THE SIEGE GF SEBASTOPOL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume V, Issue 260, 28 April 1855, Page 3

THE SIEGE GF SEBASTOPOL.

(From the'ipecial Correspondent of the 'Morning Herald.') December 7. Out lite we are perpetually being told by the London Journals that Sebastopol is in ruins, its streets c»«ked with dead, and the few wretched inhabits ts and defenders that yet survive falling daily b hundreds a prey to war, pestilence, and famine Now there is not one pavticle of truth to iustfy these extieme statements ; and no matteiwith what patriotic motives they may be put-ftrward, they most decidedly inflict a considersble amount of mischief. They do not deceivethe allies who have Sebastopol continually befoe them, but they do deceive English and Freich people, and lull them into forgetfulness of 'hr critical position, and into'a .false confidence which, under all the circumstances, is cerminly not called for just at present. It was this indiscreet haste which led the good folks at hone " to draw in advance" for the capture of Sfhastopol, and undeceived .in this point they rush off to another, and begin to draw in advance for its destruction. Depend upon it this jitter fact is a mere illusion ; Sebastopol is not m ruins, and what is far more important still its 'defences are four times stronger and more vigorous than the first day we opened fire. I know this statement may m:»ke my letters unpopular with a certain set, who will see nothing but victories and causes for gratulation in all we do ; but nevertheless it is only the truth, and I am confident that time will vindicate my assertion even in the eyes of the public. To satisfy myself on this point beyond all possibility of doubt, I yesterday determined to visit the " ovens," our most advanced picqnet post, within 200 yards of the Russian batteries, and close over-looking the town and harbour. It is perfectly easy to approach this place now, for a covered way has been constructed to it,and both sides have, comparatively speaking, ceased firing for some time. At the first glance, I was led to suppose that the town had in reality been much injured, for all the little huts and storehouses connected with the dockyards wer,j indeed in ruins. But, changing my point de vue for one more lofty, 1 was soon convinced of my mistake. The real damage inflicted ou the town of Sebastopol amounts to this—all the huts used by the dockyard labourers and the Turkish parts of the town outside the walls are nearly destroyed— that is, laid almost lovel with the earth. This quarter appears to be the only dirty aud wretched part of Sebastopol—something of the same kind as our Ritcliffehighway. The walls are here and there marked with shot, but most unquestionably as defences, they are still uniujured. O'.ie large barrack inside, the wall.} against which our fire, as against a government building, has been particularly directed, is riddled in every part, and most of its roofs destroyed. The same is the case with 60 or 70 of tlie houses nearest the walls, but beyond this nothing has been done. Had any of the principal mansions more to the centre of tbe town been injured, it would be easily seen, as most of them are detached, and all as white as.snow, and instantly showing a shot-mark. The splendid structure which we Call the •"'Parthenon " — the Government House—and, indeed, 19-20ths of the buildings, show no trace of injury. The streets which I could see, and which, of course, were those nearest the batteries, were all in a most enviable state of cleanliness and good order. Jn these were numerous bodies of troops loung- , ing about unconcernedly, with their muskets f piled upon the pathways. Many civilians passed [■constantly to and fro, and now and then an ammunition wagon; but I saw uo trace of either women or children, or vehicles of the ordinary ■ description. Once during the time I was watchauj>;, three carts, laden either-by sick or wounded —mostprobably theformer—-passed towards the moy.h side of the town. None of the Russians aPL*ired to take the least notice of their suffe- [ r'nvg comrades, so that one may not unreasonably argue that they have got as used to death [■and misery as ourselves. The only incident [ that appeared to move-, these " Muscovs " was | the passage along the streets of an officer evidently of hiiih rank, *<vhen they all instantly t stood to their arms and beat their drums while !he passed just as the French salute their genepals. Near to the wails on the south are the i 3'uius of some large building, which has evidently been burnt. This is the hospital in which-so inniiv of the Russian wounded unfortunately perished. Two or three more houses near the dockyards are also blackened by lire, as it they h a d been " gutted," but the walls were

