Correspondence.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XIX, Issue 38, 12 May 1860, Page 3

Correspondence.

[The following letter, published in the form of a pamphlet, having been sent us, we willingly give it insertion.— Ed. N. J?.]

TO THE EDITOB OS THE ' NEI/SON EXAMINEE.'

The following pages were originally intended for Jmblication in the newspapers, but, being found too engthy, I have been obliged to offer them to the public in the present form. Before doing so, however, I would say a word or two to my friends, Colonel Gold, and the officers of the 65th Regiment. If you should condescend to peruse these pages, please to observe that I have studiously confined myself to facts, without taking the liberty of praising or blaming the acts of my superiors. Taranaki Militia and Volunteer Rifles !— lf I have ■horn you of any of your laurels, or tarnished the splendour of your glory, blame not me, but the mischievous compatriots who, in endeavouring to grasp at the shadow, hare lost the substance.

To M., Rifle Volunteer, and cliqus!— Should the castigation I have now administered be too severe, remember it was you who first threw down the gauntlet. I have been very lenient in this matter, there being a great deal in reserve if you should not be disposed to cry, "Hold, enough! 11 " Ye take too much upon ye, ye sons of Korah." New Plymouth, April 11, 1860.

11 Exaggerate not, nor set down aught in malice" Ms. Editor —Having been for some time a resident in New Plymouth, I, of course, feel a good deal of interest in the sayings and doings of the little settlement. You will not therefore be surprised when I tell you, that I have read your paper of the 4th April with much astonishment.

I am a non-combatant, therefore have no laurels to pick up for myself, and can afford to let each party wear what they are entitled to without envy ; and, not being an " eye-witness," I am enabled to form a more impartial judgment of passing eventa than either M., or a Taranaki Rifle could be supposed to do, they being in n gully during the engagement at Waireka, if engaged at all. I can't imagine why your correspondents should have such a down upon the military. "He is a bad shepherd who ill-uses his dogs." However, lam not going to be their champion ; I leave that to abler pens ; I merely want to throw a little light on what at present seems darkness. You ieem very well aware of the numbers of men we have in New Plymouth; by no means too many to protect the town, and keep the natives out, should they be disposed to visit us, which it was well known to be their intention to do : therefore, every man uselessly sacrificed is a loss at present irreparable to the community at large; and what, let me ask, was the use of arming men with an expensive rifle, if not to give them the advantage of long range. Better give them a tomahawk, if they are to rush into the jungle and fight at arm's length. I shall follow your example, and give M.'s letter the precedence. Is M. serving in the Militia ? If so, his comments on his commanding officer are very unbecoming. However, this is Colonel Gold's business ; but I think it rather unfair to make so much of an exparte statement, when even your own paper contradicts much of it, as I shall endeavour to point out as I proceed. M. certainly did not take for his motto " the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth." He has asserted much that is false, suppressed much that is true, and the little truth he has written is so garbled and twitted that even that puts on the air of falsehood.

The affair at the Waitara is now so long passed that it appears scarcely worth adverting to. However, I must make one observation ; M. says, " after some hours firing, orders were given to retire for the night." For "retire" read "lie down where they were." " When tbe mounted civilians, some of them rushing to the stockade," Ac. What buiinesi had they to do §o without orfai ? Had they waited for orders, one

valuable life might have been saved. Why does not he tell that oue civilian cried out frantically, " charge men, charge, like British soldiers," and that it was as much as Colonel Gold and the officers could do to keep the men from charging. What! a double stockade filled with armed savages, which stockade took 150 men hours to demolish? See your own paper— Journal qfUoents). Now it is very well known, that every man killed in Maori warfare is an advantage gained by them. Fancy, then, whao a triumph it would have been to have fifty or sixty of the picked men of the regiment put horsde combat, and the stockade left as strong as ever. Again, the object, I imagine, was to destroy the pah, not to exterminate the natives, who hitherto had committed no aggression on either settlers or property. M. sneers at Colonel Gold's defences, but he has not the nobility of soul to do Colonel Gold the justice to say, that when a mounted express was sent to inform him that the town was threatened, in less than four hours from the arrival of the express at the Waitara, Colonel Gold, with 200 men, guns and ammunition, was in town. You, Mr. Editor, who don't know the beach road between this and Waitara, cannot appreciate this march ; but all here, or rather all but M. and his clique, can do so.

