THE WAR.-DEPARTRIRE OF THE MILITARY.

New Zealander, Volume XVI, Issue 1490, 28 July 1860, Page 5

THE WAR.-DEPARTRIRE OF THE MILITARY.

[From the " Melbourne Herald," July lII] The complete narrative of the memorable conflict at Waitara is now before us. A portion of it appeared in our columns yesterday, and to-day we add the final details. By thousands of readers this account will be perused with deep and eager interest, but with the same emotions as those evoked by the telegraphic outlines received a week ago. We find that the main incidents of the saddening story have been correctly reported. The pre-determincd attack, the fierce onset,—the surprise from the ambushed savages,—the desperate band-to-hand struggle —the brilliant episodes of individual gallantry—the anxious glances flung backward in the momentary pauses of the fight* for the reinforcements that never cam —and the compulsory, but not inglorious retreat ; —nil these moving incidents of the sanguinary engagement at Waitara stand confirmed, and have already passed into the domain of history. But the facts dilate, rs it were, before the eye, as it scans the fuller details. Thus we find that the attack on the l'ukatakauere pah was not resolved upon until ample provocation bad been given by the insurgent Maories. The British troops, on their way to the scene of action, were exposed to the worst inflictions of inclement skie< and all but impracticable roads. " They waded out,'' says the narrator, "through a sea of mud, under south-west squalls and showers." The enemy was at least three times more numerous than the attacking force, and were largely reinforced during the engagement. The bravery evinced by the troops was beyond all praise, " ollicers and men fought with steadiness and energy, under a fire which an Indian officer compares to that at Ferozeshah and Sobrnon, and which a soldier of the Crimean states to have been hotter than that in the Redan." Major Nelson evinced throughout all the best qualities of a commander. The officers conducted themselves as became men and British soldiers wearing the uniform of Queen Victoria. One name stands conspicuously on the list of dead, and one on the list of wounded. Lieutenant Brooke has early found a soldier's grave : but not until he had carved his name on the immemorial tablet sacred to the memory of the Brave. His death will cause universal regret throughout the Australian colonies. Sincere admiration and sympathy will likewise be accorded to Captain Seymour,— whose life, happily, is still his country's possession. This is the brighter side of the story, the darker features of it, unfortunately, are equally confirmed by the accounts before us. There cannot, in the face of these accounts, beany evasion of the charges preferred against Colonel Gold. It is almost appalling to read that one man there was who could have made the retreat a decisive victory, totally destructive of the hopes and designs of the insurgents. " Succour was needed, and it was at hand, but it was withheld." It lay in the power of the Commander of the Forces to co-operate, to succour, or promptly to relieve. Ono after anothor ho neglected or declined three opportunitiesas they passed. He did not creato a diversion, he delayed when he should have hurried to retrieve ; and he marched his cage men back to quarters when he should have gone forward to renew the strife. There is but one opinion amongst all classos about the Commander's conduct. On the occasion of his withdrawing the troops under bis command from the vicinity of the pah without affording assistance or endeavouring 10 ascertain the fato of Major Nelson and his men, "he was groaned at by the men of the ltflh, and hissed by the Naval Brigade." These are very serious statements. We prefer simply quoting them to commenting upon them, i'hey bear, indeed, their own comment. But they excite a strong feeling of indignant surprise in the mind of a civilian reader. How, we ask again, when such interests were at stake, did Colonel Gold, of all men, come to be placed thero at all ? To-day the Major-General in person, with all the remaining available men of the 40th Regiment, will embark in two steamers for the scene of action in New Ze-land. This step was the only one open to the authorities here, after the receipt of the disastrous intelligence from Taranaki. It was high time that the commander of the forces there should be superseded. Well, indeed, would it have been both for himself and others if he had been released from his responsibilities immediately after that first misadventure at Waireka ! But the past is past, and it is vain to attempt to recall the irrevocable. If we could be sure that the gallant fellows who will this day embark to rejoin their comrades in New Zealund would not be summoned into actual warfare, —that a truce would be proclaimed before they land in the disturbed territory,-or that the voluntary submission of the nvolted Maories would render further hostilities unnecessary,—then might one bid them farewell without one pang of apprehension, But it would bo futile to indulge such a hope. They go, wc fear, to take their part in more than fierce encounter with the barbarian foe. They go to retrieve a serious disaster, and to wipe out the memory of a repulse and a retreat. They go—and it is vain to cloak the sentiment in terms of affected mildness, —they go to avenge their fallen comrades. Wo cannot hope that no more names will be added to the melancholy list which our columns this morning contain : but wo can sincerely add our prayer to the prayers of wives and children and dear friends and acquaintances, that victory may attend the steps of the gallant men who leavo us this day wherever the fortunes of the conflict may direct them, and that Ho in whose hands are the issues of life and death may cover their hoads in the day of battle !

