THE RUSSIANS IN LYTTELTON.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1359, 22 June 1878, Page 3

THE RUSSIANS IN LYTTELTON.

[A Chabibb beoji the Histoby OB 1878.] [BBOM THE PEEBS.J It is with feelings we will not attempt to describe that we pen a short record of the greatest disaster that has ever befallen the inhabitants of Canterbury, viz., its successful invasion, and its having had to pay heavy black-mail as a result of this. The disaster is all the worse, as we have literally no security that wo shall not be subjected to the same loss and disgrace again, ere wo can get succour, as wo are yet in precisely as defenceless a position as we were before. We had been quietly dreaming in Canterbury, find indeed we may say New Zealand generally, that a Russian war was extremely improbable, or that even if it did ocour Great Britain, the mistress of the seas, would protect her colonies by a few swift cruisers, who would effectually settle any daring Russian privateer. The occurrences of the past few days show how erroneously we had calculated, and how swift our enemies were, to take advantage of our known defenceless condition. The cable on which we redied for information of the war, if it was declared, failed in the extremity, having broken down just two days before that took place, and a delay of nine days occurred ere it was in working order again, then the awfully startling nows was dashed, through it that England and Russia, were at war. Consternation was yisiolo on every countenance, and all bitterly regretted that the guns necessary for defending Lyttelton Heads had not been sent for months back, so that we should have had them in position for such an emergency. Cablegrams were at once despatched ordering them out with all speed, at any expense, but when the steed is stolen little use is there in providing a lock for the stable. It was proposed to send two of the best guns we possessed to the Heads in lieu of the heavy artillery ordered, and though this was done, it was determined only to use them in the event of a hostile wooden vessel attempting to enter, as it was well known they were as useless as rifles against a plated vessel, andthat to use them in such a case would cause unnecessary bloodshed. Various schemes were proposed of sinking machines to blow up any Russian vessel, and of laying cables across the harbor, dfco., but were found to be utterly futile and useless with the materials we possessed, and the only reasonable ground for hope appeared to be our insignificance and the want of information regarding us on the part of the enemy. On the morning of the 18th August a red, or rather black-letter day in our calendar, the smoko ot a steamer, evidently making for Lyttelton, was observed, and the usual signal run up. The Albion was expected to arrive that morning, and this was thought to be that vessel. However, ns she neared the harbor, the experienced eye of the lighthouse keeper observed she was of a different bund and color to the Albion, and on a still nearer approach the terrible truth fl'.shcd on his mind. The artillerymen in their hut at the Heads, where the guns were placed, were instantly warned, and the news sent on to Lyttelton, The men at once took then - stand by the guns, and prepared to do their du!y, and give the unwelcome stranger a warm reception as soon us she came within range. A powerful glass, however, revealed the fact that she was a heavily-armouroJ vessel, and her massive guns showed how completely they were at her mercy if she opened lire upon them. It was determined not to fire on her, as po guu we had could pope-

