NORTHERN NEWS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 1171, 3 October 1865, Page 5

NORTHERN NEWS.

MAJOR'-VON" TEMPSKT'S RESIGNATION AND ARREST.

(Abrigedfrom the Few Zealand Advertuer, 25th . September.) . 1 " It is with more than ordinary reluctance we approach the consideration of the facts which led to the arrest of Major Yon Tempsky, of the Foreet Rangers, yesterday; but the case having become co notorious, and opinions the most conflicting having been expressed on the subject, for j thfi sake of truth and justice we must enter upon a detailed narrative. Our readers will recollect that owing to a proposed reduction in the pay of Major Yon Tempsky's rangers, who hid volunteered for service on the East Coast, of from 4s 2d to 3s 6d per day, the men, in the absence of their commander, refused to proceed on duty to the East Coast. . On Major Yon Tenipsky'a arrival in Wellington the other day, the Forest Rangers were brought up from Wangnnui, and expressed their readiness to proceed anywhere under their old commander. The difficulty which stcod ir« the way of employing this valuable corps against the Hau-haus was thereby removed, and up to late on Saturday afternoon nothing occurred to cause the slightest suspicion that any misunderstanding would arise. But, unfortunately for the public service, matters did not proceed so pleasantly afterwards. On Major Yon Tempsky proceeding to the Defence Office for final orders, previous to embarkation next morning in the Lord Ashley, he received written instructions to proceed to Waiapu, on the East Coast, and to place himself and his men under the command of Lieut-Colonel Fra=er.

On recei>?ng this order, Major Yon Tempaky at once wrote oat his resignation. He felt that a personal insult had been put upon him ; that a junior officer, of but recent standing in the1 Colonial Force, was promoted over his head, and that in this promotion ; his own services ha, been altogether overlooked. Major Yon Tempsky resigned; and his resig nation was not accepted. WcbelKve we are justified in stating that Major Yon Tempsky lefc the Defence Office and proceeded to his private residence without communicating the fact of his resignation to any one. He carefully concealed it from hia snbalterns and the men; and it was not communicated to them till yesterJay morning, when L'eut. Westrupp called upon Major Van Tempsky for orders, and was informed by him that he had resigned his cornmind, and that it would be Mr Westrupp's duty- to put himself in communication w'th the Defence Minister and act according to orders. This he did ; and it was Xiieutenant Weslrupp who informed the men on the wharf that their com mandaut was not proceeding with them. What followed this" announcement is matter of public notoriet}'. The meu absolutely refused to proceed. They were willing to follow Major Yon Tempsky anywhere, but express! a most determined disinclination to serve without him; in fact, several of the man were in a mutinous state, upd tbe entire corps were fast drifting into open mti'iny. Lient. Westrupp was sent from the Defence Office to Major Yon Ternpsky, with a request that he would proceed to the wharf and induce his men to.proceed on board. This he declined to do, on the ground that his presence amongst the men, combined with the fact that he was not going with them, would prouuee \he very opposite effect. In short, he judged, and wi-tly judged,, that the men, who were rapidly becoming detnor.iliied, . would iJcntify themselves with his personal case, and altogether refuse duty. The event proved that he was light. Lieut. Westrupp (who-^e conduct throughout the trying circumstances was bej ond all praise), having obtained command of the company, paraded the nun and called for volunteers, telling them that all who remained bhind would obtain their discharges. This appeal was not ineffectual, as between thirty and. forty (uiirtyeight, we believe, out 'of a corps of sixty rank and file), proceeded on b.iard the Lord A-hley, which had been 'detained! in the harbor, after the start, by .order of the Government. Tjhei remainder 'of the men pitched tents on a piece of level ground in the Terrace, where they remained' last night, without displaying any mutinous conduct.

