ADDRESS BY COL. PITT AT BALLAARAT

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1964, 1 October 1863, Page 4

ADDRESS BY COL. PITT AT BALLAARAT

We extract the following from the Ballaarat Star of the 28th ult: — On Thursday afternoon, Lieutenant-Colonel Pitt addressed the enrolled men, assembled by bis orders in the large yard of Port Phillip Hotel, Flinders Land, to the following effect:—" Men, I have a few words to say to you, that misunderstanding maybe prevented. A letter has appeared in the newspapers from a New Zealauder, signed £J. C, The intent of the letter appears to be to discredit the statements that have been made to you of the promises of the New Zealand Government. Coming from one of the inhabitants of New Zealand, it is difficult to understand the motive of the writer, and I am at a loss to point it out, unless he is one of the large holders of laud there, and fancies that the fulfillment of the promises made to you and to me ■will injure his interests. There have been a good many comments made in reference to it, but I must say that the press has shown a considerate aad a generous spirit in dealing with this matter. Such a body of men as I shall take away with me no colony would like to lose, and, considering how much the newspapers might have made out of H. C.'s letter had their object been to deter you from going, their moderation deserves the highest praise. The Government and people of Victoria have acted nobly towards their neighbors who want their assistance, and, loth as they are to lose a fine body of men, no obstacles have been put in my way. My credentials are under the signature of the Governor of New Zealand, the representative of her Majesty, and appear to me as binding as if they had the signature of Queen Victoria herself. In the New Zealand Government Gazette are published my credentials, and all those conditions which you have seen posted about the streets, and have doubtless read for yourselves. If you lose your hnd, I lose mine, and lam satisfied with the security, If T were not, I would not ask a man to follow me. (A roice — " We will follow* you anywhere.") Tarn authorised to raise a battalion under these con ditions, and I come here, and straightforwardly state the conditions under which men can join, I trust you neither regard me as a crimp nnr a recruiting sergeant. I am told that I am taking away married men. It may be so. I cannot make that one of the conditions of nonacceptance of a good man, but I have taken care that a list of such men shall be made, and will do all in my power to see that their wives have an opportunity of being provided for, as far as possible. You are Victorians, and my sympathies are with Victoria, I doubt not tbat

we shall so behave ourselves as to make it an honor to belong to the Victorian Battalion. Victoria will watch jou, and take a just pride in your deeds. I must inform you of one thing. The lands that are te bo given to us for our services are to be won from the enemy." Lt.Col. Pitt said be bad nothing; more to say at that time, and retired. Three cheers were given for the Lieut. Colonel with a spontaneity and energy that showed the trust of the men in their leader. "It may perhaps be as well to add" (writes our Melbourne correspondent) " that tke regulations under which the land is to be granted is a part of an Act of Parliament I state this on the authority of a member of the Legislative Assembly, who has a special knowledge of New Zealand." The total number enrolled up to Thursday is reported at 371 rank and file. Lieut.-Colonel Pitt will if possible, raise 1,500 men, and has already authorised persons in the up-country districts to act for him.