RICOCHETS FROM THE FRONT.

Observer, Volume 3, Issue 60, 5 November 1881, Page 121

RICOCHETS FROM THE FRONT.

— The big Thames drum-major AA-as greatly admired by many Auckland ladies. — Harry Parker did not make a Avarlike speech on Friday night. Mirabile dictu. — The Waikato Cavalry promise to rush to the rescue if the country is in danger. — The only drink in the canteens at the Front is tonic beer. — There were 400 men at Pungarchu at last advices. — Captain DaAvson, avlio has gone to the Front, was lately an hotelkeeper at Hamilton. — One hundred ancl fifty Volunteers from the Thames have gone to the Front. — There is a piano at the A. C. post at Pungarehu, near Parihaka. Concerts are i.he order of the day. — The biggest man at Pungarehu is young Ausby, 6ft sin, and only 19 years. Hoav's that for high 'i — Big Miles, of the A.C., says, " Give the bhoys a pint of Dublin sthout and divil a Maori Avill sthaiid befoore thim. Hurro!" — Tavo doctors, a hiAA-ycr, and a clergyman Avent from Christchurch to smell sulphur. They are rather ahead of their time. — Churton and Theo. Fairs Avere tAvo of the brave fourteen who volunteered to go to Parihaka " at once." ■ — Is it true that Capt. Payne is to be the neAv commissariat-general ? He managed the billetting of the Thames Volunteers in a masterly way. — Drum-Major O'Brien says he is the son of an old Avarrior, and wants to be off, like the " Minsthrel Bhoy," to tho wars again. — The Volunteers of Auckland say the}- cannot go to the Waimate Plains, because they have'sworn to protect Auckland. — Mr Bryce, circus-riding about the Waimate Plains, is siiuply honorary Cornet Bryce of the Wanganui Mounted Pig-huuters. Same old style ! — Lieutenant Self made the most effective speech at the Volunteer meeting, and carried three parts of the audience Avith him. — Several of the Thames Volunteers brought their wives and families up to town on Saturday, and there Avas much weeping and wailing on their departure by train. — The heroes avlio have gone to the Front from the Telegraph Department say they mean to " wire " in if they can bring their " battery " into action, and they do not fear any " resistance."

— Major Derrom says that he could have raised 200 Volunteers in Auckland at a moment's notice for active service had they been allowed to go as a battalion under their own officers. — Europeans Avho lately visited Parihaka Avere besieged for Avax vesta matches by the Avahines. The heads of the matches are taken off and glued in brass eyelet holes, forming a perfect cai). — Major Withers, as usual, muddled the arrangements. Why didn't they put him on the staff somewhere? Say Inspector-General of Volunteer Bands. Fit him to a drumstick. — Lieutenant Self's excitement on the AA'harf last Saturday was laughable. The sight of real Volunteers going to the Front made hiui so enthusiastic that he began to quote Latin in a thundering voice, at the same time giving an exhibition of his poAvers in the Irish jig line. - — Mr Northcroft, R.M., of Waikato, avlio has volunteered for service on the West Coast, Avas formerly an inspector in the A.C. He distinguished himself by going through the King Country from Taranaki to Waikato, and. he Avas tied up by Te Kooti and severely flogged. He stood it without flinching.