EXPEDITION TO THE WHITE CLIFFS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XIII, Issue 666, 6 May 1865, Page 5

EXPEDITION TO THE WHITE CLIFFS.

TAKING UP OP AN IMPORTANT POSITION. NARROW ESCAPE OF LOSS OP SURP BOATS AND CREWS. On arrival of the Inter-Colonial and Panama Royal Mail Steamship • Phoebe,' Captain Scott, on Sunday last at 10 a.m., she was at once chartered by the Colonial Defence Minister and placed at Colonel Warre's disposal for conveying an expeditionary force of Military and Taranaki Bushrangers to the White Cliffs. From 11 o'clock to 5f305 f 3O p.m. commissariat stores were being brought down to the beach and placed gradually on board by the surf boats. About sunset the whole of the force was on board, comprising Colonel Mulock (in command) Captains -Rftlston, and Cay, Lieutenants Gilbert and Bally, Ensign Pearson, Lieutenant and Adjutant Fenneran, 8 sergeants, 2 buglers, and 144 rank and file of the 70th Regt., A.D.A.C.G. Castray, Staff-Assistant Surgeon Jones, Lieutenant •JPerguson and 2 rank and file of the Royal Engineers, 2 rank and file of the Royal Artillery, Capt. Jonas, Lieut. Free, Ensign Lawson, 5 sergeants, 4 corporals, 1 bugler, and 49 rank and file Taranaki Bushrangers. Accompanying the expedition was also Mr. Parris, Assistant Native Secretary, in an official capacity, with two natives. Two of the surf boats with crews of nine each under the direction of Duncan Cameron having been ordered to accompany the steamer, after completing the embarkation, made fast astern ; but the late hour at which this was completed rendered it unadvisable that the steamer should proceed nntil daylight, therefore made all snug for the night. At 4 a.m. Monday, hove anchor and steamed off. Arrived off the White Cliffs at 7*45 a,m., and came to an anchor about 2§ miles from shore. One of the surf boats being immediately manned, proceeded on shore with Mr. Parris, the two Natives and 10 Bushrangers ; a safe landing being effected in a bight about 2§ miles south of the Tunnel. Captain Scott being desirous of affording every facility in his power for the disembarkation of the troops, lowered his own quarter boat, and proceeded towards the shore for examination of the coast as to the possibility of moving the steamer closer in. On his return steam was got up, and the vessel anchored within a mile and a half of the landing place. The disembarkation proceeded until about I*3o p.m. ; when one of the boats was nearly swamped in coming off from the shore, and Mr. Duncan Cameron with the boatmen protested against running any farther risk. In this view Col. Mulock, 70th, (commanding) and Capt. Scott coincided, though all were loath to leave the poor fellows on shore with scarcely any supplies, only the ammunition they carried, but one or two tents and a fow blankets, and no " Grog." However, there was no help for it as it was. The wind was freshening, with signs of a sea setting in, the glass beingdown to 29,50. Accordingly at 2*30 p.m. the captain hove anchor and steamed for this roadstead with the two boats in tow, and it was fortunate for the safety of the vessel and all hands this was done at the time. In running up, the wind increased with heavy sea, and thick haze. Could not see the Sugar Loaves until up with them. The captain then rounded ond stood in as near shore as possible for Bafety of the vessel. Just as the steamer brought to, the line of the stern most boat broke. In it were only five hands — and great fears were entertained of her safely reaching the shore. The second boat then hauled up to take in her crew, and with them, feeling confidence, Lieutenant Ferguson and the reporter for this paper (Mr. Hinigan), ran the risk of landing. The surf ran very high and but for the best of management, both boats would doubtless have been swamped. The first wbs in the greatest danger, but both however, strucK the beach in safety amid the hearty cheers of a large number of the community. The first boat was steered by Francis, and the second by the two Camerons. Too much praise cannot be awarded to the whole of the boats' crews that accompanied this expedition for the judgment and coolness which they displayed. We regret, however, we cannot say the same of the good management of those in command. We cannot but think there was a good deal of bungling. Every boat oonveying c number of men on shore, should, in our opinion, have had a certain quantity of ammunition, provisions, &c. The country appears to be of the finest description, and the view of the White digs from the deck of the steamer was certainly magnificent. On the steamer first coming to anchor off the Cliffs, fishing lines were put out, and schnapper from 5 to 6 lbs. hauled up in shoals. From an arrangement made by Captain Scott with Duncan Cameron, of the boata, by the signal ofrockets the former understood he was to proceed on to Auckland with those officers and men remaining on board. Out of the whole force taken on board only 103 were landed, including officers and men of both Military and Bushrangers. The landing place of the position taken up is made dangerous at low water by the large number of boulders about. Apparently thebfifl^—

time for landing with boats is from half.flood to half-ebb. .

On Wednosday evening Mr. Parris returned to town overland, having left the White Cliffs the same morning, The distance is twenty-five miles from Town. Mr. Parris returned in order to advise on measures being adopted to transport supplies for our men overland, if not by sea. On Thursday morning, however, the weather had moderated, and the steamer Wonga Wonga, arriving from Wanganui, she was immediately taken up by the Government for tho conveyance of supplies, and a party of Captain Messenger's company of Military Settlers, Capt. Stapp, T.M., and Mr, Parris also proceeded in the Wonga Wonga. The s.s. Wanganui arrived from Manukau early yesterday (Friday) morning, having on board Colonel Mulock, other officers and men of the 70th Regt., also Ensign Lawson, Sergeant Marshall and 22 rank and file of the Taranaki Bushrangers who were conveyed on to Auckland by the Phoebe.

The Wanganui, being under charter to the Commissariat was ordered to proceed to the southward with the Bushrangers she had brought from Auckland, and also troops, excepting Colonel Mulock and some of the officers. She also takes down tho life boat, one surf boat, with full crews under Duncan Cameron. The Wonga Wonga returned at 4 p.m. yesterday from Whito Cliffs. She left here at 2 p.m. on Thursday, and came to anchor about two miles off shore at 6 p.m. One boat was immediately despatched on shore with provisions and landed safely; At daylight commenced disembarkation of Capt. Messenger, Lieut. Clarke, Ensign Fookes, and 75 rank and file Military Settlers; also, Surgeon Spence. Landed six bullocks, commissariat stores, ammunition, and having embarked the Bushrangers left on shore by Phoebe, started again at noon and arrived in the roadstead at 4 p.m. — ' Herald,' April 29.