AUCKLAND.

Wellington Independent, Volume I, Issue 19, 4 June 1845, Page 3

AUCKLAND.

Militia. —The first meeting of the inhabitants under the Militia Bill was held at the western block-house at three o'clock yesterday. We think that not far short of three hundred persons attended, although the demand had not been general; and it is only fair to state that the attendance appeared as cheerful as numerous, —and such is the natural disposition of Englishmen ; they will never fail to rally round their authorities so long as they can possibly respect them, and the recent show of self respect, on the part of this Government, by sending a force to the Bay, is no doubt, the only cause by which the Colonists have been induced to become Soldiers.

The necessity for such a state of things however is truly lamentable, and we sincerely hope that Sir George Gipps, and Sir Eardley Wilrnot, exercising a better judgment than our Governor, will either provide us with the means of defenc-s, or escape from our present position. There is nothing deficient, nothing wavering in the conduct of the colonists, —but we, one and all, desire to have a more efficient head, — we desire mote than this, —we desire, that the manifest interests and obvious safety of our lives and familes should not be sacrificed to the dreams of a spurious philanthropy. The ranks of the militia would have been much more extensive than they were, but for the miserable fact, that the shop-keepers have sold all their muskets to the Maories, and the Government are so deficient in their stores as to have not one to spare. A Public Meeting of the refugees from the Bay of Islands, to express in suitable addresses their gratitude to the public of Sydney and Wellington ; we know has been intended, and nothing would have prevented its taking place,- but the circumstance of most of the influential inhabitants of the (quondam) Bay of Islands having gone as volunteers to assist

in the conflict which is likely to occur with Johnny Held.-— Auckland Times. The State of Auckland. —In the present condition of excitement and alarm which the unhappy colonists of New Zealand labour under, it is next to impossible to distinguish between exaggerated rumours and veritable intelligence : this is hardly possible to do even with the most diligent enquiry, or the most acute judgment, but we believe it may be relied upon that Mr. Maher, the principal inhabitant of Wangari, has received notice through Pomare that Kawiti is coming down upon that place to repeat the horrors of the invasion of Russell. Our readers will recollect that one Te mate, was accused upon oath of robbery at Matakana.and advertised in the Government Gazette with a reward for his apprehension, and who afterwards got two horses as a bribe for fresh provocation! This fellow has naturally (so it is creditably affirmed) joined John Heki, with Tirarau of Kiapara, whose assistance may be considered formidable. The Hazard has gone to the Bay to blockade the port, and an almost increditable rumour is in every mouth, which we therefore challenge the Governor, for his own sake to ■ disprove, that he has, in her tender the Albert, sent supplies of ammunition and provisions to Nene and bis parly to- support them against Heki, thus overthrowing all the Exeter Hall principles, and encouracing instead of suppressing native warfare, besides putting into the, hands of the savages means, which they will most assuredly treacherously divide among themselves to complete their "array against us. Another absurdity to complete that madness of confidence in Maori generosity, gratitude, and forbearance, which hss all along marked his Excellency's conduct, and brought about our present dilemmj, is most frightfully evinced by the introduction of a Maori residence of chiefs in the Government domain. His Excellency would hardly believe the ingratitude and treachery of Te Mate, but every single soul (himself excepted) knows that these people are not to be trusted—not any of> them. Under all the present danger and alarming circumstances we hear with unexpresible disgust and indignation that some of our shopkeepers are even yet, for the sake of their paltry gain, selling powder and shot t6 the natives. The only possible —the only merciful —th<j only prudent proceeding, under present circumstances is to strike a blow at once ; every hour increases our danger, and we do not believe that any unction of Exeter Hall is yet capable of making a little nation of out countrymen lie down under the domination of a set of deceitful, treacherous, cowardly, covetous savages, who only want the Dragcman placed at the head of their ranks in order to make our contempt of their pretentious com- " plete. The' preparations for the defence of the town have gone on, during the past week, with an activity and performance alike creditable to the Governor and the officers who execute his commands. The Wesleyan mission have, at their own expence, we hear, created a place of refuge, in case of necessity, for their own people. And now we have only to add to this article, that if there is anything rashly, imprudently or upon insufficient authority therein stated, it is not our fault; we do the Dest we possibly can do to glean the truth ; the government in the meanwhile secrete their whole proceedings, and even in a crisis like this keep back all information which might allay public anxiety, for the ultimate purpose of throwing a shield over the contemptible cowardice of the Maorie raonamania.— limes.

