THE GHOORKAS.

Grey River Argus, Volume VIII, Issue 541, 6 July 1869, Page 4

THE GHOORKAS.

(To the Editor of the Grey River Argu*.) Sir, — I can scarcely well understand how the proposal of Mr Cracroft Wilson for the introduction of Ghoorkas into New Zealand should meet with so much iq p >sition ; or, indeed, that it should meet with a.ny opposition whatever. Were a little more generally known concerning these tribes, mainly with respect to their military character, and the services the}' have already rendered us in Indian wars, 1 think that much of the distrust manifested to their employment would be overcome. From the time that we, by the extension of our Indian territory, came into contact with the Ghoorka race, they have been our constant aud faithful allios, and for the last thirty years have, side by side with us, fought gallantly aud successfully in almost every one of the hard contested battle fields of India, Situated among the jungles and fastnesses of the mountainous borders of Nepaul, and ad? joining the British possessions, the Ghoorkas or hill tribes have long enjoyed and Well maintained the character of a brave and warlike independent soldiery. Their trade is war, aud no clan or race of warriors ever more eagerly buckled on their armor for the fray than do these little Asialp Zouaves gather round when the British war-slogan is sounded. All their early training bears a similitude to the prpsent system of warfare carried on by the Maoris, and a Nepaulese jungle is not more easily penetrated than is the thickly-tangled undergrowth of a Maori scrub. Physically formed by nature thus to adapt himself to the requirements of such a systpni of warfare, and possessing an iron constitution, indomitable, bravery, and great powers of endurance, familiar with toil and hardship, moreover a true soldier of fortune, the Gho»rka thus possesses all the requisites we want in an ally, or, if needs be, in a newly-formed irregular corps of Zouave Light Infantry. In them we could have the nucleus of a body similar to those so-named famous French corps, whether as Zouaves, Turcos, pr Easterns, and I feel certain that with them, by an amalgamation of races, we could produce English Zouaves possessing a panther-like activity andlipn-like daring, whose future deeds would not pale under the famous exploits of their Algerine prototypes. Besides, if only matters of economy were considered, it will he found that these troops could be had and efficiently maintained at lgss than quarter of what it costs to keep the European settler. Their rations of rice, a little butter or ghee, and a few more simples, cost only a trifle, and the pay of an European recruit for one week would nearly recompense them for six times that period, As they are generally Mahommedans, they, by their removal and change of diet, lose no caste, and should the country decide after they have terminated the war, upon sending them back, each man returning would do so to him enriched, and so situated as to make his neighbors emulous of following his example. It cannot yet be forgotten that iv India during the last mutiny they rendered invaluable service to the Crown, and, forming as they did, part of nearly all the moveablecoluinns which übiquitous like swept tha,t country from end to end, Were of more servige in stamping out the embers of tha,t rebellion than years of civic negotiation or missionary twaddle could have ensured. As I have already stated, they possess unceasing and untiring activity, and once out against the enemy would never allow him to have a moment's peace. The Island ere long would be swept from end to end, and the noble savage would find that even his hitherto impregnable fortress— the bush— could not bring him Security. Armed with his deadly and murderous long knife, disc, and rifle, the squat, ungainly-looking, little bush soldier would move like a lithe serpent through the scrub, and unawares to the enemy would fight him upon a system of tactics of which at present he thinks he alone is inastar. Similar in all respects to an American Indian tracking, he never rer turns when he once gogs out upon the trail without bringing back a gpod account of his enemy. In the open field the Ghoorka is alike good, and I can well remember during the exciting times of the mutiny in India, when the Ahimbaugh was Stormed, of reacting of the reckless bravery displayed by the troops on that eventful day, Foremost, of course, amongst all was the old chief's own 9§rd, stalwart, ptrong, and soldierly, the par excellence regiment in India, and well they that day merited that opinion ; yet close to them, and only attracting attention from the barbaric sounds issuing from their camp and the peculiarity pf their stunted appearanpe and variety of weapons, were the Ghoorkas, who, of all them that day, were not to be the last or the least. The good Sir Henry passes the word along to make ready to storm the fprtress, and eager eyes are, bent upon the doomed piles ; belts are "tightened, muskets firmly clasped, and each heart bounds high with delight that here at least the God of vengeance has given the murderers' Jives into their hands, with a maddened cry, like bloodhounds Jet loose from the strain of the leash, all bound forward, each eager to be the first to gain the desired goal ;— a wild maddened crew— doubly maddened by the thunder-rshont of Cawnpore ringing in . their ears .'—they thronged and rushed. At last the walls are nearly reached, aud two forms aje seen distinctly in advance of all the-resfcrr-two f opus who simultaneously throw themselves among the excited Sepoys, hut who soon stand alone in the place where lately was an armed crowd. The clubbed, musket of a 93rd man, and the loop knife of the Ghoorka had done their deadly work, and they stood there alpne ajnong the dead and dying, tha, victims of their bravery, Of such are the Ghoorkas..— 4 am, &c, ]V!|!ob«fussh,ite.