Upper Hunt and the collection of every available cartridge. Similar orders were sent to Napier, with the exception that only one half of the troops were to be moved to the Upper Hutt. Arrangements" were also made for the transport of men across the harbour to Wellington if necessary. The arrival of these reinforcements in Wellington would, it was computed, take two days at tlhe least, provided there was no resistance or obstruction on the way, Urgent demands were also sent to Auckland for ammunition, a certain amount per steamer to Wellington, but the bulk via, Napier, thence by tfrain and transport. SHAMEFUL DISOEGANISATION. More detailed accounts from Makara showed that the vessel seen landing men and guns there was not a man-of-war, only a transport, probably the Mameluke; the number of men landed was about four hundred, with two guns — twelve-pounder quickfirers most likely. There is no use my endeavouring to depict how the night °f 21st December was spent in Wellington. Zola himself could not find words adequate. The .weather • was as bad as Wellington could produce — boisterous, cold, and wet. The want of arrangements for the feeding and comfort of the men on duty was, to- use Clio • mildest word, scandalous ; in fact, their wants seemed quite forgotten or neglected by the district) officer, who had no staff trained to assist him, and now there was no one competent to organise this important branch of defence. The men had long been actually ii> want of food before the official bungling produced any result; then they had to seek refuge in a contract with a civilian at so much per head per day. This only met half the difficulty, for there was no mode of iS»J suing tlie rations, so they ve«- ■scrambled for — but I have not time to criticise. Some men got ted, and some, I fear, did not. Blanket* and greatooats 'were lacking ; eventually civilian aitiqles were supplied and served out t)o every second man. Of course there were complaints, loud and just ones, but now nobody listened to them. How different from the old Easter and other camps you can remember ! Morning came at lasti, but the hope that generally comes with it did not come. Instead came the news that a German cruiser was lying off Island Bay, her boats being lowered and manned. BLOODY WORK AT FEILDING. Now I roust again leave you in suspense while I go back towards Wanganui. After the train left Wanganui it went slowly towards Palmerston. It is well here to pay that it) carried fifty men, one Maxim, and a large supply of ammunition, and certain supplies of food and horse-feed, which Stunner had purchased and arranged for delivery at AYanganui railway station. The train arrived at Palmerston at 9 a.m. on the 21st December without opposition. Tho station was seized, wnes cut, and tho station- ; master was sent with a message to the police nnd Mayor that) the town was held for H.I.M. the Kaiser, that it would bo -burnt, but that life would not be taken unites the invaders were interfered with. Volunteers must surrender their arms within an hour, private residences would not be destroyed where possible. Several "of tlhe principal citizens,, as w«ll as the Mayor and local member, were afterwards taken into custody as hostages. I don't know whetiher the German commander meant it for sarcasm, but he liberated the latter almost at once. The banks wene visited and plundered of all their gold and notes, then in a deliberate and iSWte-anUo aaaaaer tho -work of spoliation

commenced.. By midday the business part of the town was a heap of smoking cinders and fallen bricks. During the early afternoon the mounted men arrived at Feilding. Here a few of the rifles were hurriedly got together and a few rounds of ammunition were issued ; tha resistance, however, was only spasmodic, for it was swept aside in a moment). Still to the rifles of Feilding belongs the honour of firing the first shot in the defence of their country. The town paid tlhe penalty ; for, roused by the loss of a comrade or two, the civilisation made in Germany rubbed off, and the invaders gave rein to their brutal lust for destruction and took their fill. The town was soon in flames, tihe streets thronged with panic-fitvicken people, who were ruthlessly fired into in every street where resistance was offered. (To be concluded next week.)