PUUIiY.

New Zealand Herald, Issue 4, 21 November 1863, Page 4

PUUIiY.

[FJIOM OCK OWN t'OIIKKSrOXnT'NT.]

November 20th. Till-: village has been all in a bustle this morning ; a large convoy has gone to the Queen's Ivedoubt, which was shortly followed by the remainder of the ISth Ivegt., consisting of 175 men, 1 captain, 2 subalterns, and one staff ollicer, (with the exception of the Colonel, and a few oflicers and men who march to-morrow.) About 100 men and olliccrs of the 50th Hcgt-., have also gone. The latter are to relieve part of the ISth, occupying the lirst posts on the south road. There are but few soldiers now left here, but 300 of the 50th are expected up to-day from Otalmhu. lieports come in occasionally of late announcing that Maori tracks are seen. The escort from Pukekohe yesterday say that foot prints of Maorics were visible through tin; Bush-road. Wo further learn that tracks have been discovered in the locality of Mauku, and that- a Mr. Eccles, aPresbyterianelergyinanof Waiuku, while on his way from Drury to thr,t place on Tuesday, had a percussion cap snapped at him, as he supposed, bv a Maori, somewhere near Patumahoe. At ail events he was alarmed, and rode quickly on to the Mauku .stockade, whence a number of volunteers were sent, and found fresh (racks in the direction where the snapping was said to have occurred. Occasionally solitary travellers pass along this road, and I am afraid, if they persist in being so indiscreet, that I shall have occasion to transmit you some melancholy intelligence. It is but a short time since one unfortunate young man lost his life, and another had his horse shot under him, and very narrowly escaped. The natives have only been keeping close during the past rough weather; when it changes to fair we shall hear of them again in their true character. Yesterday, as a private of the Waiuku Volunteers, on pass, was approaching Drury, he was challenged b}' one of the Wuikato Militia, he gave the word, but the other, not satisfied with that, threatened to shoot liini, and cocked and presented his rifle. The stranger contrived to hold a parley and found In: luul a drunkard— who seemed perfectly bent on shooting hirr— to deal with. After a good deal of talk, f.lie volunteer ptirsuaded this rascally sentry to take a drop of rum, of which he had two bottles. The drunkard still eyed his man, saying " I'll shoot 3'ou." As the other saw nothing else 'or it, he managed to pull the trigger and"the riiie went off. The sentry then allowed the volunteer to make his way home. There are too many pranks carried on by drunken men with arms in their hands ; it is high time that all parties who commit, such nets should be dealt with as they deserve. Drunkenness is an invariable set-off as a plea for misconduct.

[Why not have such fellows arrested and tried by court martial ? —Ed. N. Z. H.]