[Respecting the Ratapihipihi affair, M. flays— "For some reason which does not appear," &c. Bravo, M., you have let out your conceit at last. The Volunteers arrived punctually, and stood 100 strong waiting for the "rest of the party" two companies of the 65tfA regiment and the commanding officer. Why does not M. say at once that these two companies of the 65th were getting a couple of hours' rest after their march from the Waitara ?

Now, as for his account of the " plan," I have been credibly informed it is altogether false. The party was merely a reconnaissance, to ascertain if the natives were in the vicinity or not. Their orders were not to attack ; but they went provided with arms to defend themselves.

M.'s observation about fighting in the bush is not kindly meant ; but history has proved that such a mode of fighting does not give soldiers the advantage, and though when attacked they have mostly proved themselves worthy, the commanding officer would be faulty who would lead them to defeat. Major Herbert was willing," &c. Is that meant as a compliment to Major Herbert ? lam afraid he will be hardly able to appreciate it. Of course he was willing — he would have been of little use there, or in command of the Militia at all, if he were not willing. Fortunately for the Militia, Major H. is an old soldier, and knows that obedience and discipline are the first duties of a soldier. It may have been fortunate also for M., that Major Herbert was aware of his duty to his commanding officer, or M. might not have returned to tell the tale. Then might we have exclaimed, " O what a fall was there, my countrymen."

Now for the expedition of Wednesday. " To the civilians was assigned the post of honour." Good. The civilians were sent as an escort to fetch home settlers (see Volunteer). They were armed for their own protection, with orders to march by the beach to the back of the block, bring home the settlers, and meet Colonel Murray at the " Whalers' Gate." But they had no orders to attach. Nevertheless, the temptation of firing upon a small party, who were evidently scouts, proved too strong for them (see Volunteer) ; and, when they had commenced, " they blazed away like mad," to use their own expression, till their ammunition was exhausted. They were soon surrounded in a gully, every flax bush being alive. " The Naval Brigade gave excellent assistance." True, for the nonce ; but why suppress that the Naval Brigade, under Lieutenant Blake, consisting of twenty-five men, were accompanied by fortythree soldiers (half the force), under Lieutenant Urquhart, and fifteen Volunteers from the Omata stockade, upwards of eighty in all (see Journal of Events, Taranaki Herald, also see Volunteer), who delivered them for the time, and were recalled where they were more needed, about the time of the arrival of Captain Cracroft.

Now, sir, has it not struck you as singular, the few casualties among the Maories who had to deal with this most valiant M. ? They are estimated at about sixty killed and wounded. It is well known that fifteen were killed in the pah, twenty-five at least where Lieutenant Blake was wounded, and not a few by the other soldiers. This does not say much for the steady aim of M., who used up all his ammunition in such a hurry. Then comes the false statement that " Captain Cracroft (see Journal of Events) returned on the troops by the road, and with them came into town, where they arrived about half-past six."

The women and children of Taranaki go to bed early when their men are fighting ! for when the soldiers arrived at their barracks, they found not only the rooms but the beds so full that they were obliged to be content with the passages. No offer was made to resign the comfortable beds which were so closely occupied at half-past six. But the fact is, it was long after eight when the Navy and Military arrived, and they did not leave Omata till the firing had ceased, about seven, p.m. Your correspondent says, " the flank towards the beach was open." Why, then, not come home by that road ? Their orders were to return at nightfall, and by their own showing, they did return by that road, when they chose to do so, about midnight. How was nil this known in town P Why, stragglers were riding backwards and forwards all day! Yet they were snut up iv a gully without food or ammunition !

