DESPATCH FROM CAPTAIN ZOUCH.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVI, Issue 1608, 13 August 1861, Page 4

DESPATCH FROM CAPTAIN ZOUCH.

The following despatched was forwarded from Captaiu Zouoh, superintendent of the Mounted Patrol, Burrangbug, to the Inspector-General; of Police, Sydney, to be sent by telegram from Yass, butby' some extraordinaiy mistake the sergeant of the esoort neglected to deliverit at. the' telegraph-office, Yass, and brought it on to Sydney: — j ■ . I have a force of. 67 men in all on the diggings— s7 within hail of the camp,

and 10 at out-stations. I succoeded this morning iv apprehending two of the rioters, and expect to secure three more to-uight. The police have great difficulty in finding out any of the worst, as the greater number had their things packed previous to the riot, and decamped early the following day, ostensibly for the new rush on the Lachlan, but iv reality to get out of the way. One of the prisoners is banner-man, and the other was seen setting fire to the tents; they are both identified by the polioe, but an-, alibi is to be set up in defence, and many will be forthcoming to support the false swearing, I have guarded as well as I can against surprise and attack, and will do my best to disperse any riotous assemblage ; at any rate I will try force. The diggings and country is in a dreadful state of mud and bog, almost impassable even for horsemen. Almost incessant rain for the last ten days. I will keep you informed of everything important, but not telegraph unless such oocurs. I swore in 36 specials yesterday, and expect to have a great many more to-morrow.

7 o'clock p.m. — "Roll up" commenced half au hour ago. Drums beating and men advancing; about 500 it is said.

Another prisoner brought in by police, and ail police present. Great yelling and filmg — more like wild blacks than anything else. It is said an attack will be made before daylight; and another report just received says that an attack will take plaoe. The mob evidently approaching.

Monday, half-past 12 a.m.— The mob oame on to the camp at a quarter to 8 last night, after sending in four delegates to speak to the Commissioner. They demanded release of prisoners, and gradually moved forward, evidently intending to rush the place. A division patrol under Mr. M'Lerie was ordered to clear the ground, and was immediately fired upon by the rioters. The patrol charged back, night though it was, and drove numbers over the banks of the creek — foot patrol firing into the mob ; but it was not till three charges had been delivered, and the firing at intervals contiuued for more than two hours, that the rioters withdrew. Every man did his duty as well as men could do. Three men in the patrol were wounded, two had gun-shot i wounds in the arm, and one contused. One horse which 'dropped was recovered, with four balls in him, and two missing wounded.. Of the rioters we know one killed, and several wounded. As soon as I can asoertain the loss I will inform you. The darkuess prevented our making any prisoners. Ail quiet now ; night very wet and dark. H. Zouch, Superintendent Mounted Patrol. (Bi Electric Telegraph.] The Superintendent Southern Patrol, to Inspector-General Police, Sydney. Yass, 1 7th July. The policeman left at Burrangong has just arrived. He reports that on Monday night the Court-House was burned down— the diggers seized all the arms on the flat — 30 men were seen at the burial of one killed, with heads and ;ar__a i bandaged. Rumour says upwards of a hundred of the rioters were wounded on Sunday night. Informant left the Flat at seven this morning.

[From the Empire's;Corr_spondent.] I have just received the following information from Lambing flat. That the Court-house burnt down, and camp partially burnt. The banks are closed, and will do no more business until the troopers return. Several of the stores have been ransacked for firearms and (ammunition. A great w roll up *' yesterday, 16th ; about 3000 diggers, a great many of whom had guns and revolvers. The ostensible object of the gathering was to attend tbe .funeral of one of the killed ou Sunday night. A rumour prevails tbat [the stores will be burnt, but everything goes ou peaceably yet. The first store to be burnt, so says report, is Greig's, the Miner, Minchen's and Freemen's. Later news reaohes me.

The following was reoeived yesterday in Sydney by the friends of a gentleman, who took a prominent part in defence of the police camp : — "Yesterday afternoon, Sanderson apprehended two men on suspicion, that ,they were flopcerned in the late * rolLup.' Late in the evening we received information, that the diggers were determined to rescue the prisoners. At first I treated this threat with contempt, but about half-past seveu, the diggers came down to the number of about 2000. Zouch ordered me to remain at a certain point and not to move, unless he ordered me to do so, or in the event of the mob firing on the camp. After a little parrying between Zoucb, Griffon and the mob, I was ordered to take up a position immediately in front of the camp. Before I could form my men up in line, I was fired upon by the mob. Without receiving any order from Zouoh, I charged immediately into the mob. and' gave 'them a most confounded thrashing. ' The' ibob again rallied, but after rebeiying a valley from the foot police, they were., completely routed by the patrol. ' lii the first charge two horses were shot, " and ' a sergeant , '^qurided. THrptighpui the^Koie affair, we.ihave lost ihreehorse^Vap^, there are, two 'men wounded, besides many narrow' escapes: As to the diggers^ I knew for a fact one man is killed 1 aiid three wounded;; .but.t.tnink when .'day light appears, we'll find a few more. Another ' roll up ' {B expeoted every minute."^ • '

Thursday's and Sunday's excepted. The Militia between Wanganui and Taranaki are also called out for drill purposes during August and September, daily at 3 p.m., Thursday's and Sunday's excepted.

What the reason ia for thus interfering with the occupations of the settlers in such a serious manner, it is difficult to divine. The townspeople are called upon to sacrifice such an unusually large portion of their time, as to threaten most serious consequence to all who are dependant on business or day labor for their subsistence, and the farming operations of the Country settlers, most important at this moment, are also interfered with to an extent that must prove- most prejudicial. If an enemy were at their very doors, there might be a necessity; but under present circumstance's this sevei'e training can only be re^arded'as one of those fantastic ti'icks, which.. spine men . play when dressed in a little brief authority. The inducements held out by the Gold Fields, to persuade the population to leave for the South are surely sufficient without' adding the irksomeness and loss which surjh a Militia notice is sure to cause. If such a course is persevered in," Major Cooper will deserve the severest censure, and we hope he may receive it. No readier means could be devised to injure'the Wanganui district, and whatever Government may be in power, we hope it will be at once put a stop to. Calling out settlers to a double drill daily, is beyond all endurance.