EIGHTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26783, 28 May 1948, Page 4

EIGHTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

FROM THE FILES OF THI ©tago Bail? fttmes DUNEDIN, MAY 28, 1863. The New. Zealander of the 9th inst says: “We learn from a variety of authorities on which we can place some reliance that a despatch has been transmitted to Major Ryan, in command of the detachment of the 70th Regiment-, stationed at Dunedin, instructing him to proceed forthwith to Galle, and to make a telegraphic communication thence to Bombay, for the immediate embarkation of one European and two Sikh regiments for New Zealand. We have frequently before had rumours relative to the employment, of Sikhs on service here; this time it is probable that the rumour may be found to be no figment, but an indisputable fact.”

We are indebted, says the Daily Times, to the courtesy of Captain Ogilvie, of the schooner Canterbury, for a copy of the Wellington Independent of the 16th and also an extra of that date. In these publications it is stated: “The rumoured defeat of the Natives is confirmed. From private intelligence we learn that Major Logan, of the 57th, attacked the rebels in full force and succeeded in driving them off the Tataramaika redoubt. The Natives admit the loss of 100. We have this entirely from a Native report received in Wanganui on the 13th. Our correspondent (on whom we place great reliance) considers the intellifence perfectly creditable, and we ave no hesitation in putting it before the public at our earliest convenience.”

“ The following letter from Pehi Turoa (one of the principal chiefs on the river) to the Wanganui settlers , has been handed to us for publica- ■ non by Mr Charles Broughton, who arrived here last evening from a meet-' ing at Raurika, on the Wanganui River, at which were present about 800 Natives: —‘Raurika, May 12, 1863.—G0 this my letter to the town and all the pakehas. Friends, this is my word to you. Don’t think there will be any fighting on this our river, viz., the Wanganui. Do not let the settlers living on their lands be frightened, let them remain where they are. If the pakehas want to fight, let them go to Taranaki and fight, and if the Maoris want to fight, let them go there also. This is my word, do you remain quietly on your own lands. The de- . cision of making war at will not be unknown to me. Don’t pay any attention to the words of people passing your way—the whole matter rests with me. This is all I have to say. Although other tribes are absent and their thoughts are unknown, the decision rests with me, and the deter-,-fnination of what is to be done. That is all". From me. From Pehi Turoa.’ ”