too thick to permit the conflagration extending. ! Many of tbe bouses of the Crimea—oven tbe peasants' cabins—are built with stone, and of extraordinary thickness, for the purpose of resisting the tremendous gales which sweep this part of the world in winter. As far as I can judge from traversing nearly two-thirds of the allied lines, the enemy's batteries appear generally iv good working order. Only in one or two instances were their embrasures masked—that is, closed up when a gun is dismounted—and these maskings I was informed by our officers would be merely temporary, as the enemy always managed to replace their artillery in 12 or 15 hours. I myself have seen them do so within three. The whole of the enemy's batteries are now protected by a deep ditch in front with regular abattis and rows of stockades and chevaux de frise. From this fact alone it is evident that they are guarding against, and therefore fear an assault. But it is principally of the north side that I wish to speak. I was told before I set out upon my survey that I should be astonished at the immensity of the Russian batteries, reaching from the head of the harbour to the east, right round to Starfort, and St. Severnia on the north, and all of which had only been unmasked two days previous. I know something of the nature of Russian works, and the energy of Russian perseverance, but still the tremendous exI tent of new redoubts and batteries which I then saw thrown up all round the city did indeed astonish me. Every space from the circular earthwork and martello tower (the latter now a mere pile of rubbish), round to the sea near Cape Constantine, is one long line of redoubts and batteries. Malta, Gibraltar, or the lines of Chatham —all in one, would be far more vulnerable than these formidable intrenchments, which are covered with infantry, pits, and deep ditches in front, and protected by scarped banks, stockades, and masses of cannon. I have seen many of what are called first-class fortresses, but the present aspect of Sebastopol might vie with any. That which struck me more than all was a certain coxcombry of finish about these works which I have never yet seen attempted elsewhere—no, not even in the elaborate redoubts of Cliobbam ridges. Every bastion was lined with stone; every embrasure perfect: every angle and sharp smoothed off with beautiful regularity; and as if the whole was rather an architectural embellishment than one of the most formidable kinds of defence known to modern warfare. It will scarcely be credited, but inside these are footpaths and made roads, covered with gravel and loose stones, and laid out with as much neatness as if intended to pass through private girdens. I could hardly believe my eyes when these latter adornments were pointed out to me, but there they were sure enough. It must have taken the enemy nearly as much time to make them as the batteries, aud as a matter of course, beyond the mere effect of the bravado—such as it is—they are utterly and entirely useless.. Yet, useless as they are, they have been made as if to show us how little the progress of our siege employs or impedes their numerous garrison. Your readers may perhaps, ask how it is that all these works have been erected within the last few days. But such is the case only with three or four to the extreme north. Nearly all the rest have been finished since we first opened fire, and though batteries have been known to exist there throughout, yet as the embrasures were always masked, no one knew where the guns were, or how to distinguish real batteries from breastworks. On our extreme left the French push the enemy closely. They have not lately advanced their works', but their third parallel is still within 200 yards of the Russian battaries, and only 400 or 500 from the houses outside the wall. The part of the town opposed to the French is certainly more injured than on our side—of course, because of their being nearer their guns have longer rnnge. The mud fort, which at the commencement of the siege mounted nearly 40 guns, is now almost untenable, and rarely fires. The Quarantine Fort of stone is almost ruined, and is certain to be completely destroyed the instant we resume our fire, but the Fla? Staff earthwork, which did the French so much injury is still, I retrret to say, almost as strong as ever. However, with regard to this latter opponent, our allies speak most confidently of being able to disnose of it when they wish. With the extra ordin aril v rapid means' by which communications are carried from St.' Petersburgh to the Crimea, it would scarcely be prudent to mention any of our plans of attack. Iv spite of the wet

