THE TAMAKI LINE OF DEFENCE.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 128, 14 November 1885, Page 7

THE TAMAKI LINE OF DEFENCE.

(FROM THE AUCKLAND " STAR " When the news reached town early this morning that an assault on the city by an armed cruiser was imminent, and that in all possibility an attempt would be made by the enemy to effect a landing on the coast to the eastward of the harbour, Col. Lyon, the officer commanding the district, at once took measures to counteract these tactics. The attempt to effect an entrance into the harbour it was decided to leave entirely to the tender mercies of the guns of Fort Cautley, the North Head, and Fort Resolution on the point of the same name. The guns on Fort Resolution vere manned by a company of the New Zealand Regiment of Artillery— the Parnell corps, and that the Colonel had not overrated the ability of the3e fortresses to repel the enemy's cruiser the sequel will show. The plan of defence decided on had this merit : it enabled the commandant to utilise the bulk of his forces against the contemplated attack by a landing party. A general order was speedily issued, and in accordance therewith, the several infantry companies, brigaded in two battalions, mustered on the paddock at the rear of Government House. The genius of militarism seems to haunt this locality. A portion of the wall of the paddock is the old embrasured wall of the Auckland barracks, the scene of many old time military pomps and page- 1 ants, while in Albert Park near by -also a portion of the old barracks — blackmouthed, sullen -looking cannon of obsolete pattern frown down on the placid scene beneath. In these days of rapid advancement, when the science of war, by long strides, keeps pace with the arts and sciences of peace, weapons soon become old-fashioned ; and these guns, once the pride of old Todleben (the brave defender of Sebastopol), are consigned to the limbo of uselessness, and have started on the ornamental business. But this is all by the way. The clear note of the bugle was just sounding the assembly as I reached the parade ground. Field officers in gay uniforms and on fully- accoutred horses were galloping about the green sward, while the markers of a dozen companies were hurrying up to their places at the double. First and foremost was the Engineers, a company of fine stalwart men mustering fully 40 strong. Then came the Hob3on Rifles, 50 ; the City Guards, 83 — a company that would do credit to any regiment in the British Army ; the Victoria Company with upwards of 50, the Thames Rifle Rangers, 40. Behind these were the new corps enrolled just before the present outbreak of hostilities with the subjects of the Emperor of all the Russias. The most a jtractive-looking of these were the Queen's Own, a warehousemen's corps— fine strapEing young fellows, looking well in the neat tting uniform of grey, grey helmets, and leathern gaiters. Their strength was 50. The Gordon Rifles, spruce and soldier-like, were upwards of 40, while the Ponsonby Rifles 60, College Rifles 56, Newton Rifles 47, Wairoa Rifles 37, Whangarei Rifles 27, and Veterans 49, completedv^he muster of combatant. Drawn up at the rear of the battalions was the Ambulance Corps, under the command of Surgeon Dawson, distintinguished by a red cross flag and red cross arm badges. No. 1 battalion was placed under the command of Captain Dignan, with Captain Isaacs as Adjutant, while the second battalion was commanded by Captain Mahon— the hero of the battle of Mount Mahon —Captain D. B. McDonald, of the Ponsonby Rifles, acting as Adjutant. The Cavalry Muster. While the Infantry were mustering at Government House, the Cavalry troops, which had mustered in different parts of the town, assembled at the Domain hollow. The first troop to arrive was the Te Awamutu, 50 strong, under Major Jackson. They looked well, though some of their horses were poor. SergeantMajor Carley put the troops to pursuing practice, subsequently drawing up in extended column. The Waiuku Cavalry, with Captain Hamlin in command, were next on the ground, 60 strong, and they were followed by a new corps— the South Franklin Mounted Infantry, 45 strong. Their uniform is a blue tunic with yellow facings, grey trousers, and French shako. There was but a small detachment of the Auckland Troop on the ground, the bulk of the men being away on escort duty with Colonel Sir George Whitmore, Colonel Lyon, Major Shepherd, and the A Battery of Artillery. In the last-named service they were assisted by a detachment of newly-raised Auckland Lancers. The regiment of cavalry having been inspected by Major Jackson, moved on for St. John's College, via Newmarket. The A Battery of Artillery, under Major Burns and Captain Payne, had aaaerrbled at the Drill- shed early in the morning, and two gun detachments were by 9 o'clock en route to the same point. The remainder of the battery joined the infantry column, to the movements of which I must now address myself. The parade states having been handed in to the officer commanding, the column, headed by the band, marched to the Auckland Railway Station, and were speedily entrained in train composed of three engines and thirty carriages. It had been at first intended to detrain a portion of the force at Green Lane, and carry the remainder to Bllerslie, a junction being effected at St. John's College Roadi Acting on information received, however, Colonel Lyon detrained his whole force a\ Green Lane, whence the column marched via Green Lane to St. John's College. The Artillery formed the vanguard, while de tachments of the Queen's Own composec the rear guard. When the rising grounc was reached, and a view of the harbou: obtained, the enemy's cruiser was seen ii the offing, and as it was apparent that th landing had not then been effected, the mci were permitted to enliven their march wit] Bongs. Along a mile past the College, junction of the whole defending force wa reached, and your special has to ackno-w ledge the hospitality of the commissary ( the A Battery. It was 10.30 when aha was called ; a consultation took place b< tween the Colonel and officers commandic battalions*

