DEPARTURE FOR ENGLAND OF COL. WYNYARD AND THE 58th REGIMENT.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume V, Issue 20, 30 November 1858, Page 1

DEPARTURE FOR ENGLAND OF COL. WYNYARD AND THE 58th REGIMENT.

After a period of service, altogether without a parallel in the Colonies, Colonel Wynyard has departed for England. Colonel Wynyard and the 58th regiment have been so long familiar t& and so thoroughly identified with, all closes of the inhabitants of New Zealand—those of Auckland in particular—that it was impossible that either the one or the other could be allowed to quit these shores without the most unequivocal public demonstrations of the high regard in which they have been so long and deservedly held. To mark their sense of Colonel Wynyard *s contact a public subscription was set on foot in Auckland for the purchase of a piece of plate which in years to come, shall tell to his descendants the sentiments of the Colony which be so long and faithfully served. On the 27th of October, this Public Testimonial was presented (o Colonel Wynyard, by His Excellency the Governor, in the presence of the subscribers and a large concourse of ladies and gentlemen assembled at Govern-

ment House to witness the interesting ceremony. The Governor, after adverting to the long residence of Colonel Wynyard in the Colony, and to the many important events in which he had taken a prominent pant, presented him with a purse containing 300 sovereigns to be expended in England in the purchase of a piece of plate, on which there is to be inscribed:— *' Presents* to Colokel 'Robert Henry Wtoyakd, '€.s,, of Hea Majesty's 58th rbgiwent, 44 On bis departure from New Zealand, by a number of ihe inhabitants of the City and Province of Auckland—in testimony of their high appreciation of the jtbiJily, integrity, and urbanity which have characterised his discbarge of the several important public <duties which devolved upon him during thirteen years' official residence in New Zealand, from August 4843, 40 October 4838. in whicb time he filled, for various periods, the following offices !a4he Public Service:-^ -* LteutenanuGovernor of the Province of New Ulster, Superintendent of the Province of Auckland, Officer Administering the Government of New Zealand, Member of the Eftecativg Council of Bis Excellency the Go* pernor. Member of the Legislative Council of the Colony, Colonel of Her Majesty's 58iU Regiment, and Officer commanding Her Majesty's Troops in New Zealand." ] " Colonel Wynyard exhibited a great degree of emotion upon the occasion, and replied to His Excellency's address in that frank, soldierly, yet feeling manner, for which be is so remarkable. In the evening be was entertained at a Public Ball given by the inhabitants of Auckland, and at which every possible demonstration of esteem and respect was paid to biru. On the Ist of the present month* Colonel Wyoyard and ifce greater part of hjs family lode New Zealand " Farewell," There was o vast concourse af the inhabitants drawn towards the Wyarard Pier to bebokl lueni lake imetr teate* A guard of honour of the 58th regu, with tlie Band and Regimental Colour, was drawn up to pay the Colonel their parting respects. The Royal Mail Steam ship Lord Ashley, bound for Sydney, was lying to off the Pier Head, down which tfie Colonel slowly proceeded hemmed in on jewy by groups of citizens eager to bid him a sorrowful farewell. About 4 o'clock the boat that contained him pushed off for the steamer, and, as it did so, the guns of

Fork Britonwpt boomed forth a Farewell saJute, which was taken up and re-echoed tty the various ships in port, and towards dusk, the Lord Ashley proceeded on her course. Having thus rendered at! becoming honor to their Chief, it yet remained for the people of Auckland to- testify their regard for the ppgiment which be bad so long and ably commanded, and which lies so well and faithfully served us- Accordingly on Thursday the Mill instant, the Regiment was en- * rtainea at a Public- Banquet given it* the Albert Barrack Square, at which the-soldiers and the citizens were happily mtenmngled. The grounds were tastefully laid out—a double row of long and'well furnished tables were enclosed by rows of tents and marquees around which tberc was gathered a large crowd of spectators deeply interested in the animated proceedings. The Band of the 63th RegC. was present and performed some beautiful music; and every assistance was rendered by Colonel Gold and his Officers to contribute to the entertainment. A great many speeches were nude, many of them, very clever ones; the chief aim of the speakers being to show the sinrere regard' mutually entertained towards each, other by the soldiers and the citizens. The stnalt remnant of Ihe 36th regt., by the ship Mary Annv The entire number of Officers, soliicrs, women and children so* deporting is only about 300 souls, and most of these are- young soldiers who have only been a short time in the place. By much the largest portion of the 58ih regt. have received their discharge from the service, and have become Auric* fcind Colonists, and even amongst those who are about to leave us,, there are many who will return hither to cast their lot with ours —better men or belter colonists we need not desire to have, and though we have lost the number, and the war-honoured colours of the 38ili regt. „ the bone and sinew, the pluck and spirit of the corps remains behind to advance New Zealand, and to serve her as heretofore whenever her necessities shall require. No other Regiment has been sent from England to relieve the 3*in; bm to compensate for that the 63ih regt. has been augmented to nearly double the strength of what the 58ih regt." was when it embarked from England for Colonial service- Colonel; IVold succeeds- to Colonel Wynyard in com-1 matfef, and from the high estimation iu! which- lie has been so Icug he'd by the Co- i

lonisls of Wellington, there can be no doubt that he wilt insure equal esteem and respect were.