MAORI PERCUSSION CAPS!

Colonist, Volume VI, Issue 623, 13 October 1863, Page 6

MAORI PERCUSSION CAPS!

(From the New Zealander.J We have, fxom time to time, in our columns, endeavored to exhibit the ingenuity of the Maoris—or of European miscreants among them—in the application of social necessaries and in the conversion of commercial articles to implements of war. Marbles and wooden plugs hare been substituted for rifle bullets: and copper coin has been eagerly sought to be purchased in order to its transmutation to a like projectile. Gunpowder of their own manufacture has been produced: the last, and probably the most ingenious invention, being their substitution ;for gun caps of which they are reported to be very short. The principle ingredient in this patent invention is the composition end of a lucifer match. This was at first inserted in a used-up copper cap. A brighter idea, however, has latterly illumined their scheming brains, and a more complete and successful project we have, never looked upon. The project of which we speak is to procure those little brass tubes, used for the purpose of eyelet holes in the lacing of Balniaral and other ankle boots. This tube may be either charged with, the lucifer end and then placed upon the gun nipple and fired ; or it may be fixed upon the rifle as a stationary recipient [of the lucifer composition and fired again, again, and' again. We ourselves were, yesterday* witnesses of; the experiment, which was pre-eminently successful, ! and we have now in our possession one of thesa eye* let hole and extemporised percussion caps, which, j like the Prussian needle, after three discharges, is as i bright and as intact as ever. Might not the Birmingham and other "cap" manufacturers.take "a wrinkle " from Maori ingenuity —and does it not beI hove the New Zealand Government to keep a bright | look out. on what are, or may be turned to imple ; ments of native.warfape ? ,» ,-.

ThePikebb. —This vessel arrived on Wednesday night, the 30th.ult., from Sydney, on her way to take up the inter-provincial service, hitherto performed by the Airedale. She is a fine vessel, being within 90 tons of the capacity of the largest of the I. R. M.: Company's boats, the Prinoe Alfred, and comes from the same builder, Denny of Dumbarton. She is registered at 613 tons, is 172 feet long, 26 feet beam, and 15 feet depth of hold. Her engines are on the inverted cylinder, or " steam hammer" principle, of 120 horse power, nominal, but can work up to 250. Diameter of cylinder 44 inches, length of stroke 2 feet 9 inches j and her boilers are quite new. She has a raised poop and is barque rigged. The saloon is most handsomely decorated in colonial cedar, and the cabins are elegantly and comfortably fitted up. The whole of this portion of her interior arrangement has been carried out under the superintendence of her present commander Captain W. Woods, and the effect pro. duced reflects much credit upon the taste with which the work has been directed. Accommodation for 60 passengers has been provided in cabin room, while the saloon itself is provided with seats ao constructed that on turning down the seats additional beds are formed. The forward berths are 40 in number, each containing complete lavatory fittings. The fora 'tween decks can also be converted into a receptacle for (steer* age) passengers. The Phoebe left Sydney at seven p.m. on the 25th ult., and experienced north and west winds with heavy sea for three days, afterwards light southerly winds to Cape Farewell, which she reached at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, and Nelson before 10 the same evening. The Phosbe lefton Saturday for southern poi+a—as far as Canterbury, whence she returns to Nelson, when Captain Kennedy* will take command of her, we believe permanently, the Airedale being intended for the Sydney trip with the mail on the 13th, when she will b«-nid up for a refit and now boilers.—Ctofow*, Oct. q, •"■