AUCKLAND.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1966, 6 October 1863, Page 3

AUCKLAND.

By the Storm Bird we have our usual files to the 29th inst, being five days later than previous dates. The intelligence thus received shows that the lull in the campaign still continues, and there is nothing iv the journals to indicate when an important movement will take place. The Southern Cross of the 28th says : — The news from the front in our possession is to the 26tb inclusive. No movement worth recording had taken place. Tbe troops are chiefly engaged on out-post and escort duties. Occasional shots are exchanged at Whangam ari no, but with no apparent result. H.M.S.S. Curagoa was hourly looked for; and was expected to have the head-quarters of the 12th Regiment on board. • The ship Caduceus, from Melbourne, arrived at Auckland on the 25th, with 393 military settlers for the Waikato. Another large ship was expected with further reinforcements. The Auckland Provincial Council was opened ou the 25th ult. Tbe Storm Bird brings ten cases of arms and ammunition for Wellington. We make a few extracts from the papers to hand. The Gunboat for the Waikato. — This vessel we are informed, was to leave Sydney, under convoy ofthe Eclipse, on Thursday last, so that she may be hourly expected. She is much larger than her name wonld import, and it will hardly be realised that she is almost of the size of the Rangatira. With such a vessel as this surely tbe Waikato will no longer be available for rebel canoes — Southern CVoss,2sth. Bush Scouring.— lt will be seen from out war correspondence that Colonel Nixon's force had returned and not fallen in with any of tbe rebels. They have committed no end of depredations, stolen several horses, and crossed the Waikato into tbeir own territory — at least there are the best grounds for supposing tbat they bave done so. It would appear that the " eye of the Waikato " requires another operation to be performed upon it. — Southern Cross, 25tb. " Blowing up " Canoes, — Captain Mercer, R.A., was at Ouehunga yesterday, making some experiments as to tbe required charge. of. powder tor blowing up various sized canoes. One large canoe was first operated upon with a charge of twelve pounds, wbich had the desired effect, rending it nearly tbe whole length, and bursting the sides completely asunder; the thickness of the bottom being six inches. The next experiment was upon a smaller one. about three inches thick, and a three pound charge was used, but it merely made a small rent in tbe bottom, A charge of six pounds was then used, wbich completely destroyed the canoe, blowing it to atoms. The canoes experimented upon were those taken by the Coast Guards, and over which a guard of four men is kept. It would be a great public service if Captain Mercer would continue bis experiments and complete bis work of destruction. Wby these canoes are preserved at all, and especially at the expense of tke time of four men to guard them is certainly a mystery. — Southern Cross, 26 tb. Destuction of Canoes at Onehunga.— Some additional experimeuts were tried by Captain Mercer on Saturday afternoon, at Ouehunga, and which, as on the day previous, were attended with most successful results. The hour appointed was six o'clock, by which time several ladies and gentlemen had riddeu out from town to witness the operations. His Excellency the Governor, accompanied by Mr Hamley also arrived in time to witness the result of the experiments. Two canoes were moored in tbe harbour, off the end of the Government pier. One of these was very large, the other of smaller dimensions, and the latter was first operated on by placing a tin cylinder, containing 61bs of power. The cylinder was curved, so as to fit the bottom of the canoe, and attached to a slip of tin, for the purpose of fastening it on to the side of the canoe above the water's edge a small tube running down the tin into the cylinder, through which the fuze was passed to communicate with the charge. A similar arrangement was also attached to the large canoe, the cylinder in this, instance containing 12 lbs of powder, The experiments in both cases ware entirely successful, the canoes being thrown into the air, literally in atoms ; and .after the explosion the water seemed covered in every direction with the fragments. Two canoes were also afterwards tried on land, with the same succesiful results. Before leaving Onebunga, Sir George Grey inspected the gun-boats, and the steamer Lady Barkly, and we understand was highly pleased with the arrangements and fittings of these vessels, which we believe will be quite completed in two or three days, when tbey will take their departure for the Waikato river, where we hope they will arrive in safety. These experiments have proved that if any canoes are "ound concealed on the banks of the river or ou the water, they can not only be easily, but quickly and effectually destroyed. Raglan.— The correspondent of the Crosswrites on the 26th from Raglan:—" Opposite to the township on the other side of the harbour, there have been two cannons lying for many years, partially imbedded in the sand. Very little as far as I can learn, is known of theic history, except that they belonged to some vessel wbich was wrecked on the coast. One was in pretty good condition and tbe other not so. Last night a party of Waikatos numbering as' reported 110 men, came in canoes, and digging up the guns, carried them away with them the only witness to the transaction being an old woman ! That the guns have been carried away is ascertained to-day, and the spot bears the trampings of many feet. We bave had a narrow escape, and hare great cause to be thankful that we are not all butchered. Our escape can only be attributed to tbe determination of purpose on the part of these nutives to obtain possession of the guns as quietly and secretly as possible— (though ( how it could have been done without colluding with the Taenui tribe, is difficult to imagine), and without exciting any attention,— or perhaps to a stronger reason— the name and protecting "mana" of William Naylor. I an. more inclined to favor tbe latter hypothesis, as I believe tbat Naylor's name has alone been our safeguard, and I regret to say that he has not met with that consideration from the parties in authority here, which as a chief of considerable importance, of consistent and unwavering loyalty to the Queen, as well as a good-disposi-i tioned old man, be ought to have received." M ________^MMWM^-.— -W~^»*i*MW^l