An Alarm. 1.10 p.m. The No. 2 Battalion.— Mahon's command bivouacked in a pleasant hawthorn-fringed road at Tamaki West, Colonel Lyon making a villa overlooking the harbour his headquarters. The first battalion was marched off to Panmure, the plan of our j commander apparently being to prevent the enemy to land and surround nim. The No. 2 Battalion spent fully an hour enjoying themselves under the hawthorn, instructions being given to keep out of sight. The Victoria Company and half a company of the Newton Rifles were sent out to guard the left of our position, while the glinting of the sun on polished steel showed that the cavalry outposts had not been forgotten. Suddenly there was a movement, and it was apparent that Colonel Lyon had received information from the right of the line of defence. The second battalion promptly fell in at the word of command, and the South Franklin Mounted Rifles and the small arms detachment of the A Battery were sent off on the road towards St. Heliers Bay. 1.15 p m. Immediately after my last message was despatched, the Auckland Cavalry, who had been out on a scouting expedition, brought information that the enemy's flotilla was making towards the Tamaki River. In consequence of this intelligence, the Mounted Rifles and Artillery received orders to advance. These corps came to a halt in a position overlooking the first reaches of the Tamaki ; but, so far the main body have not seen the foe. The remainder of the second battalion have also been marched to this position ; the Mounted Rifles have dismounted, and all is expectancy. I write this in the Commissary cart, while a heavy storm is gathering. 1.30 p.m. While the troops were resting, the rain descended in torrents, and though a good deal of shelter was afforded by the hedges, many got wet through. One of the Te Awamutu Cavalry horses was seriously injured just now. Its rider collided with an express, driven by a man named Ball. The shaft of the cart entered the horses flank to a depth of IS inches, and torrents of )lood flowed from the wound. Colonel Whitmore, accompanied by Capts. Daveny and Dargaville as aides, has just arrived. 1.35. News has been received tbat the enemy has effected a landing at the trig station, and the column has marched to the pine avenue near Heliers Bay Wharf. The artillery are preparing to fire on the invaders.

The Hotchkiss Gun. The Hotchkiss gun on board the Hinernoff, was used for the first time this morning, during the progress of the fight. The gun was worked under the direction of Captain Fairchildoffsky, by Mr Blackwood, chief engineer, of the Hinernoff, assisted Mr Lenning, of the Naval Reserve. The firing was not very rapid at first, owing to the fact that old cartridges, which had expanded, were used, and jammed in fie breech. When the new cartridges were used, however, the firing became much more rapid, and a speed of about fifteen shots per minute was attained. Mr Blackwood is quite satisfied that he could have increased this to 40 per minute had it been necessary. The Chambers of the gun are worked on the revolver principle, with a closing breech. The experiments may be described as thoroughly successful.

Close of the Fight. The Sham Fight of yesterday between a supposition force of invading Russians and the local Volunteers proved a long and keenly-contested struggle, and we were unable to give the results of the combat in last night's issue. It was between five and six o'clock before stragglers from the forces engaged began to arrive in the city, wet, bedraggled, dirty, and weary with their exertions. "Mother, is the battle over?" was the anxious question of many a youngster, as the grimy warriors returned from their bloodless victory, and there was, no doubt, a feeling of relief in not a few breasts when I assured that the enemy had been thwarted and there was no danger of the lovely city of Auckland being given over to the tender mercies of a ruthless foe. We continue our account of the final struggle on the snores of the Tamaki from the point at which we left off last night. The Russian Landing.

The Ponsonby and Onehunga Navals landed at the West Tamaki Head, their intention being to make for Auckland by way of the Orakei bridge, or, failing this, to make the best way towards joining the main body. They went past the main body, met the enemy, and after a protracted struggle, fought their way back to their boats. The Auckland Navals, Thames Navals, and Coastguards, under Captain Wildtnan, proceeded to Sandy Point in the Black Diamond. She took the ground suddenly, and the naval pinnace, crammed with men, ran into her stern. The pinnace suffered severely, her bow oeing smashed in and considerable other damage done. A number of the men proceeded shoreward in the cutter, which took the ground about 400 yards from the water's edge, and there was no alternative but that they should wade through, the water being over their knees. Another party proceeded in the pinnace to the end of the spit where the water was deeper, but from whence they had a very long tramp to reach the land. The first party landed, proceeded towards Auckland as smartly as possible, firing having been heard in the vicinity of St. Hellier's Bay.

