THE MELBOURNE VOLUNTEERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume I, Issue 84, 19 February 1864, Page 3

THE MELBOURNE VOLUNTEERS.

We take the following description of the men of the AVaikato Militia, as given in the Melbourne Argus : — " The men who have yielded to the tempting offers of the Xew Zealand Government wore on Saturday last embarked on board the 'U-reeham,' which ship lias been chm-tered by Colonel Pitt for their conreyanco to Auckland. Some 350 are now assembled <m board, the majority being stout able fellows, whom it is a real pity to lose. They are certainly of a much superior class to those who volunteered upon, the occasion of the gallant Colonel's former vieit, rery little of the loafer element being distinguishable amongst them; nevertheless, we recognised-a'few individual? who have been in the habit for the lsit twelve months of " living on their means," and sleeping auywhure, and 60 fur as they were concerned we thought chut the New Zealand " crimping" agent* had done us a service. '.The men all ecom in high epints, ! SSf« aVmUes II a h«d of hair like a ™ P> for the Maoris we're required." " Commercial taarelier sir," replied t« our enquiries a gentleman in an invisible blue tout am! a im'J'waiflcout, and with a Mr. Jinglo habit of (.-lipping li:a wordb—"commercial travallcr, grocery and tjiidc, sir; but—tbnee— b!nl, cae't niiko hri:!<: ; in-sides vir.t"eidtebent— r;lviit v ' bv :'or:^.—aid I'll toio a. witi

many who have experienced " hard times" in the colony, the motive which hna led them to enlist seems rather to have been lhat yearning for change nnd novelty which is so prominent a characteristic of our roving population. Few seem te have been actually driven to volunteer from necessity, the majority of them being well and decently dressed, and with little of the external signs, at any rate, of actual povertySeated apart from the others, on a spar or a coil of rope, we saw the " old liund," with pipe in mouth, and rather a dubious expression of countenance, chewing the cud of reflection, and evidently doubtful as to whether he had done a wise thing in selling himself for three years for 2s. Cd. a day, and (lie hazy prospect of a few acres of laud ; and a few of j the older and more experienced of the recruit* are by no means so elated with their prospect us the younger portion. However, they're in for it now, most of them having received their three months' advance, and by this time spent, the money. Gentlemen of (lie Hebrew persuasion who " do bills" and such like !iavo done a roaring trade amongst the victims, who g>l something like £5 out of the advance note, ami spend that in a debauch. The ship hr,-. beeii well i fitted up for the accommodation of the men, the 'tween decks, which are roomy and well ventilated, being Smed. on each, side with" bunks and rows of tables'; and even- care seemed to hnve been given to the comfort and health of the recruits. The oHii-ers in charge of the first " batch" of volunteers, which will probably bo augmented by recruits from the country districts, and those enlisted during the next two days in town, will be Messi-s. Pennefeather, Sissm, Clarke, and Jackson. The recruiting will be proceeded with today, and ti.e ' Grcshami' whieh will by that time have her full complement on board, will sail on Tuesday night or 'Wednesday morning."