DRURY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume I, Issue 10, 5 December 1863, Page 4

DRURY.

[troii orit couuEsrosivEXT.] December 3. At length the long looked-for day has arrived when our brave citizen soldiers, " the Auckland Militia," shall once more return to their respective homes. They have now been absent about six weeks from their various callings and occupations, on the present occasion, and have displayed themselves iu the most patriotic way, as loyal subjects of the crown. The self denying losses sustained are well known to the community, and have won the warm admiration wliich they so deservedly merited. The best of friends have to part at times, but I suppose in the present case we shall have a parting of friends who leave us in tho expectation of seeing sweethearts and smiling faces, and all the concomitant circumstances of the soldier's return. Many have been the anxious thoughts cast from Auckland to this place by their anxious friends, and I can well fancy the mingled emotions of pleasure which will be displayed when the brave young soldiers march back from glory in the field to their Auckland homes. They have performed their part nobly, ever ready and willing to do what was required of them, and return to their homes with the. best wishes of. nil.

About 200 men, under the command of their much CBlecmotl oliirer, Major Tighe, and tlie various officers of the detatehment, are to leave to-day, so soon as they are relieved by n similar number of the 2nd Waikato Regiment of Militia, who are expected from the Wuh'ou. They will proceed as far as Otalmhu camp to-night, and expect to get into Auckland tomorrow. The baggage, under escort, has already gone, and will be in town to-night. A lot of arms, taken in exchange from the 50th Regiment, have also gone to Auckland. The working party, consisting of 50 men who were engaged iu felling in the VVaii'oa locality, have left, and are coming here to commence the work of preparing metal at Shepherd's Bush, for the repair of the Great South Road. This is a prompt measure, and a wise step, as now is the time to get the repairs done as they, should be done. An immense saving will be the result, by having a whole summer's length for such operations, and not as was carried on in times past, when the dry season was allowed to pass, and the works earned on in winter months, when those parts made good on.a soft foundation were soon cut up by the heavy carting. An extraordinary case occurred here yesterday ; a man of the Transport Service had died from the effects received by the fall of a horse ; the grave was dug very shallow ; scarcely a foot of earth was placed over the cotlin ; at all events, the body was placed there and buried with usual ceremonies. Some of deceased's acquaintances considered tho grave too shallow, and had the body disinterred. The grave was made deeper, and the body again consigned to rest, the solemn formula again being performed over it. December 4th. A change has again taken place in the weather, the morning being ushered in with gentle showers of rain. The detachment of the Ist Waikato Regiment of Waikato Militia from the Wairou arrived here yesterday evening, taking the place of the Auckland Militia, who left earlier in the day, and who expect to be in Auckland this morning. Some military movements took place yesterday and this morning. The Gth Company of the Commissariat Transport Corps, under the command of Captain Moir, arrived troin Penrose en route ior Rangariri. Such a force of heavy teams aucl packhorses at our most advanced post certainly looos as if tho General found it incumbent that he should follow the natives to their strongholds, since, with all their boasted valour, they decline I o show fight without being followed into almost impenetrable fastnesses. The roadway to Rangariri is now open (he whole \vny, and anyone from Auckland or elsewhere disposed to pay a visit to that- renowned place, can ride thither without obstruction, of course taking the risk of a stray shot. Wo have heard of no Maoris on this side of the Waikato river for some days, and there are several instances of parties having ridden and driven through the road south of this without molestation ; such cases I believe were urgent, but are by no means advisable. Orderlies now leave Rnngiriri at about 8 o'clock in the morning! and arrive in Auckland at G in the evening, taking up despatches at the various posts on the way. The Maori | prisoner who had his shoulder amputated is Biuce dead; the other two, one of whom had an arm | taken off, are both doing favourably, as ulso the remainder of our wounded with tho exception of Lieut. Duerow, who it is said will have to undergo the operation of ampxitation of his leg ; poor fellow, J

he has suffered much pain and is still very weak. A detachment of about 150 of tho 50th regiment has left Drury, and are on their way to relieve those of the 18th regiment, who occupy posts on tho south road; and who are going on to the frontier. Wo have but few soldiers here now.