MELBOURNE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY. Tuesday, 17tu July. The Speaker took the chair at twenty minutes past four o'clock. THE LAND BILL. The Speaker acquainted the House that there was a discrepancy between the amendments made by the House in the Land Bill as printed, and the " votes and

proceedings," the word "or" had been left out. Ho had directed the necessary correction to be made. Mr. Henderson made some- remarks upon the "staff "of the House. PETITION. Dr. Macadam presented a petition from the Municipal Council of Castlcmaine, praying the insertion ot a clause in the Municipal Act Amendment Bill, giving precedence to chairmen of municipalities in courts ot pettv sessions held in their own districts. The Speaker ruled that the petition was informal, and it was accordingly withdrawn. THE WITHDRAWAL OF THE TROOPS FOR NEW ZEALAND. The Speaker announced that he had received the following message from His Excellency the Governor: — "TEMPORARY WITHDRAWAL OF THE HEAD QUARTER STAFF. " The Governor thinks it right to communicate to the Legislative Assembly a copy of the correspondence with the Mujor-General commanding Her Majesty's forces in Australia respecting the temporary withdrawal of the Head Quarter Staff, and of the head quarters of the 40th Regiment for service in New Zealand. " The Governor relies on the loyalty and prudence of the Legislature to make proper provision for guarding against any risk of aggression from without, as well as for the maintenance of tranquility within, during such absence of ordinary garrisons. "Henry Barkly, Governor. "Government Offices, Melbourne, 16th July, I860." On the motion of Mr. Nicholson, the enclosures to His Excellency's message- were read by the Clerk of the House, as follow: — "Head Quarters, Melbourne, 16th July. " Sir, —T have the honor to report, for the information of His Excellency the Governor, that consequent upon the recent intelligence from New Zealand, I have placed the head quarters of the 40th Regiment in order of readiness to embark without delay for that dependency. " A depot will remain, composed of sick weakly men, boys, etc., but as the .strength may not admit of their taking other duties than charge of barracks and regimental stores, I would propose for your Excellency's consideration the necessity for making some arrangements with the volunteers or the police to take all requisite duties during the absence of head quarters. " It is my intention to proceed myself with a portion of my staff to New Zealand as a temporary measure to make all military arrangements for the general defence of the Island in connection with the Governor and local authorities. I have, eta, "T. S. Pratt, " Major-General Commanding. " To His Excellency Sir 11. Barkly, Governor, etc." "Government Offices, Melbourne, 16th July. " Sir, —I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 13th instant, informing me of your intention to despatch the head-quarters of the 40th Regiment without delay for New Zealand, and to proceed yourself with a portion of your staff to the scene of war, for the purpose of concerting future movements with the Governor of that Colony. "In reply, I have the honour to state, that the step thus announced meets with the cordial concurrence of the Government, and that H.M.S. Victoria has been ordered round from Sydney for the purpose of being placed at your entire disposal whilst performing this service. " Arrangements have been made to supply the place of the military from the Volunteer Force, which,, with the police, will be quite sufficient for the preservation of internal tranquility during the absence of the ordi- , nary garrison. "I have only to add that the necessary authority will be issued by the hon. the Treasurer for the defrayment of the colonial pay and allowance to the detachment of the 40th Regiment, now about to embark for a similar period to that for which they were extended in the instance of the detachment formerly sent to New Zealand, and that there is every disposition on the part of my advisers, and of the Legislature, to act with the utmost liberality on the occasion, and to manifest their sympathy with those who are called on to sustain the honour of the British name in the sister colony. I have, &c., " Henry Barkly. " The Hon. Majur-Gcueral Pratt, C.8., commanding Her Majesty's Forces in Australia."— Herald, July 18

We have been informed that the whole of the soldiers of the 4(>th Regiment now in garrison, except the invalids, will leave for Taranaki to-day. A portion will be conveyed by the City of Hobart, which has been chartered for "the purpose, while the remainder, together with Major-General Pratt and his staff, will embark on board the Victoria, which is expected to come alongside the railway pier at twelve o'clock. We understand that Captain Pasley has volunteered to accompany the expedition, and that he will receive a staff appointment. May victory light upon the banners of the gallant fellows who are going to leave us; and may they all speedily return to our shores! —lbid. It was reported yesterday that the approaching departure of Major-General Pratt tor the seat of war in New Zealand, will hasten an alliance which has for some time been spoken of as likely to take place between the families of the Goveruor-in-Chief and the Commander of the Forces. Iu all probability the nuptials of Sir Henry Barkly and Miss Pratt will be celebrated within a day or two. The Volunteers were on duty yesterday at the various posts where a military guard is usually stationed, and at the Treasury, the Magazine, Tocrak, and the Government offices, a rifleman occupied the place generally tilled by a soldier of the line. Every preparation is for the approaching departure of the regular troops, who will leave for Taranaki on Wednesday afternoon. Up to the time of going to press the Victoria had not arrived, but the City of Hobart had been chartered by the Government.— Melbourne Herald, July 17. On the rising of the Equity Court yesterday evening, Mr. Abraham suggested to His Honour Mr. Justice Barry, that as many members of the bar and others had friends in the 40th Regiment, whom they would like to sec on board the steamer previous to their departure for New Zealand next day, the Court should adjourn at an earlier hour than usual on Wednesday. His Honour expressed his approval of the suggestion, and said he would only finish taking evidence in the case of Hartiett v. Jordan, on the following day.— Melbourne Herald, July 18.