THE MILITARY CATECHISM, FOR THE USE OF YOUNG OFFICERS AND SERGEANTS OF INFANTRY, MILITIA REGIMENTS, AND VOLUNTEER CORPS: ADAPTED TO THE NEW SYSTEM OF DRILL,AS REVISED BY THE BOARD OF OFFICERS, IN 1833.

(Continued from our last.)

QUESTIONS TO OFFICERS COMMANDING COMPANIES, WITH THEIR. ANSWERS. Q. —18. What is the meaning of the proper pivot flank in column ? A. —It is that which, when wheeled up to, preserves the Divisions of the Line in the natural order, and to their proper front. The other is the reverse flank. Q. —19. The Column is put in motion. A. —If mine is the leading Company, I immediately take points to march upon and pay attention to the cadence in which I am marching. If I Gomraand any of the other Companies, my attention must be directed to preserving my proper distance and covering. Q.—2o. The Div sions receive the caution "Left wheel into line," "Quick march." A. —-On the caution, I place myself in front of the centre of my Company (my back to it,) at one pace distance, and remain steady until the word "March," when I turn to ray Company during the wheel, and quickly place myself at the second file from the left of the Company on my right, and dress mine in line with the pivot-men of both Companies. When dressed, I give the word "Eyes front," and place myself on the right of my Division, which is ray post in Line. Q. —21. The rear rank is cautioned to " Take open order," " March," what do the officers do 1 A. —Immediately on the caution they recover their swords, and place themselves in front of, and close to the files, opposite to which they are to stand, when at open order, viz.: Captain opposite second file from the right: Lieutenant, second file from the left; and Ensign opposite the centre. On the word "March" they advance three paces, glance their eyes to the right, correct their dressing, and on the word " steady" from the Major, port their swords. Q. —22. At the caution " Rear rank take close order," " March." A. —At the word " Order," they recover their swords, and face to the right; and at the word " March," resume the places they occupied previous to taking open order. Q. —23. The Divisions receive the caution to wheel backward. A. —On the caution I place myself in front of and at one pace from the centre of my Company. At the word " March" I turn towards it, and observe that the.men wheel carefully (moving during the wheel) to my pivot flank. I give the word " Halt dress," or "Halt front dress" (if it had faced about,) when it has completed the wheel, and place myself on my proper pivot flank. Q. —24. When you have given the word " Halt," or " Halt, Front, Dress," to your Company in Column, what do you do ? A.—l immediately fall in on the flank of my Company, and the men dress themselves. In Line I dress the Company myself, and give the word "Eyes front" when they are so. Q. —25. Marching past in slow time to salute. A. —My Company having brought their shoulders forward at the point which brings it on the line, on which I am to salute, I change my flank during that wheel by the front; I give the word "Rear Rank take open order " 30 paces from the General, and step three paces in front of my second file from the right; when within ten paces of the General I salute (giving a signol to my Subalterns with my left hand that we may salute together,) and when six paces from him, I recover my sword. I give the word " Rear Rank take close order " 20 paces from him, and continue on the right flank of my Company until I reach the next wheeling point, when I change my flank by the rear during the wheel of the Division. Q. —26. Marching past in quick time. A.*—l change my flank as in slow time at the second wheeling point, and continue on the right flank of my Company until I reach the next wheeling point, when I shift during the wheel to the left, by the rear. Q. —27. The Battalion in Line advancing by half Battalions, what do you do if you belong to the Right Wing ? A.—l change to the left flank of my Company. Q. —28. The Battalion in Line advancing in double Columns of Subdivisions from the Centre, and you command a Company in the Left wing.. A. —I change to tlie left flank of my leading: Subdivision during its wheel. If you belong to the Right wing ? I,take post on the right flank of my lead- .% Subdivision.