The Battle. They were soon engaged, the Artillery firing upon them from a great distance inland. The party that landed at the extreme end of the spit pressed on to join the others, and succeeded in effecting a junction. As the whole body reached the top of a ridge they observed the enemy in force immediately ahead, and every man lay down in the wet grass, the order being that they should watch for an opportunity, and fire against the enemy, who were dispersed in hiding amongst small gullies. Observing some of the shore force walking round, as though to outflank a portion of the attacking party, the latter adopted similar tactics, and a movement in that direction was made by Capt. Wildman's Company, but seeing some horsemen riding around them, every one was ordered to be silent, and the Russians marched through an orchard behind a hawthorn hedge. When they reached the exit to this friendly lane the horsemen were out of sight. The party then proceeded to the assistance of some of their comrades who were fighting againßt the Veterans. The latter were retreating down the side of a gully. At this moment the Devonport Navals (which after having once been driven back to their boats had effected a successful landing) marched up from St. Heliers Wharf and took up a position with the rest of the Russians, go that had an umpire been present he must have declared the Veterans to be prisoners. As it was, they escaped that ignominy. From here the Devonport Navals skirmished and proceeded up the main road, driving their enemies before them slowly. When they got well up the road, ]the majority got i through the fence on one side, leaving ten

men to guard the passage. The A Battery of Artillery then oame up with one gun, and fired down the road, but their fire was harmless, the attaoking party being hid behind the trees on either side of the road. As soon as the gun was discharged on eaoh oooasion the Russians, attempted to shoot the gunners, with what measure of success we have not yet heard. Being outnumbered by a portion of the A Battery, with small arms, Captain Wildman's party was forced to beat a hasty retreat down the road, closely followed by the Artillery for about 100 yards. They then suoceeded, joiuing'the remainder of the Navals, who were slowly driving their enemies backward. A most exciting battle took place in an open space surrounded by high bushes, behiud which the defence party were ecattered, appearing at intervals.

Cap lure of Wairoa Rifles. The Onehunga and Ponsonby Navals, under Captains Hulse and Morpeth, were very successful. They penetrated as far as St. Ann's Bridge, and engaged a large body of rifles. Eventually they were driven back to their boats by the City Guards, Thames, and Wairoa Rifles, and another corps. On their retreat they were so well handled that they took Captain Crawfords Wairoa Rifles prisoners. Surprise was expressed that the retreat of the Navals was not cut off

The Decision. The other Navals advanced repeatedly charging lustily, and they considered their victory certain, when Sir George Whitinore came forward and declared I the battle "drawn." He told Captain Commandant Leßoy that the road at one time was quite open to his forces to enter Auckland, but that he had not taken advantage of the opportunity. However, he added, he had done very well indeed. The Commandant replied that such might have been the case, but that he could not see far into the country, and did not know what was behind.

The Navals Claim a Victory, He also stated that whilst the fighting was going on he sent Petty Officer bcullen and twelve men ashore. They evaded the defenders and marched into Auckland. Another party under Lieutenant Parker, he said,was also in Auckland. They were supposed to have come in from the Kussian cruiser before daylight in order to take soundings, and to have landed and got into ambush as a forlorn hope, so that in event of the defence forces being beyond their line, they could proceed on to Auckland to extract the bullion from the banks, then proceed to the wharf, seize the Birkenhead steamer, proceed to the Wade, and thence go in their boats to the war cruiser in the channel. This was carried out, excepting that the party did not go further than the seizing of the steamer, owing to the heavy down pour of rain. They also claim credit for lowering the British flag, and hoisting in its stead, the Russian flag on the flag-staff at the Albert Park, When Sir George Whitmore heard this, he appeared to look upon it as a joke, but the Commandant assured himthat it was perfectly correct, whilst Colonel Lyon looked quite puzzled. At all events the battle was over, and both parties made the beat of their way back to Auckland, the casualties on both sides beiner very light.

Casualties. Seaman Spinley, of the Ponsonby Navals, sustained severe injury to his hand yestesday during the attack. The wound was attended to by Dr. Erson. Seaman Flewellyn, of the Ponsonby Navals, was scaling a fence when he dislocated his ankle. He was sent to town in a hansom. Seaman F. Bartley, of the Devonport Navals, was withdrawing his hand from a biscuit tin on the Hinemoa, when he sustained a Bevere wound, which was dressed by Dr. Erson. A horse belonging to Mr McKellar, of the Customs, which was in a paddock near to Fort Cautley, was so frightened by the heavy cannonading that it expired on the spot. Mr Pasley, Sheep Inspector, when returning from Tamaki, was accidentally knocked down and had his collarbone dislocated.

The Defenders. We give the conclusion of yesterday's sham fight as Been by our reporter with the second battalion of the defending force :— A detachment of the enemy landed at St. Heliers wharf, but were observed by Captain McDonald, and the College Rifles, by welldirected volleys, drove them back to their boat. The fighting now became general along the line of St. Heliers Creek, a sharp engagement taking place between the enemy and the first battalion on the Tamaki Road. The second battalion coming up, the repulse of the attacking force was achieved. They were compelled to wade to their boats under a withering fire from the City Guards and Engineers. This concluded the battle, and the metv marched back to town, the last detach ment reaching Queen-street at 8 o'clock.