If M. was at the fight, how does he know what passed in town? and what need of sending carts with food, when it was past one before they left town, and they were expected back at nightfall P Whose fault was it about the wrong ammunition being sent? Surely it could not be expected that the " old women commanders" should attend to that.

"Carts were not at hand." False. The carts left within five minutes of the arrival of the express ; but were turned back by a civilian, who said the road was stopped by natives at the Whaler's Gate-said natives being a friendly party, posted by the commanding officer to keep the road when he advanced nearly two miles beyond bis post to the support of M. You see, hitherto, I have said nothing of the party of soldiers with the rocket-tube, who were posted in Mr. M'Kellar's field, which M., being an " eye-wit-ness " in " a gully," could not see. But as Igoon I must comment. It is fortunate for us in town, notwithstanding M.'s wise allusion to the "blindness of the chief of the party," that the commanding officer had his weather-eye open ; the tactics of the natives being, that while M. wa3 " blazing away like mad" in the gully, they were to rush on the town. If, therefore, the commanding officer had shut his left eye when the natives were trying to turn his left flank, and rushed into the gully to save M., we in town should have been in a nice fix.

When regulars and civilians are under one command, it is always arranged that the regulars shall be the senior, else what is the use of soldiers at all P You know the old adage, " Let the shoemaker keep to his last." If the soldier, who spends perhaps thirty or forty years in the study of war, is not to know better than a man who, when called upon to fight, knows not (to use the expression of a very worthy militiaman to me the other day) the muzzle from the stock of his musket, what is the use of a commanding officer at all. M. tolls you, the military were to go by one road, the civilians by anothor. How was it possible for the commanding officer to bring people off who had effectually separated themselves from him ; to get to whom he must have disobeyed the strict injunctions he received, to keep the town-road open, besides dragging his men, with rocket-tube and ammunition, through a dense bush, much more difficult of access than the beach road, through the very savages M. complains of, and while the beach road was open— the road they came by. . But enough of M. It certainly is a new feature in military warfare for every man to judge for himself; but I do think it a pity you should have taken the trouble to print such bosh, or write a leader drawn from so flimsy and exparte a statement as M.'s letter. Now for the Volunteer. No matter how wise-looking a wig you put on an bbb, his ears will show. Mark how our wise Tolun* tor lttt the eat out of tbe bag. Ettuie my jocularity!

The Volunteer informs you, that they were sent on an expedition, the object of which they guessed. Evidently the authorities omitted to inform them— a great pity, but clearly showing they were expected to obey, not to command. He sings to the same tune as M., till he observes that Colonel Murray said " his men were tired." He should have added, that he guessed that also ; for it ia not likely the Colonel informed him. Observe— his version of what took place between Colonel Murray and Major Herbert does not coincide with M.'s, thereby throwing a doubt upon one, if not both. While animadverting upon the actions of his commanding officer, he goes on to say, I foolishly (Oh, wise fool) got over a fence, and " when ordered to retire, had some difficulty" Admire his candour in describing the ground — " a narrow pass, with a deep gully on botli sides ;" and then, instead of thanking God they had got back safe, he says " they were loud in complaints of Colonel Gtold, and of course Colonel Murray, for obeying orders ! " Now we will proceed to where the ass's ears protrude again.

