Habal and Militarg Intelligence.

New Zealand Herald, Volume I, Issue 2, 16 November 1863, Page 2

Habal and Militarg Intelligence.

H. M. S. S. ' HIMALAYA.'

This magnificent ship (Captain Lacy), of whose movements we speculated in our Advertising Sheet of Saturday, was signalled the same afternoon, and fetched her anchorage shortly after 5 p.m. There was an unwonted degree of excitement visible on our streets and wharves as her noble form showed round the North Head; but, like all symmetrical ships, vast as her proportions are, she seemed to be of suoli moderate dimensions that some doubt was entertained whether or not she might prove to bo the Prince Arthur or some other steamer of Her Majesty's Indian squadron. On approaching her, all such suppositions were instantaneously dispelled, for there lay a Leviathan of her own unequalled order, and as we pulled alongside, squally and wintry as the v.-catlier then was, we found ourselves under an extensive and quiescent lee. Reserving until a future opportunity a full description of this splendid ship, we shall content ourselves with a statement of her doings from the time of her departure from England to the date of her arrival in our waters. Sailed from Portsmouth on the 29th of July, arrived at Simons Bay, 30th. August, sailing thence sth, and arriving at Colombo on tho 24th September. Her original instructions were to proceed from Colombo to Rangoon; those orders, however, were subject to the orders of the Governor-General of India. And Ilis Excellency having chartered tho s. s. Lady Joceylyn to convoy the 43rd regt. from Calcutta to Auckland ; aid another vessel (whether steamer or sailing ship wc were unable to ascertain) to bring on the 08th regiment from Rangoon, the Himalaya was consequently dispatched forthwith with the 50th from Ceylon, whence she sailed on tho 10th October, arriving at Melbourne ou the 2nd inst. There she coaled and remained for five days, taking a fresh departure on the 7tli, arriving at tliis port on the evening of tlie 14th, after a varied passage of fair and foul weatlior; dirty on her making the land, and carrying away licr jib-boom short oil' on Saturday morning. Tho Himalaya has on board that distinguished regiment the 50th, now called the Queon's Own, but formerly proudly and preeminently styled the " Dirty Half Hundred." They are in command of Colonel Richard Waddy, C.8., an officer well known to and much '.respected by many old friends who cherish a most friendly recollection of tho Black Cuffs during tlieir Australian torn' of service somo five and twenty years since; -nnd their junior Major F. G. Ilamley, brevet Licut.-Coionel, will command an immediate interest with us of. Auckland, seeing that lie is a brother of our popular and much respected Ordnance Storekeeper. Tlie regiment numbers 819 men and officers all told, besides 57 women and 87 cliildren. The following are the names tho officers: —Lieut.-Col. and Colonel: R. Waddy, C.B. Majors and Bt. Lieut.-Colonels : H. E. AVeare, F. G. Ilamley. Captains: G. W. Bunbury, J. Thompson, R. 11. P. Doran, F. D. Leo, C. R. Johnson, W. Minister, C. A. F. Creagli. Lieutenants : F. Faulkner, W. H. Wilson, 11. E. W. Preston, C. R. Kill", G. H. Turner, W. H. Barker, W. R. White, W. L. Floury, O. Goldsmith, J. 11. Vander Meulon. Ensigns : J. if. Rolleston, C. M. Churchill, G. J. C. Allardice, A. S. Campbell, D. L. Grant, J. E. C. Dovcton, K. Douglas, A. Hunt, H. R. Wortliington. Captain and Paymaster: J.Nolan. Lieutenant and Adjutant : E. Leach. Quarter-Master : J. Turner. Surgeon : J. Eraser, M.D. Assistant-Surgeons: G. F. Davis, H. Lamb.

During their brief stay at- Melbourne the 50th had the pleasure of meeting with Colonel Anderson, by whom they were in bygone years commanded. They were there, on board tlie Himalaya, on the stli inst., the ninth anniversary of Inkcrmaun, presented with new colours, by Mrs. Waddy, tho wife of their present gallant chief, who in perforating that interesting duty, spoke with all the feeling and fervour of a British soldier's >vif;. Tho 50th will be a'great and welcome addition to the force of our gallant General Cameron; and we are happy to add that they are speedily to bo followed by those renowned light infantry corps the 43rd and 68tli.

Tho Himalaya has brought a six gun battery of 12-pounder Armstrong field guns.

Haying recorded the nameß and rauk of fclio officers of the " Queen's Own," it is but common courtesy to give those in charge of the splendid ship that has bome them in safety to our service: —Himalaya is commanded by Captain Edward Lacy (18G2), iirst lieutenant of the Furious, steam frigate, :iu 1852 ; (under the first Commodore of the Australasian squadron,) Captain William Loring, C.B. He was present, in that ship, at the bombardment of Odessa ut 1851, and throughout nil lier Bgryicea before

Sebastopo!, al Kerteh, and Kinburn, in 1855. His Lieutenants; ire G-. D. C. Henderson (1855), N. C. Barton (1859), F. S. Yander Meulen (1860), J. Thompson, Master (1855), W. T. Wilson, Surgeon (1856), John-M a Uard, Paymaster (1857), Symons, Cliicf Engineer (1859), R. Biddle, I'. Hutchinson, W. 31. Sedgwick, J. B. Kcay, &. Ludiow, B. Anderson, 3. Anthony, and W. Thompson, Assistant Engineers. Messrs. Sullivan, Misslebrook, and Booker, Gunners; Baillic, Thoroughgood, and Brampton, Bd»tswains; and Sanders, Carpenter. She has neither midshipmen nor naval cadets, being a troop, not a ship, although in other respects officercd .ond manned as other ships wearing Her Majesty's pendant.