WAR EXTRACTS.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 2000, 24 December 1863, Page 3

WAR EXTRACTS.

The following extracts are from the Southern Cross : — Caught in the Facti — A Special Court was held at Papakura on Bth Dec, before C. Mellsop, Esq. There was one case disposed of — that of Johnstone v. Rattigan. Rattigan had been summoned to appeal on Monday, but did not attend. A fresh summons was issued against him. He was charged with stealing sundry books, and a fowl belonging to Johnstone, of the Wairoa. From the evidence given by Johnstone, D. Richardson, J. Richardson, and R. Henry, it appears that on the 20th November, Rattigan was one of a party found on Richardson's farm ; that the party were close to a log, under which they found six books, and one fowl the property of Johnstone ; that Rattigan had no business in this locality. He was convicted of larceny, and sentenced to two months' imprisonment, with hard labor. It is satisfactory to know that some of these offenders are beiug brought before a Resident Magistrate. There are scores of similar cases, but the difficulty is to get hold of the parties implicated, and to bring proper evidence against them. Steam Tugs *ob Waikato. — We are glad to say that the two steam tugs, iron plated, for the Waikato, which were being built by Messrs P. Russell & Co., Sydney, for the New Zealand Government, under the direction of Mr Jas. Stewart, C.E., may be expected at their destination shortly. The first is expected to arrive very shortly. She will be packed in parts on board a sailing vessel, coal laden, and fitted up at the new township inside the Waikato Heads. Mr Simpson, engineer, and a staff of 80 mechanics and laborers, is going down in the Lady Barkly ; the covering party, or a portion ■ of it, being under orders to march overland. We may soon expect to see a steam tug, therefore, on the Waikato. It is intended, we believe, to use these vessels for the purpose of taking up supplies to the military settlements to be founded along the banks of the river, and to the troops. Their light draft of water and power will fit them for this special duty. It is likewise intended to build a number of flats, to be towed by these steamers, and which may be detached at the various settlements as she proceeds up ; on the return trip the empty cargo flats being taken back. Thus constant communication will be kept up. The settlers will want for nothing ; and we have no doubt that after the lapse of a month or so the traffic on the river between Ngaruawahia and the Heads, as the settlers begin to reap the fruits of their , cultivation, will warraut private enterprise stepping in and relieving the Government from all further concern in the matter. Each of these boats will be worth a regiment of soldiers to us. The idea originated, we believe, with the Government, and is an excellent example of how much practical ability is preferable to tb eory. The Ngatimaniopoto Country. — A correspondent writes as follows: — The tribe most deserving to be punished is the Ngatimaniopoto, whose land lies at Kawhia, and far inland of that part as well as along the coast to Mokaa. ' Kawhia is a splendid harbor, superior to Raglan ; and there is no end of creeks and rivers to facilitate its inland navigation. Indeed, at Mokau the Government have long bad forty thousand acres of land of their own, but have never settled it owing to the forbidding nature of the country itself, and of its ruthless inhabitants' The coast road between Mokau and Kuwbia is allowed to be one of the most dangerous and toilsome to travel of any in New Zealand." Township at Waikato Head. — We are glad to say tbe Government are not idle in respect to the occupation of the Waikato, as an artery of commerce as well as a highway for the subjugation of the country. Our readers . are awuie that the Eclipse has been inside tbe Waikato Heads for some weeks, protecting the surveying party who have been there, under . Mr C. Heaphy, surveying the township and adjoining land. In furtherance of this object, 180 men are to leave Onehunga in the Lady Barkly, for the same destination. 100 men are to act as a covering party, and tbe remaining 80 are workmen, under tbe direction of Mr i Simpson, engineer, who has beeu employed by the Government to fit up the two small steam- > boats expected from Sydney. This is a step ; onward, indeed ; and we are sure the public s will appreciate the energy of the Government f in this matter.

Another Soldier. Dead.— Ensign Ducrow: v« is much improved. Another private of the 40tb, named Scales, died on the 11th, of the wounds received at Bangiriri. Innocent AstcrsEMF.NT.-~On the Bth Dec. .* between Drury and Chisholm's Bush, a small party of Waikato volunteers, armed with rifles and ammunition, were trying to amuse themselves by firing at each other/ A friend of mine ( states that as he was coming through Chisholin's Bush, from Papakura, he beard firing, shot after shot going off, in constant succession. The thought struck him that it must be the blasting of rocks. As he proceeded a little further, he saw smoke. Then he observed a man taking aim at another man with his rifje. Then there was a return shot. He heard altogether some eight or ten shots fired. As he came funher along tne road, he was joined by a corporal, who had charge of a few of these volunteers. On being asked what they were about, they said, " Oh we have been filing at each other." "What, with ball cartridge?" " Indeed we have ; we picked up a quarrel on the road, and commenced to fire upon one another." The firing was heard over in the camp. The men were ordered to give up their arms, and being placed under arrest, they were marched into camp jis prisoners. I am not aware whet Her** these idiotic characters were on duty 6r on leave; but I should think it a much safer plan if those who were on leave of absence were to leave their rifles behind them, and more . especially as some few of them are apt to get a little " elevated." Hardly a week passes over, without some one being in danger from some inebriated oharacter armed with a rifle. It is not uncommon — -as iv the case of a tnao at Kerikeri, who is sentenced to 28 day's imprisonment — for some of these volunteers to lose their rifles on the road, for which, of course they are severely punished.