weather and heavy state of the roads, the French have managed somehow or other to replace their old siege guns with fresh, and throw up several new batteries of considerable,, strength. They have 147 new guns and mortars already placed, and only wait until our fresh ordinance is in position to recommence their fire. Of course the efforts thus made by our allies have not passed unnoticed by the enemy, and nearly every night and moruing there is some sharp skirmishing going on in the French trenches. Ail these rencontres have but one result, namely, the total defeat of the enemy, with more or less loss according to their numbers. In these affairs, so perfectly certain are the French of success, that in nine cases out often their covering parties are entirely composed of volunteers, who come out as if for a "lark," to have a brush with the Russians. The fire of these fellows upon the Russian gunners tells with marked effect. At the Quarantine Fort not a man can show but at the risk of receiving nearly a pound of lead iv his carcase. The French have hit on a most successful and ingenious expedient for discovering and shooting their enemies in the batteries, even during the night, but of this matter also it would be unwise to speak further, as in the present state of affairs it is quite impossible to say how long we may require the secret. It is merely justice to our own brave fellows to state that our covering parties are quite as anxious and ready to compete with tbe enemy as the French are. In fact they look upon skirmishing quite as a day's sport, iv which every one has to " bag" as many Russians as he possibly can. Iv these " battues" some of our riflemen, and the best shots in lightcompanies, have acquired a terrible pre-eminence. The last day I was in the trenches, while a slight skirmish was going on iii front, and in a covered way I met one of our riflemen and a Russian riflemen *,valking slowly together. As I came nearer, I saw that the Russian was limping along in pain, resting his hand on our fellow's shoulder, who with two rifles under his arm, and a pipe in his mouth, was walking easily and coolly along, evidently giving his wounded opponent some good advice, which I have no doubt was all the better relished for not being understood. Struck with the singularity of their appearance, I waited till they approached, and asked the rifleman how he got his prisoner ? " Is it where did I get him, sir?" said he, with an accent of indignant surprise, " faith I shot him with my own two hands." "When did you shoot him ?'' I inquired. " When ? I shot him down there, of course," said he, poiuting to the "'ovens," where there bad been a slight skirmish. "He was doivn there behind a wall, sir, taking aim, with only his legs out, when I hit him with my last round in the kuee ; and I' ye got his pipe, sir, and I've got his bacca, sir, and all I want now is his boots, and I'm leading him to the hospital, when I can take 'em off him comfortable.'' Having said this much with a droll earnestness to which no words can do justice, he quietly resumed his way towards the reai, assisting and helping bis poor.wounded prisoner, who during the whole lime of our dialogue had been bmviii<r, cap in band, from one to tbe other, as if to implore our mercy and protection. By some inexplicable means or other the French have managed to ffet up their guns and mortars, in spite of the state of the roads, while we have been unable to move a single piece. Most of our batteries are to he furnished with mortars of 10 or 12 inches. With these it will be perfectly easy to destroy the town in 24 hrs. The effect of firing shell from guns and from mortars is widely different. Hud we been supplied properly with the latter at the commencement of the siege, Sebastopol would have been a very different place to what it now is. At the Inkermanu battery all the guns are in position. Eight 32-pounders have been gut up since my last letter. This work is expected to produce the most important results upon the shipping aud earthworks north of the harbour, but latterly I hive lost much faith in the effects of a mere cannonade. Unless a sharp guard is kept upon this battery we run a strong chance of losing it. It is fully 2,000 yard* in advance to the n<>rfh of our line, aud unless well supported, might easily he cut off. Our camp ground continues much in the same state as when I last wrote, but latterly we have had longer intervals of dry fine weather. The men, however, still appear to suffer much. They are mere dirty ragged spectres of their former selves. The majority of the whole force have now been on half rations foi about a fortnight. But it is not so unum this latter fact which has borne ouj;

enquire into the causes which had led to his removal, in order to guard against any despotic Tules that might grow up, If such a system prevailed, no man of position or character would condescend to hold office. Dr. Donald followed on the same side. He thought unless offices like these becane vacant with the tenure of the Superintendent's office, a great evil might arise by an unfair exercise of patronage during the last year of his holding office. Air. Hah. briefly replied, but made ua objection to the motion. • Mr. _A.MtLTOX said he had given notice to ask the hon. gentleman several questions having reference to Public Works. He desired to as • sure huu he had no desire to obstruct the business of the house, but simply to bring the whole subject under the notice of the members. The questions had reterence to the Jetty at Lyttelton, the ferry at the Rakaia, and the road to Timaru. Mr. Hau, said