THE "QUEEN'S OWN."

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

THE "QUEEN'S OWN."

The gallant 50th rrero landed altogether unexpectedly, and as wo cannot but consider very inconsiderately, in tin! course of yesterday. Why is Sunday, without pressing necessity, selected almost as a day of work? 1 And why should soldiers or sailors be rushed from a fine comfortablo ship to a half provided, half furnished, miserable barrack? Must tho red-tapeiam of tiie Crimea bo perpetuated in New Zealand ? Must men arriving from a tropical and enfeebling country be needlessly exposed to tho severity of weather, altogether unseasonable and unpnrnlelled within tho knowledge of residents of twenty years. Early yesterday morning, tho hired transport steamer Corio, Captain Turner, and steam gunboat Sandfly, Captain Marks, proceeded alongside IT. M. S. S. Himalaya, from which ship the debarkation forthwith commenced. It was then blowing fresh from the Westward with all the indications of increasing to a furious gale—indications sufficiently obvious to have caused a countermand of orders issued, come from what quarter they might. About 1 p.m., the steam-boita, closely packed with soldiers, east off from the Himalaya, making the best of their way towards the Quien-stioet Wharf, Corio fetching to irindward, Sandfly looking CI t for a berth to leeward of that structure, and both, for a great length, of time, hanging on in helpless, i r ' not perilous, foiticipation of landing their invaluable living freight. At this time the gale hid increased to a tempest, until the rain descending in torrents orokc the heart of the hurricano. Under such wretched circumstanecs the noble fellows achieved their landing, and drenched to the skin, witli arms Boiled, baggage saturated, and neither corafort, convenience, nor resting place before them, they marched (with the heartfelt sympathy of our citixcns) to the Albert Barracks, from whence we learn they will resume their march this morning to tho Camp at Otahuliu. Surely landing orders should be discretionary, such as " wind and weather permitting." The two last regiments arriving have experienced very rough receptions. The 18th had scarcely landed cro they were in the hottest of tho fire. The 50th in landing have nearly been drowned. " lliey manage these things better in France." Towards suaset the tempest moderated, when tho Sandfly took O.i board the remainder of the regi:nent, the men now landing easily and with dry jackets, and marching comfortably to their barracks.