ARRIVAL OF H.M.S.S. ESK, WITH HEADQUARTERS of the 12th REGIMENT.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 6, Issue 332, 14 December 1865, Page 2

ARRIVAL OF H.M.S.S. ESK, WITH HEADQUARTERS of the 12th REGIMENT.

Late on the afternoon of Monday, the 11th, we received intelligence that a steamer was in the Bay, bearing for Napier, and visible from Shakespeareroad. However that may have been, at an early hour the following morning a signal from the Barrack Hill announced that a steamer was in sight from the N.E. A very short time elapsed ere the gallant vessel was at her anchorage,—the Sunbeam gracefully dipping her bunting on the approach of the man-of-war, which proved to be H.M.S.S, Esk, 21, Captain Luce, three days from Auckland, with the head-quarters of the 12th Regiment. The news spread like wildfire j and soon the Eastern Spit presented such a scene of bustle and activity that we have not seen for many a long day.

About noon, dense clouds of smoke were seen to issue from the funnel of the little paddle steam boat, Sturt, which was lying alongside Routledge’s wharf; and the knowing ones at once surmised that she would be engaged to land the troops,— which afterwards proved to be the case. We have not the space, though, the desire, to present our readers with a full account of the transhipment of the soldiers from the Esk to the Sturt, —the difficulty experienced in the performance of that work, —nor of their final landing on the Spit. Suffice it to say that about four p.m. they had all“fallenin,” and, after some delay, were marched to Gore Browne Barracks, preceded by their own fine band and that of the 70th, —a large number of persons accompanying the gallant fellows to their new quarters on the hill. The two bauds played alternately some spirited tunes ; and on reaching their destination the new-comers, were greeted with three hearty cheers from the men of the 70th (who were on the qui vioej, which were lustily returned. We must not forget to mention that the numerous civilians present joined heartily in the truly British welcome given by the men of the 70th to their comrades of “ The Dozen.”

The 12th Regiment—taking as a specimen those that arrived here by the Esk on Tuesday last—seem a fine body of men,—chiefly veterans, —men who have gone through some hard work, in Australia, in Taranaki, in Waikato, —and who have now the prospect of enjoying a few days’ rest and quietness, till stern duty again calls upon them, — at which summons we have no doubt they will (as in days gone by) cheerfully respond. We welcome the 12th to Napier, and trust that, during theirsojourn amongst us (which we fear will bo brief) good feeling and cordiality will ever prevail between them and the colonists with wham they may come in contact. In conclusion, we may here mention a singular coincidence which has just occurred to us, viz , that of the arrival of the 12th Regiment on the 12th day of the 12th month of the year.