he could only repeat again that the delay arose solely from the utter inability of the Provincial Engineer to pay attention to the various works under consideration. A surveyor was now at Timaru, and as soon as possible that road would be laid out. As regarded public works generally, he thought that as the learned member for Lyttelton (Mr. Sewell) had already given notice for a committee on the Surveys, the two might very properly be united. Mr. Sewell thought the subject of surveys far too important tojleave to a select committee; indeed, the object he desired would not be attained except by a committee of the whole house. Their means of obtaining reports from select committees were necessarily imperfect, and if evidence was required their report would be far ton meagre to be satisfactory to the House. They were about to consider the Waste Lands' bill with which the surveys were so intimately connected, that no information could be of value, unless open to the whole bouse. Mr. Halo then proposed, and Mr. Ollivier seconded the nomination of Mr. Fooks to be chairman of Committees.—-Carried unanimously. Mr. Hall proposed that the committee on the Supplementary accounts of the Cauterbury Association should be instructed to bring up its report on Tuesday, the Bth May.—Agreed to. Mr. S. Bealbt .obtained leave to bring in a bill upon the subject of Education.—The hon. gentleman briefly alluded to the chief points which called for the interposition of the Government in the enactment of the Ordinance. He complained that one of the evils they suffered from was their inability to give permanency to tbeir engagements. Hence the difficulty in obtaining talent and skill in the conductors of tbeir schools. The ordinance would of course remedy this complaint. Leave was given to bring in the bill, aud it was subsequently read a first time. Mr. Hall rose to ask leave to bring in a Road and Drainage Bill. It proposed to establish local boards, which would not only be a better control over the public works, but would be a guarantee for thestrict exercise of economy in the expenditure. It would remove the objection that would otherwise be raised of government influence in the execution of particular works, He thouarht the people would readily pay the rate, if they were assured tbat the rate was to be expended under their own direction. It may be urged that the bill .would call into existence a numerous class of officials—but this need not be so. The majority of the commissioners would give their services gratuitously, and would act in conjunction with the said engineer. The country would be.divided into districts, and the commissioners elected in each district. The honourable gentleman then proceeded to explain some of the leading features of the bill, and concluded by asking leave to bring it in. Leave was then given, and the bill subsequently read a first time. Mr. Hall again rose for leave to bring in a Lyttelton Corporation Bill. He said thatV locjil self-government was essential in the'rural districts, it was essentially so in the towns, and more so for colonial towns than in any other. He.felt it was unnecessary to go fully into the measure. The house had affirmed the'principle, at .east, in its sanction to the road bill. The bil. would create a corporate body with power to ho} : ': property, to • tax itself for all local purpines and to superintend all matters of internal :i;K;-iist,;Mid these wereal ways far better conducted wheii \eh to persons who had a local interest in

them. The honourable gentleman strengthened his arguments by reading documents which had been transmitted from Lyttelton, (the proceedings and resolutions of the Colonists' Society). He contended that there was no force in the arguments which had been advanced that the Provincial Councils were prohibited from constituting municipalities. There were thirteen subjects excepted by the Constitution Act, but municipal corporations was not one of them. He instanced the case of Auckland, and proceeded to illustrate his arguments by reference to Sir J. Pakington's despatch. He concluded by moviug for leave to bring in the bill. Ma. Bbalej- seconded the motion, when a division was called for, and the bill lost by a majority of I; the noes being 9to 8. We subjoin the division:—' Ates.—Messrs. Packer, Brittan, Sewell, J. Bealey, S. Bealey, Donald, Fooks, aud J. Hall. Noes.