THE NELSON VOLUNTEERS.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 969, 15 August 1868, Page 3

THE NELSON VOLUNTEERS.

(Prom the ' Wanganui Herald,' August 5.) The Nelson volunteers who for some days past paraded our streets, waiting for conveyance to the Front, were to have embarked last evening at 6 p.m. on board the Woodpecker, for Patea, but did not put in an appearance at the appointed hour. However, between 7 and 8 o'clock, Lieut.Colonel Gorton, with the assistance of Lieut. -Colon el Reader and all he could call to his aid, managed to get the men and their immediate commanding officer, Ensign Wrey, on board, and the little vessel started on her voyage. She had not proceeded more than seven or eight miles when the volunteers, according to the statement of the captain ofthe steamer, commenced breaking up cargo, upon which he quietly changed his course and returned to Wanganui, his intention not being perceived until the vessel was actually in the river. He landed and reported what had taken place to Lieufc.-Colonel Gorton, and that officer went on board, and induced Ensign Wrey and about half-a-dozen of the most prominent of the rioters to accompany him on shore, when Mr. Wrey was at once handed over to the civil power on the charge of aiding and abetting in a felony. Lieut. Gudgeon was then sent for and put in charge ofthe remainder of the volunteers, and the vessel once more proceeded on her course. As far as we can make out, these are the actual circumstances of the case, but no doubt more will come out on Ensign Wrey's trial to-morrow. We aro informed by an eye-witness, and one upon whose word we can rely, thatthe men complained bitterly that thoy were forced on board without being armed, with only one blanket each, and several of them without a boot or shoe to their feet. It certainly does strike us as strange, and it must also strike every member of the community provided with the usual quantity of common sense, that whenever Lieut-Col. Gorton has had control over any body of colonial troops, I whether as regards their movements or equipment, something is sure to go wrong, and both officers and men leave his command with their military ardour considerably abated, and%ith a deeply rooted feeling of disgust for the colonial service. I (From the " Times," Autjusfc 8.) Resident Maoistbate's Court. — Major Edwards, R.M., presided yesterday in the i*oom of Mr. Buller, who is absent on circuit. Ensign W. L. Wrey, the officer in command of the volunteers lately arrived from Nelson, was brought up charged by Captain Morris of the p's. Woodpecker, with aiding and abetting in broaching cargo on the 4th instant. In the absence of Captain Morris, who proceeded to Patea with volunteers on Tuesday night, the case was remanded until this morning. The accused was admitted to bail on the application of his solicitor, Mr. Keon. Since the above was published, we (Evening Post) learn from a passenger by the s.s. Wanganui, that Lieutenant Wrey had been discharged from custody, and ordered to pay the expenses incurred by witnesses or otherwise, and that he will have to leave the service.