COURTS MARTIAL.

New Zealander, Volume 1, Issue 19, 11 October 1845, Page 4

COURTS MARTIAL.

The following is the result of the Courts Martial held at Aucklaud, on Lieut. Edward Barclay, and Ensign John Campbell : — (Extract from General Orders.) No. 154. Sydney, September 10, 1845. At a General Court Martial held at Auckland, New Zealand, on the 7th, and by adjournment to the 14th August, 1845, Lieut. Edward Barclay, of the 96th Regiment, was arraigned on the following charges, viz :— Ist.—" For in that he, Lieut. Edward Barclay, 96th » Regiment, did at Russell, Bay of Islands, on thr^ I Hh March, 1845, when engaged with the MaoriesjP in defence of that settlement, and whilst stationed with his men on a platform, where were posted a party of civilians and others, in charge of certain guns, shelter himself under an embankment, for the purpose of screening his person from the fire of the enemy." 2nd. — " For in that he, Lieut. Edward Barclay, 96' th Regiment, did at Russell, Bay ol Islands, oa the 1 lth March, 1845, when ithad been determined to evacuate that settlement, embark his detachment with undue precipitation, and before he had ascertained that the inhabitants and others under the military protection of his detachment, had beeu duly cared lor." 3rd.—" For conduct highly unbecoming in a British officer, in lhat he, Lieut. Edward Barclay, 96ih Regiment, did not at the time atid place aforementioned, when in command of the detachment to whom the military protection of the settlement at Russell, in the bay of Islands, was committed, display that zeal and energy in defence of the lives and properties of Her Majesty's subjects, which was required to support the honour of Her Majesty's arms." Upon which charges the Court came to the following decision :— The Court having maturely considered the evidence, in support of the prosecution against the prisoner Lieut. Edward Barclay, 96th Regiment; his defence, and the evidence adduced in support of it, is of opinion that With regard to the first charge, he the prisoner, Lieut. Edward Barclay, 96ih Regt., is Not Guilty, and do most fully and most honourably acquit him thereof. With regard to the second charge, that he, the prisoner, Lieut. Edwar^ Barclay, 96th Reg., is Not Guilty, and do most fully'ttud most honourably acquit him thereof. With regard to the third charge, he, the prisoner, Lieut. Edward Barclay, 96th Kegt., is Not Guilty, and do most fully and most honouourably acquit him thereof. Which finding, the Lieutenant-Ceneral Commanding is pleased to approve and confirm : aud directs that the officer commanding the troops in New Zealaud, will direct this officer to be released from arrest and to return to his duty, as soon after ibis general | order as circumstances will admit of. j At a General Court Martial held at Auckland, ' New Zealand, on the l'6th, an 1 by adjournment on the 18tli August, 1845, Ensign John Campbell, 96tb Regiment, was arraigned on the following charge, viz :— " For highly unofficer-like conduct, at Russell, Bay of Islands, on the I lth March, 1845, in that he, Eusigu John Campbell, 96th Regiment, did heedlessly and carelessly guard the blockhouse committed to his charge, and evacuate the same without sufficient cause, and without orders from his superior officer so to do. 1 ' Upon which charge the Court came to the following decision : The Court having maturely considered the evidence in support of the prosecution, together with what the prisoner has urged in his detence, is of opinion, that he, the prisoner, Ensign John Campbell, 96 1 h Keg., is Guilty of the charge preferred against him, with the exception of the word "evacuating,," of which the Court finds him Not Guilty, and acquit him of that part thereof, as it appears he was a"bsent from the blockhouse at the time it was surprised. The Court having found the prisoner, Ensign John Campbell, of the 96th Regiment, Guilty of the charge preferred againit him, with the exception of the word " evacuating," which being iii breach of the articles of war, do now sentence him, the prisoner, Ensign John Campbell of the 96th Regiment, to be severely reprimanded, in such manner, as the Lieut. General commanding the forces iv the Australian Colonies may direct. His Excellency the Lieut. General commanding is pleased to approve and confirm the foregoing finding and sentence : and Ensign John Campbell, 96th Regiment, is hereby reprimanded. Colonel Despard, commanding the troops in NewZealand, will take an early opportunity of causing this General Order to be communicated to that officer, and release him from arrest. By Command, &c. (Signed) E. M. O'CONNELL, Major of B.igade.

Important Discovery.— A scientific gentleman, residing at Ipswich, Mr. Frederick Ransome, engineer, has lately discovered a method whereby the hardest stone can be brought into a consistency resembling common puttey, so that it can be cut and moulded into any shape for useful or ornamental purposes, without altering its general character and' appearance : for it becomes as hard and in some instances even harder, than when subjected to the process.. Any peculiarity of the process is, that any colour, or variety of colours, can be imparted to its solid substance, so that an endless variety of shades can be produced, as it is capable of being polished, it effectually resists the aclion of the weather. It can also be used as a cement, and can be brushed over the surface of wood, so as to render it fire-proof. — Sheffield Mercury. The Duke of Wellington is the oldest soldier] in, Europe actively employed, having entered the army on the 7th March, 1787, forty eight years ago, as, Ensign iv the 73rd Foot.