PORT WAIKATO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume I, Issue 255, 6 September 1864, Page 3

PORT WAIKATO.

33y the 1 "Wonga Woiifjn,' which arrived yesterday evening in the Manukati, from the South, touching lit Port. AVaikato, we learn that there is a gnat complaint amongst tlie settlers and traders of that place witli respect to the numerous robberies committed on their property. It is said that these robberies are mainly committed by soldiers; it'so, we would draw the attention ot* the military authorities to ivlmt, if allov.vd to continue, cannot, but bring disgrace upon tlie serviec. The following case lias been related to us by the sullerer:—Mr. Jlenry Allen, who is now establishing stores upon the Waikato, having placed his goods on hoard a Government barge for Alexandra, then laying alongside the wharf, had been broken open by two soldiers, and one cask of beer was taken therefrom. The thieves must have had io carry the same over the deck of the ' Susannah Cuthbert' to get. to the wharf. Through the energy of Sergeant Quin, of the 14th regiment, two men were found to have been missing from their quarters at the time of the robbery, and knowing them to be of an indifferent character, the sergeant kept- a strict lookout on their movements. At about ten a.m. the suspected parties came within hail of the sentry at the guard hut. On being challenged by the sergeant to come forward, one of the two hesitated tome little time, such time being occupied in extruding thiee bottles of ale from the cask which they had carried lo within a short dietance of the oilicert>' quarters. Ther.o bcUlee he placed uuder his coat, aud they ners found upon hiia bf Sfraeiml Quimi<

Some time after the arreat of these two men, one of them spoke in a low whisper to Nerceant Quinii, | and paid he had something (jiitsii.li' that he ami his | comrade wished to make away with. to save them from | dinj;rai;ed. rier:*eint Quiim a.-ked what ihal was. ami they aeknowled'r-d that it. w. 3 ;i end* M 11-- | then sent a rOi'poral and twi. men the .r i;s ;j?i ; escort, «u<! rarrie 1 th«:aloiv>}ii(i übi U> ; i'in: in.jn wcis-y ht'fMtght ijufV.ie the u i-i'-nt ! jNlagistrate, I\lr. lv. O. BLewa.il, and to I takes their trial at the present Ku.ssion*.

The sMTjie (Mejiing* the (.''unmis-ariat Stores were broken into ami a (juantity «•!' liquor stolen, also a cask of ale or .stout to Mr. Simpson, st<»i,ekoeper, was pillaged oi'all itd e»mtentH, except six bottles, while on hoard one of the government- barges. \ esterday morning a man was charged before Afr. Ft.ewart with attempting to steal a keg of butter from Mr. Simpson's store. The evidence wa« not conclusive, and the man was discharged. Great credit due, wetelieve, to Sergeant Quin for his activity anil energy in general, but the time has fully arrived when the law must bo vindicated, nndtliesecurity of the eidbreedby the civil arm of the law. There is much we have heard respecting the doings at Port Waikato, which wc may refer to again after having made further enquiries into the matter.

The two soldiers committed for the robbery on Mr. -Mien's property came down as prisoners in the Wonga Wonga.'