ARRIVAL OF THE " GREAT TASMANIA."

Taranaki Herald, Volume VIII, Issue 409, 2 June 1860, Page 3

ARRIVAL OF THE " GREAT TASMANIA."

DREADTUL SUFFERINGS ON BOARD. The clipper ship, Great Tasmania arrived at this port, from Calcutta, on Thursday morning, with detachments of the 3rd Bengal, 3rd Madras, and sth Bengal Infantry, some of the men of the Bengal Artillery, and of the Ist, 2nd, and 3rd Light Cavalry; the total number of soldiers being 937, besides 20 officers. Between sixty and seventy had died on the voyage. The scene on board was heartrending. More than 300 men were suffering either from scurvy or dysentry, and of these about 140 were in such a state that, had the arrival of the ship been delayed much longer, their death was inevitable. Many of them lay upon the deck, and others, fortunate enough to have been provided with hammocks, were without any other covering than their wearing apparel. Their appearance was pitiful, and in some instances sickening. Men who a few months ago weie hale and heaity were literally reduced to skeletons by long continued dysentry, their bones and sinews being only covered by skin, and their faces, pallid and emaciated, more like those of corpses than of living beings. On the evening of the ship's arrival about a hundred of the sufferers were taken, to the Workhouse in spring carts. A message had been previously sent to Mr Cavr, the governor of the Workhouse, requesting him to send down something to cover the invalids. Sixty rugs were returned, but they were insufficient, and the consequence was that about forty men were laid in the carts half nude. One man died on the way. He had on a pair of drawers and a flannel singlet, both saturated with wet. So, it is said, he had lain for weeks exposed to the weather, and so he died. His appearance was horrible, like that of a man who had been starved to death. Three more deaths occurred hefore the following night. The names of the deceased men are William Coleman, Thomas Beachy, James Pyett, and — Phillips. At the dead-house, Prince's Dock, are the bodies of three other men removed from the ship. Tho names of these are Thomas Holt, John Murphy, William Matthews. If the account given by the men is correct— and by parties evidently averse to affording information, it has been, in some measure, confirmed — there is a serious responsibility resting somewhere. It appears that these soldiers are a portion of those who, refusing to be transferred from the service of the East India Company to that of Her Majesty, without receiving the usual bounty given to recruits, were discharged and ordered to be sent home. The men saythat, under the circumstances, but little consideration was given to their comfort. A contract was entered into, to bring them home at £7 each, the Government undertaking to provide the stores. A lot of old stores, lying at Fort William, Calcutta, considered unfit for use there, were thought good enough for discharged soldiers, and these were placed on board. There is no doubt that at that time good provisions were dear in Calcutta, and the commander of the ship states that the first bread was so bad that, on his own responsibility, he returned it on shore. Better bread was sent, but this in a short time was as bad as the other. Living upon this stuff, with beef and tea as bad, the men soon became sick, some of scuivy, others of dysentery. When the ship arrived at St. Helena, the captain applied to the Governor, and a small quantity of provisions and water was sent on board. Three days afterwards the stores were found scarce, and the men were placed upon short allowance The question was asked why sufficient stores had not been obtained at St. Helena? Some said there was a mistake as to the quantity on board, but the men say the price was too high. The lime juice was so bad that the doctor condemned it as unfit for use i but even after this it was used. The sick list soon numbeied three hundred, all requiring attention from the hands of one surgeon and an assistant. Sickness was much increased by the want of proper covering. Four out of every ten men had to lay upon bare boards, and were glad to get even a coat to cover themselves. From the surgeon's report it appears that great exertions were made to prevent the spread of disease ; but these efforts were only paitially successful. In December the men began to die fast from dysentery, and for two months before the arrival of the ship scarcely a day passed without one poor fellow or more being launched into the sea. Scurvy began to show itself at the end of February, and spread fast, causing many deaths. This dreadful state of things became daily worse, until the vessel arrived in the Mersey, and it was not long before the circumstances were made known, aud every attempt was then made to provide for the accommodation oi the sufferers. Theie are now about 130 men at the Workhouse. They are supplied with the best of food, and receive all possible attention at the hands of Mr Carr, Dr. Gee, and the other gentlemen connected with the establishment. Mr Cropper, the chairman, and several members of the Woikhouse Committee, are almost constantly upon the premises. — Liverpool Albion, March 19.

