TARANAKI.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 175, 20 May 1864, Page 5 (Supplement)

TARANAKI.

TITE IiT.CV.yV DISASTEH AT AHFAITP. The earnest attention and discussion which tho late fat d encounter has given rise to in this and tile neighbouring provinces, induces us to give a brief, though, we believe, correct reference to a garrison order issued by Colonel Warrc, and dated April 10, in reference to that catastrophe. Alter having made a thorough enquiry, the commanding officer expressed Ids regret that the lives sacrificed on that occasion was.the result of a neglect of necessary caution and over confidence. In referring to the death of Captain Lloyd, Colonel Warrc expresses (lie sense of loss sustained by the army in the death of that officer, and states that lie refrains from comment on the conduct of Captain Lloyd out of consideration for the feelings of those who mourn Ids loss. in addressing the survivors “who should have stooci by him,” and the troops generally, the commanding officer warns them that he will visit with severest punishment any deviations from the regulations of the service, and reminds officers of the imperative necessity of placing advance, rear, and flank guards when on the nnrch—and cautions them from congregating while on active service in the field, to which latter cause he attributes the late lamentable occurrence. Colonel Warrc, after honourable mention of Captain Page, Sergeant Bentley, Corporal Stokes, Private Tomblms, and others, who kept by Captain Lloyd, dismisses the subject with an assurance to, those addressed, that in all eases it is much bettor to advance than retire, and dwells on the indelible disgrace resting on men who desert their officers in the hour of danger; and states his eonvietixm that a small body of disciplined troops can by acting in concert, repulse any number of savages.

There is not a doubt that tho general instructions and remarks above n-f. rred to, are suitable and necessary lor the occasion; and it is to he hoped that they will be remembered and acted upon with the same particular care that Colonel W arre exercises in so impressively imparting them. The only portion ol'the order which grates harshly is that second reference to the death of Colonel Llovd.

That Captain Lloyd was “over confident, and did unhappily neglect necessary precaution,” wo regretfully admit, lie paid the penalty who his hie ; and who can say how much his last moments were di-I uroed by (ids convict ion ; that omission apart, Captain Lloyd died with the heroism becoming to a .-oldur and a gentleman.

We have before expressed our opinion that it is a matter of regret that Captain Lloyd should (comparatively inexperienced as lie was in the knowledge of native tactic?) have been appointed to that expedition, and not oilier officers whose knowledge of the Maori rendered them so much more suitable. Without presuming for an instant to trespass on the commanding officer's special province, as public journalists we eannnot refrain from reiterating that opinion. Tarana/ii Ad-ie.y, April 27.