—Thomson, Barker, Hamilton, Ollivier, Bray, Cookson, Westenra, Ward, and Aylmer. Mr. Hall then moved the second reading of the Extension of the Empowering .Ordinance, which gave rise to a very long iliscussion, but of so desultory a nature as to render any report of it impossible. The discussion was joined in by Mr. Sewell, Mr. Hamilton, Mr. S. Bealey, Mr. Brittan, and Mr. J. Bealey. The bill was finally allowed to be read a second time, and the house adjourned. Wednesday, April 25. Present—Messrs. Hall, Ayhner, Thomson, Ward, Fooks, Hamilton, Sewell, Westenra, Ollivier, Barker, Bray, J. Bealey, and S. Bealey. The Speaker in the chair. Rev. J. Aylmer presented a petition from residents on the Peninsula, praying for the retention of pre-emptive rights. Also a petition from D. D. Muter, Esq., both of which were ordered to lie on the" table. Mr. Hall laid on the table a copy of a case which had been drawn up, with the Provincial Solicitor's opinion thereon, having reference to the appropriation by the general government of the proceeds of the revenue arising from the sale of the Waste Lands. A committee was appointed at the suggestion of Mr. Sewell for the purpose of facilitating the transaction of business, and for the accommodation of members, to consist of Messrs. Tancred, Sewell, Westenra, J. Bealey, Fooks, Hamilton, and Thomson. Dr. Donald moved for ami Mr. Thomson seconded'pro forma, the production of correspondence and bye-laws of the Church Property trustees, with a view of proposing an amendment to the Act, if not of ultimately moving for its repeal. Mr. Hall objected upon the ground that the council would only be calling for the production of documents which it had not power to insist upon. The Trustees were a private corporation and as such could not be compelled to produce tbeir bye-laws. After a few words from Mr. J. Bealey, and Mr. Hamilton, and Dr. Donald in reply, the matter dropped. Mr. Thomson* moved the appointment of a Committee to enquire into the working of the Cattle Tresspass Ordinance, particularly clauses 4 to_jlljwith power to call for persons and papers. The Committee to consist of Messrs. Westenra, Ollivier, Ward, Hall, Packer, J. Bealey, Sewell, and Thomson, their report to be brought upon the 22nd May. Mr. Ollivier seconded the motion, and the Committee was appointed. Mr. Sewell asked if the government intended to take any steps in reference to the distribution nf the general revenue. Mr. Hall said it was a very important question. Shortly after the Constitution Act came into force, instructions were given to the Commissioner of Crown Lands, directing him to make certain payments, and after that had been done to pay over the net balance to the Provincial Treasury, (Dr. Barker, " No, to the Superintendent/) .Mr. Hall—Well, to the province, for if to the Superintendent the province was to have the benefit of it. This system prevailed till the. meetting of the General Assembly, when a stricter distribution of the revenue was directed. Sir G. Grey's regulations ceased to operate after the Ist July, when instead of the net balance being paid into the Provincial Treasury, the Comumsioner of Crown Lands was ordered to pay over to the General Government half tbe net revenue. There had been large purchases made prior to this date whbh the Commissioner had treated as unavailable deposits until October.

In consequence however of very urgent communications iromv Auckland calling for the remittance of this money, the Commissioner felt himself justified in considering it as revenue accruing before July 1, and in paying the whole net balance into the Treasury. Since that time a despatch came Mown .from the general go-W verninent in which the act wti9 declared to be wrong, and a demand has subsequently been made for the payment of 10 or £tl,ooo,|and the Crown Commissioner has been instructed to withhold all payments until the amount is refunded. The Provincial Government have protested against this view but without effect. Another and a stronger reraonstrancejhas been addressed to the General _overnment on the subject which it is hoped will be effectual. Mr. Skwbll said it would probably be better that he should postpone the motion which he had intended to make ; he would however avail himself of the opportunity to make a few remarks upon the subject. The hon. gentleman proceeded to confirm the observations of the Provincial Secretary. He defended the course pursued by the Commissioner of Crown Lands, and stated that the money was paid into the Provincial Treasury with the distinct approval of the general government. But inFebruary the general government thought proper to go back and revise that transaction ; he could not look upon this course of undoing what had been before done by its own acquiescence as a quibble utterly unworthy of the character and dignity of the general government. But what was their position in the Province? They had expended large portions of this fund in emigration, and in the construction of roads, and the general government has chosen to upset the whole of these arrangements. It was a breach of faith on the part of the general government, and that was the only language that house could or ought to use (Loud cries of hear, hear.) The money, within perhaps 2 or £3000, was entirely their own, and to take so large a sum as 10 oi X 11,000 was a virtual robbery of the settlement of so much money. The subject at a future day must be brought forward in a manner that the house could deal with it (cheers). Mr. J. Bealev asked if it was the intention of the Government to take any steps to limit the power of the Council in reference to the patronage