A Hint in Season for the Higheii Powers. — One day, during Court, a great hulking fellow, armed with pistol and bowie knife, took ij upon himself to parade before the shanty courthoufco, and cursed judge, jury, and all there assem« bled, in set teims. " Sheriff," sung out the judge, " arrest that man for contempt of court, and confine him." The sheriff found it impossible. " Summon a posse," taid the judge. The posse did not like the job, as the fellow threatened "to shoot the first skunk that came within ten feet of him." "Mr SherittJ" said the judge, "summon me." "Very well, judge," said the sheriff, "I suppose I mnst." Jackson walked up witli lii-i pistols, and said, " Now, surrender, you infernal villain, this very instant, or I'll blow you through." The man put up his pistols, with the words, "There, judge, it's no use, I give in." A few days alterwaids, being asked his reason, he sad, " Why, when he came up I looked him in the eye, and I uw shoot, and theie wasn't shoot in nary other eje in the crowd: andsojsajsto myself, says I, 'Hoss, it's abous time to" sing small," <md io I did.— Life of General Jackson.

We (Wellington Independent) have been favored by a gentleman with the following copy of a letter addressed by His Excellency the Governor to the natives of this Province, which we publish for general information :— Auckland, April 25, 1880. Fiiends !— The Native Chiefs of Poit Nicholson, of Wairarapa, and of those other places at that end of our Island. I salute you. Fiiends ! I have heard the reports which say that you are anxiously inquiring as to my intentions with respect to the native tribes j some saying that at the present time my views as to the native people, have undergone an entire alteration. Fiiends, listen not to lying (or mistaken) words so readily uttered by the lips. I have no new plan of Government — that which I have adopted from the beginning, I hold fast still. I have heard of threo mistaken reports, but which you must not credit. First, it is said that I intend to put down the Native Chiefs. This is an error. Secondly, it is said that I intend to take forcible possession of Native lands. This is a lie. Thirdly, it is said that my design is to exterminate the Native race. This is a malicious falsehood. Griends, give no attention to Buch deceiving leports. I am not good to destroy the influence of the Chiefs, for they are my companions (hoa) in upholding the law to rightly guiding their several tiibes. I am not good to take improper possession of the land of any man, but rather to piotect all men in the possession of 'heir own lands. I shall acquire no land but what is propeily alienated by its owner —when a right purchase is made with a willing people, then I only shall stretch forth my hand. I am by no means good to destroy the Native people. What I desiie, is to advance their interests, to make them sit quietly, and to piess down all riotous and evil influences. It is my endeavour to fulfil the command of the Queen, that the inhabi • tants of this island, whether Maoii or Pakeha, may be well brought up as one people, and that the same kindness and piotection be shewn as we'l to the led man, as to the white man. Do not be anxious as to my work at Taianaki. William King is a single individual. Let his quarlel remain with himself s it was of his own seeking and not mine. When I went to Taranaki, I had no thoughts of fighting. It was he who inteifered with the lands of other, people, and then turned round upon me and fought. Neveitheless, our qnairel is between our two selves, and the bad conduct of William King will not be resented upon other persons, let him cease his unlawful interference and my work is done. Do not be anxious as to my doings with the murderous tribes of Taranaki and Nga.iruanui. Their crime is their own and not that of another people ; as also their punishment, it will be inflicted upon them and not upon others. As for yourselves, remain quietly in a state of peace. Let the insurrection be confined to the locality where it has sprung up. Give your attention to such works as will sccuie you a maintenance, and no evil will appioach you. On the other hand, if you seek for evil you will find it, but it is bettor to desire and obtain good. Yon Chiefs, who are my friends, let your minds be enlightened. I will hide nothing from you to promote good and to put down evil, is my only design j and this woik belongs to us all. I have no new intentions ; my piomises to you, and your engagements to me still icmain, they will not be forgotten, nor will my proceedings be alteicd. If you cannot understand any of my plans, make your enquiries direct to me. This especially, is a good thing, that my thoughts should be confessed io you, and your thoughts laid open to me. There are many reports which reach me, concerning you, but who will credit a mere report 1 My plan is to deny it, until authenticated by some truth .telling chief, and then I say, " Yes, it is correct." Now, you adopt the same plan. If you hear any loose repoit, that I am deceiving or entrapping you, come and enquiie of me, or go to some person whom you know to be truthful and enquire of him. If you do this, you will clearly see that a Governor from the Queen cannot speak falsely, nor will deceive any one. Friends, continue to sit in peace, and in remembiance of our foimer engagements. Fiom your Father, From the Governor.