q,—29. If Line is formed to a flank, suppose to the right, and you command a company of the Left Wing. A. —On the caution I change to the right flank of my Subdivision, and as soon as my right has opened the left flank of the Company on my right (formed in Line), I give the word to my Subdivision " Left shoulders forward, Forward, Halt, Dress up." The senior Subaltern gives the same word to his Subdivision, but they are both dressed by me. '-''; - Q.—3o. If a Line is ordered to retire in double column of Subdivisions from both flanks in rear of the Centre, and you command either flank Company, suppose the Right. A. —Immediately on the caution, I give the word " Right Subdivision Right about face, Quick March," and when retired two paces, the Senior Subaltern gives " Left shoulders forward," and, when square, "Forward," placing himself on that flank of his Subdivision nearest the Line. He gives the word " Right shoulders forward, Forward," when the right (the proper left) of his Subdivision reaches the right of the left Subdivision of the right centre Company, and changes during the wheel to the outer flank of his Subdivision. I follow with the left Subdivision, and act precisely as he did.

The two centre Subdivisions receive the word " Right about face" from the Officer commanding the left centre Company, as soon as the Divisions next to them have commenced their wheel, and the word "Quick March" at the same moment that the Divisions in front of them receive the word " Forward." Q. —31. Which is the directing flank in Double Column of Subdivisions ? A. —The proper left, except ordered to the contrary. Q. —32. A Battalion formed in Line is ordered to move off in Column of Divisions from a flank (suppose the right) along the rear, and you command the Grenadiers. A. —On the caution, I give the word "Left face, Left wheel, Quick march," and when the right of my Division is clear of the Line, I give the word " Front turn," and remain on the inward flank of my Company. If from the left, vice versa, Q. —33. If on the Maich in Column, Square is formed on the Grenadiers, and you command that Company. A. —I immediately give the word " Halt." N.B. —in all formation? of Squares, the Officers, Coverers, and Scpf-rnumeraries move within the Square. Q. —34. If you command No. 1. A. —-As soon as my Company closes upon the Grenadiers, I give the word " Halt." Q. —35. If you command a central Company. A. —If the Column is at open or half distance, as soon as my Company arrives within Section Distance of the Divisions in front of it, I give the word " Sections outwards." N.B. —If the Column is at quarter distance, the Commanding Officer gives the word " Sections outwards" to the whole of the Companies (except the two Front and Rear Divisions) as soon as the Officer commanding the Second Division gives the word " Halt" to it. Q. —36. If you command either of the two rear Divisions. A.-—I give the word " Halt, Right about face," as soon as my Company closes upon the one in its front, Q. —37. If an open Column, moving either to the front or rear by the flank march of Companies, say, right in front, is ordered to form Square, and you command the left centre Company. A.—The moment the Commanding Officer gives the word to the Battalion, " Inwards turn," I give the word " Sections outwards " to my Company. Q.—3B. If you command one of the Companies of the right wing, not the Grenadiers, or No. 1, A. —As soon as my Company reaches the flank of the Sections of the Company before me already, in square, 1 give the word "Front turn, Sections outwards." Q. —39. If Square is formed on the two centre Subdivisions, what do the flank Companies do ? A.—They file by Subdivisions into Square when they receive the word " Halt, Right or Left face," from their respective Leaders. Q. —40. The Battalion in Line is ordered to change front to the rear on the centre, and you command a central Company. A.—lf the right centre, I immediately on the caution give the word "Right face, Right counter-march, Quick march." If the left centre, "Left face, Right countermarch, Quick march." In both cases I halt in my own person at the centre, and dress my Division from that place.

{To be continued in our next. J