In the morning, Major Yon Terap*ky was sent for by the Deteuce Minister, and asked whether he was prepared to proceed to the East Coast in obedience to orders. He still re. fused, and intimated that he would not proceed on the expedition aft.-r the treatmerit lie; had received ; whereupon the Defence Minister disnrsied him with, n severe' reprimand for h/.s want of respect for the hca-i of his 'department, and an inumation that he,ivas.only savdd from the consequences;,of .the Minister's displeasure, from the fact thit he was a foreigner (ind'tuereiore ignorant of English customs. ! -"■'."■ ' VV re dpn't say phe word on this point. Thosa who know Major' Yon Tetnpsky, ;md who know "the Djfeijca Minister, will idraw their own..'odnclasions;" those wjjo ;know neither of those gentlemen may draw whatever conclusions they please. We are simply dealing with iftcts; and this minute rec:ta'! is nece?sary,fdr a complete undsrstanding of the natter. Major Yon Tenit«ky left the Defence Office after receiving the severe rcprimmd alluded to; and" within lulf. att hoar he received additional orders in writing from the Defence Office!, declining to acc.pt his resignation, and commanding hiiri 'to proceed to Napier /with his men, and report himself to the commanding officer there*, who wonid give him further instructions-: fife1-' replied, we believe, pressing on the Deience Miuister the acceptance of his resignation. Again he was "instructed from the Defence Office to proceed to Napier, ami again his resignation was not accepted ; and once more he wrote declining altogether to serve in the New Zealnnd Militia. -

Meanwhile Lieutenant Westrupp had Fecured more than half the company as volunteers, and sailed in the Lord A«hley; and at 3 o'clock Captain Kirwan, of the Wellington Militia, ealWd upon Major Yon Temp*ky, and communicated bis order to place him under close.'arrest. And under close arrest Major Yon Tempsky wa9 placed accordingly, tha officer who: discharged this tinpleasaut duty: taking away hisI'sword. ' ■■•..■■■•■

(Prom th»',Jk<lvertticr. Sept 29.)' V 5 1 -" itd utiderston'a'thiir'tnis gallant'offifeer bai been released Irom dose arrest, bat U

still a prisoner on parole. An investigation will take place bs soon as possible. It fis stated that Colonel Ilaultain will be president of the Board of Enquiry. The re-appearance of Yon Terapsky in pablic was the subject yesterday of many congratulations, which must have been most pleasing to him, as indicating the sympathy which all hold in common for a man who has proved bis bravery in the field, and who has never shrunk from the post of danger when duty called him.

MURDER OF A NATIVE WHILE BEAIUtfG THE PEACtf PROCLAMATION TO WAITOTAKA.

The steamer Wonga Wonga arrived this morning from Waneanui, bringing intelligence to the effect that the native Kereti, appointed to convey the Governor's proclamation of peace to the rebels at Waitotara, was murdered by them. In a letter, brought by the same vessel, and dated the 25th instant, occurs the following confirmatory paragraph: — " Tbe native who took out the peace proclamation to Waitotara was shot down. Seven bullets were found in his body. Signs of peace! I knew him well — Kereti, one of White's native policemen." In answer to a question on the subject, the Hon. the Defence Minister stated in the House to-day tbat he had received despatches during the morning from the district, but nothing confirmatory of or having reference to the statement. Probably the reason why despatches o*l the subject have not reached the Government is simply that the Wonga W.mga was advertised for the Wanganui and Taranaki trade, and half an hour after her arrival at the former place yesterday she was despatched to this port without the know ledge of the people, and carried with her a supplementary mail. —Wellington Post, Sept 26.

We have heard from excellent authority that the native Kereti, who was so foully murdered at Waitotara the other day while carrying the Peace Proclamation, wns the victim of vile treachery. Pending the receipt of further information relative to this matter we refrain from comment, but we miy briefly state the facts as told to us. It app>.:rs that one of the Maori prisoners was liberated from the hulk Mnnulcau upon strong representations being nude to the effect that be was a most loyal man. This native, it is stated, accompanied Kereti when he carried forth the Peace Proclamation, but by some means or other he got in alvance of him, and, it is sunposeil, upon what grounds we know not, that he informed the rebels of bis presence, and the object of his companion's mission. That Kt-reii was murdered is very certain—that he was stripped naked where he was slain is also a matter of fact—but what hand the native who bad been liberated from the Mmukan as a loyal man had in the commission of the fi'nl deed we do not know, although rumor insinuates against him the most diabolical treachery. We anxiously await further information upon this point.— X. Z. Advertiser, Sept. 29.