DESERTERS.

New Zealander, Volume 13, Issue 1156, 16 May 1857, Page 3

DESERTERS.

We copy the following humane announcement from the Melbourne Herald: — General Order. Head Quarters, Melbourne, 9th April, 1857. It has been represented to the Major-Genera] Commanding the troops in Australia and Xew Zealand, tlint there are, at this juncture, very many deluded men, in these colonies, who bitterly repent of their folly, in having on their first arrival, and as young soldiers, deserted from their regiments, but who are. afraid of surrendering themselves on account of the severe penalties which arc the just and inevitable awards of desertion.

Moved by these considerations the Major-General ventures so far to interfere in their behalf, that he en-

rages to remit flu? imprisonment with or without hard abour, which, in this command, is the usual punish-

mcnt of desertion for a lirst offence, when unattended with aggravated circumstances ; provided, however, rhut ofienders oi* this class, who have now an opportunity of surrendering themselves, shall do so before the celebration of her Most Gracious Majesty's birthday, on the 24th May next ensuing. The once ill-advised men who so give themselves up 10 the authorities will again be received into their respective corps, with no other penalty than the forfeiture of the advantages of past services, which the Major-General has no power to remit. They will thus be restored to the companionship of those true soldiers who faithfully perform their engagements. Hut should they fatally for themselves otherwise determine, many such deserters may for a while, it is true, continue to elude the untiring and ever renewing search, that at all times places them in danger of being apprehended. In ihis position, the consciousness of guilt, the dread of detection, and the certainty that whenever brought before a military tribunal, they will assuredly incur the punishment for desertion prescribed by the articles of war are circumstances more than sufficient to render life a burthen. I?y Command, (Signed) J. Martin Bladen Neill, Lieut-Colonel Deputy Adjutant-General.