" Volunteers were called on to fetch in the settlers" not to fight, mind ye, or, in the words of M., "to take the post of honour." [See M.] No ; "to fetch in the settlers." " A/eio natives showed. We commenced firing, and drove them before us ! About an hour after this, we saw the blue jackets ; shortly after, the military ; both did great execution, being about 100 yards from the natives." M. does not admit any of this. But the Volunteer should have added the hearty cheer which greeted them as they came round a corner. Now, Volunteer, you sent a message to Colonel Murray for ammunition. Where was he to get it ? Why did you not rather send to town ? Your stragglers found no difficulty in keeping the beach road. Note, the messenger contrived to reach Colonel Murray and return. Your messenger, who reported the answer of Colonel Murray, was a mendacious one. He did not say you had got into a mess without his orders, &c. I have been credibly informed, by those who are more to be relied upon, that his answer was, he had no ammunition except what was in his men's pouches, and observed that Captain B. had taken up a false position, and led him much farther than he was authorized to go, to extricate him from its consequences. Observe with what malice prepense Volunteer relates that they were left to their fate, without food or " water." Water on the banks of a river ! " How Captain Cracroft took the pah at dark. (Volunteer had good eyes to see the flag taken in the dark.) Why not detail the events as they occurred ? First, the taking of the pah, then the return of the army and navy (see M.) Why, sir, then there would have been no case. Considering that, on the 28th of March, it is scarcely dark nt seven, when he goes on to say they commenced their retreat, having five miles march into town ; now then he forgets to say what they were about, and why they took five hours to march five miles ; which, by-the-by, is another exaggeration, as they were in town by eleven, or soon after. Look at Battle of Waireka, Taranaki Herald, in the same number of your paper, and you will see what they were about ;" " partaking of the poor refreshment it was in our power to offer ;" that is to say, they were at the Omata stockade, tucking in all the grub they could get at, and fighting their battles o'er again. Then, he says, " carrying our wounded." Why not the whole truth at once? Two wounded were left at the Omata stockade ; one left in the gully where he fell, till next morning, one in a cart with the main body, and two rode in on horseback, reducing the number carried considerably. His observations on the conduct of Colonel Murray are unworthy of notice. Colonel Murray was in command of the party, and acted as he saw best. That is sufficient.

Now for the Volunteer's version of Colonel Browne's speech. What he twists into a compliment, is known by those upon the spot to be a polite censure. Some vain-glorious boys, and a few half-mad old women worked, themselves and one another into such a state of rage, talking of their wrongs and their prowess, that a second edition of the affair at Aldershott (I mean the recent collision between the regulars and the militia) was dreaded, and his Excellency recommended them to " shut up." This is the generally received opinion of the purport of the Governor's speech. I think, Volunteer, you may save yourself the trouble of applying to Captain Cracroft. Why, he would not have you at any price 5 and you would not like to be there long ; you are too fond of giving your opinion, and that the boatswain won't Btand. Besides that, we could not spare you. Then again you are under martial law. "Ay, there's the rub." Take care and "keep the beach road open in the rear ;" you might get into a " mess " that would not be so easy to get out of. You say the press is gagged. Permit me to doubt it. But take an old man's advice, gag yourself. " In last Sunday's expedition " you " wore a pair of new shoes clean out " crossing rivers between this and Omata ! Credat Judceus ! Where are the rivers ? Were the shoes dancing pumps'! Whatever they were, they must have been bad of their kind. " Pray don't mention" the expense. Keinember you're paid ; ay, boy, paid as much as the biggest grenadier in her Majesty's service, bating the good conduct pay. Query, are you worth it ? In concluding, you do right to apologise for your style and orthography. There is an old saying, rather vulgar, but very applicable— you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. It is well for Taranaki that all her militia are not like you and M. And now, Mr. Editor, having condemned your able (?) correspondents out of their own mouths, I must nave a word or two in conclusion. Are your correspondents aware that, by the Queen's regulations, officers and soldiers are forbidden to write in newspapers. They have made an attack which they are afraid to publish here. They shield themselves under a fictitious name ; they send their lucubrations to a sister settlement, whose sympathetic feeling has evinced itself so handsomely towards our women and children, there to get up a sensation which they would fail to do to any extent here. They attack men whose hands are tied, and attempt to take away the good name all over the world, of those who have spent toilsome days and sleepless nights seeking what way best to provide for the safety of the settlers of Taranaki. Shame! shame! that such things can be. Faib Plat.