THE SIEGE OF ALEXANDRA.—THE CITALEL STILL HELD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 4666, 27 October 1876, Page 3

THE SIEGE OF ALEXANDRA.—THE CITALEL STILL HELD.

The resolute commander of this hitherto impregnable fortress was undisturbed during Wednesday night, and arose on Thursday morning with hi/3 determination to hold out to the last unchanged. At 10 a.m. he opened communication with the outer world in the usual manner —the opening of the Durhamstreet window —and reported progress to his friends. When we made our midday visit, he was expatiating at great length upon his grievances to a crowd of sympathising listeners. Mr. Campbell's bailiff was standing beside him, and heard the sorrowful recital with tear - bedimmed eyes while a bntk «f pain passed over his expressive countenance. We understand that Mr. Pulleng is to be charged with a breach of the Licensing Act for not having his lamp lit on Wednesday night— hence bis voluble outpouring of indignation and grief. During the course of the day fresh victuals were passed into the garrison, the memb rs of which seemed languishing for a breath of fresh air. Mr. Pnlleng, however, makes known his unflinching determination to hold out. On no consideration other than a redressal of his wrongs will he consent to an evacuation of the position. A fresh diversion or sally was made by the besiegers yesterday, but it proved unsuccessful. As the bailiff*, it is said, are receiving £1 a day for their trouble, they are content to await the course of events, and do not seem at all anxious to rudely dislodgethe "man in possession." During the day Mr. Tyler paid a visit to the fort, and held a consultation with his client, Mr. Pulleng. The noiL'tibiiurs seem tofeelforthecommander, and hi«t night a number of them were congregated at the door, where they busied themselves in making speculations as to whether the passers-by were bums or spies. With great consideration they lit the lamp at the desire of Pulleng, who, at all events, is anxious not to commit another infraction of the law. At a late hour last night the solitude was only broken at long intervals by the sound of some pedestrian's footsteps as he plodded homeward.