DRURY.

New Zealand Herald, Issue 1, 14 November 1863, Page 1

DRURY.

- [fhosi: oue own cohbesposdekt.] NovemHjsr 13th. Feou despatches received from "Winiku yesterday evening, the facts of • the capture of the Maoris prove to bo correct, with the exception that there was no man with a broken leg as mentioned. Captain. Lloyd in command of 40 of the Waiuku Volunteers came upon the natives, and seeing a few guns and ammunition hid in the fern, thought i£ necessary to apprehend them. The natives, it seems, turn out to be friendly, a word often employed, but one which, from circumstances, is deservedly very unpopular with the public. The party who brought down the despatch states, that en Monday last, he distinctly seen tv.'o Maoris passingfrom the direction of Paturuahoi to Karaka Point, and Captain Moir, who came from Pukekohe yesterday, speaks of having seen Maori footprints on the way. Can "these ba friendly Maoris as well? Or is it likely that they would act in that spirit if they happened to see ai. pakelia on their way? We have had too much friendly Maorisliip, and it is now full time such friendship should bo done away with. Last Tuesday evening at the Pukekolio stockade, whilst Sergeant .Hi chard McGramo was on duty with the guard, ho was shot at by Private O'lfcil, and wounded in the shoulder, tho ball passing through it. These men belong to Col. Pi'.t's rogiment of Waikato Militia.- It appears that Sergeant McGramc Jtiad giroa aomo order oil guard, when the man "deliberately presented jiis rifle at him saying, and suiting tno action to ! the word, " I'll shoot you, and using some obscene language." He was immediately apprehended before he could do further injury, which he threatened to do with the butt of his gun. Sergeant McGrame. has not had at anytime a quarrel with this man. They were both brought down on Wednesday by & guard of the Auckland Militia to this place. The wounded ™n was able to sit on horseback, the other man was marched in a prisoner. He was under the influence of strong drink when he committod the act,, and is to be tried by a Court Martial to-day. Dr. Dalton, who attended the wounded man, reports him as getting on very favourably. The ball passed through tho shoulder without breaking any bone or vissical. Whilst going through tho camp ground where the Auckland Militia are placed, I could not but remark the unsuitable position it is placed in—a low flat piece of ground, and this, with the aceuumulation of the last two days' rain, together with the great traffic which taken place, may give an idea of the amount of mud which exists. A very severe night just over, it is not unreasonable to expect the men to be rather uncomfortable, especially as they are lying on the wet ground with only a little ti-tree for bedding. Many of them are complaining of their health giving way ; certainly their first camping ground was in a better position than the one they have been obliged to take. The water they have to use is brackish. It is the duty of the officers to look as much as possible to the comfort and health of the men, and it must be done if. they mean tcrhave an effective corps. The usual escort nyent to. tho front to-day.