trate her armour, and she might have repaid the attempt on the defenceless port, but the brave fellows at the guns nearly mutinied at not being allowed to try her metal. She steamed gently up to the Heeds; a sharp look out being kept for torpedoes, &c., and evidently had some one on board who knew the harbor well, and who had been up it before. By this time the news had been received in Christchurch nearly an hour, and the dismay and consternation were universal, as our defenceless position was well known. The Yolunteers were under arms at the railway station as a precautionary measure, but it was felt they were useless, as no enemy would attempt to land when their object could be attained without. The privateer meantime bad anchored about half a mile outside the Breakwater, and had seat a boat with a white flag to Lyttelton. It was manned by four sailors, and had two men, evidently officers by their uniform, who desired to speak with the authorities of the town. The Christchurch City Councillors and some of the leading men had gone through to Lyttelton by a special train some time before, and they and the Lyttelton Council received the visitors in the Colonists’ Hall. The Russians spoke English very fairly, and immediately opened negotiations by demanding £1,000,000 as black mail, or threatened, in the event of refusal, to destroy Lyttelton and sink or plunder every vessel in the harbor. They further demanded four hostages from the leading citizens to be sent back with them as a guarantee that no enterprise would be attempted against the Wrobanoff, their vessel. What could be done P in an hour the officers must return with their hostages or Lyttelton would he shelled. It was unanimously agreed this must he done, as we were completely in the power of the Russian vessel. They asked till the following morning to give answer to the demand for £1,000,000, protesting however that it was out of all reason to demand such a sum from a small settlement. After some time this was agreed to, with a threat from the Russians that if they attempted to gain time by parleying till an English cruiser should turn up it would bo the worse for them, as if they did not settle by next morning their threats would be fulfilled. They then took their departure with the four hostages to the Wrobanoff. The negotiators now departed to Christchurch, and telegraphed to the Government the deplorable condition they were in from the Russian demands, and asking assistance. The reply was that nothing could be done under the circumstances but to make the best terras possible, and the measures that had been taken were approved of. In truth, there was no escape out of the difficulty, and the Congress who had been negotiating felt this was so. They met for hours debating as to what could be done. The decision that was arrived at finally, was to send six of their number to negotiate with the Russians to get them to abate their exorbitant demand, and to get the longest time possible to pay it, also to ask for hostages to guarantee the fulfilment of the treaty on the part of the Russians. The various bankers were interviewed, and every means put in requisition to obtain the gold demanded. The Lyttelton and Christchurch Councils, the Shipping Agents, and others interested, were prepared to give guarantees for the money. The great difficulty that arose was, on whom was the burden to fall, was it on Canterbury generally, or on Christchurch and Lyttelton only, or on the shipowners, whose vessels were in danger. It was resolved, after hours of earnest discussion, to leave this to bo settled afterwards, as it was found literally impossible to do so at the time. It was generally known that negotiations were going on between the Russians and the “ Congress” (as we shall call the negotiators for want of a better name), and that no immediate danger was to be apprehended, and the Breakwater in Lyttelton was covered by hundreds to see the Russian ironclad. She was about as long as the Easby, but not so high in the water, and appeared to be heavily plated. She had two turret guns of immense size and four besides, making a total of six. Altogether she appeared to be what is called “an ugly customer.” The morning of the 19th came at last, and at ten o’clock the six ambassadors took the steam launch Lyttelton and proceeded to the Wrobanoff, to settle the negotiations. They were courteously received, and after about two hours’ negotiating sc'tlcd the amount of tribute—we canuot find a more suitable word —at £500,000. Thp Russians would grant no hostages, would give no guarantee but their word, and the longest time they would allow for payment was till noon on the 20th. What could hp done P The Russians to}d them calmly that they know that we were in their power, that they could inflict far more damage than that amount, and hinted that the cargoes of the vessels might pay them as well as the money they demanded They also said thpir guns would reach Christchurch, and showed a profound intimacy with the geographical position of New Zealand. The six commissioners took thpir leave of the Russians and came ashore to report the result of their mi-aion. It was generally felt that the terms were as easy as could be expected, but where was the security that when the money was paid a fresh demand would not be made P Still nothing could be done, the bitter pill must be swallowed and the best result hoped for. After incredible difficulty the money was raised, but a day’s grace had to be obtained to pay the full amount. Halt the amount was paid on the day which had first been appointed and the balance on the following day. The misgivings which go many’shared ‘as to the Russians procedure when the money was paid fortunately proved to be foundat ioplesa as the captain acted up to his word and released tile hostages ' with presents and apologies for having been obliged to detain them, and an hour afterwards the dreaded Wrobanoff was seen making her way past the Heads.

While she was in Lyttelton the greatest excitement was manifested in Christchurch. Business was literally at a standstill, the necessities of life only being dealt in. The excitement was further increased by the arrivtd of the country volunteers, who, of course, were of no more avail than the Christchurch ones. Wo do not know what the intentions of Lire Wrobanoff are, whether she will visit I) lined in, Wellington, or any other city and blackmail (hem. They have had a few days’ warning of her vicinity and, wo know, are making all preparations for resistance possible, though the nature of these preparations are for the present secret. We trust no city will be so unfortunate ns we have been in a Russian visit. It is a bitter reflection that if we had spent £30,000 wo should have been able to place such artillery at Lyttelton Heads as would have compelled the Wrobanoff to give them a wide berth. Of the Government policy we have now reaheed the bitterness, ap.l can eddy hope wo may not have to pass through the ordeal a second time. A monster meeting will bo held tomorrow in the Oddfellows’ Hall for the purpose of sending a petition to the Goyerntnont, asking them to pay the £500,000 blackmail, as it is manifestly unfair one portion of the colony should bo saddled with such a sum, the result of the negligence of the Government. We earnestly hope it may never be our painful duty to have to record another visit of an enemy’s vessel to our defenceless ports.