of the government, Mr. Hall replied that the government did not contemplate any alteration so far as the preferment to Government offices was concerned of additional members of that house. Mr. Hall then brought forward the consideration of the government scheme for the disposal of the Waste Lauds. We regret we are compelled to postpone till Wednesday the report of Mr. Hall's speech on this subject and the debate which ensued. . An amendment was moved by Mr. Sewell—who objected to the discussion of the rate portion ol the bill separately—to this effect, —"That the whole subject of the disposal of the Waste Lands should be considered together and not in detached portions," which after considerable discussion was agreed to by the house. Thursday Evening. There was a very full attendance of members in the Council on Thursday evening. The government regulations for the appropriation of the waste lauds were under consideration. A long discussion took place, arising out of a matter of form, as to the mode in which the discussion should be taken. A resolution was proposed by Mr. Sewell, 'as an amendment to Mr. Hall's proposition, "That this council approves generally of the principles of the Taws for the waste lands published in the Government Gazette." A division was called for, when Mr. Sewell's resolution was agreed to. The house then went into committee, when Mr. Sewell moved the following resolution, " That the whole scheme for the disposal of the waste lands ought to be embodied in a distinct and direct form in any land regulations to be submitted for the Governor's approval." A very long debate ensued, in which Mr. Sewell, Dr. Barker, Mr. Hall, Mr. Packer, and Mr. Hamilton took" part. It was ultimately agreed that the opinion of the provincial solicitor should he taken upon certain points which had reference to the legality of tbe course intended to b_ pursued by the provincial government in the division of their measure, and particularly iv reference to the Laud Rate Bill. Friday morning. The Council met at 11 o'clock, and went into Committee of the whole house to enquire into I the state of the surveys.

1 Mr. Cabs, tbe chief surveyor, attended, and was under examination until nearly 3 o'clock. The evidence which that gentleman gave was of great importance. We purpose giving it, if possible, in our next. „-, NOTICES OF MOTIONS. '•"*■ In Committee on the Waste {Land Regulations, Mr. Sewell to move the following amendment to Mr. Hall's resolution— " That it is expedient to settle and define th? main principles on which the Land regulations should be framed before proceeding to consider the details. If carried, then-r—To more in committee the following resolutions. That the principles on which it is desirable that the Land Regulations should be framed, are as follows:— 1. That there shall be a uniform fixed price of rural land throughout the Province except in cases otherwise specially provided for. 2. That town land shall be sold by auction with a fixed upset price. 3. That the sums to be paid by purchasers shall consist of two distinct payments—one to be the price of tbe land ; the other contributions for specific public purposes. 4. That the price of the land shall alone be deemed liable to contribute to the N. Z. Company's debt and other general public burthens. And that the contributions for specific purposes shall be made payable without abatement direct to the Provincial Treasury, aud shall be applicable exclusively to Provincial objects. 5. That the specific objects to which such contributions shall be applicable, shall be, Immigration, Public Works, Religion, and Education. 6. That the proportions in which the funds arising from such contributions shall be distributed amongst such objects, shall be fixed from time to time by votes of the provincial council, and such funds shall be appropriated from time to time by the council. 7. That the whole sums payable by purchasers shall be paid at the time of purchase, subject to exception in particular cases to a limited extent, in favour of persons about immediately to settle and occupy the land purchased. 8. That in such last mentioned cases, the sums payable by such purchasers as contributions, may be made payable by instalments; secmity being taken for payment thereof at fixed periods; and security beiiig fuvtli'er taken for such purchasers immediately fencing or enclosing the land purchased, with a sufficient fence, so as to satisfy the provisions of the cattle trespass law. 9. That the sum to. be paid by purchasers as the price of rural land shall be 10s. per acre ; and the upset price of town land shall be at the i rate of £12 per acre. ; 10. That the sums payable by purchasers for | contributions shall be for rural land 30s. per ' acre, and for town land three times the price at i which the same shall be sold. 11. That the principles contained in the foregoing resolutions shall be embodied in a distinct and direct form in any! Land Regulations to be submitted for the Governor's approval.