THE AUGEAN STABLE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume V, Issue 287, 1 August 1855, Page 3

THE AUGEAN STABLE.

The policeman walks abroad in the streets of Balaklava. Colonel Harding, the new commandant, has exhibited great ability in the improvement of the town, and he has means at his disposal which his predecessor could not obtain. Lord Raglan is out and about the camps every day, ami Generals Estcourt and Airey are equally active. They all visit Baiaklava, inspect the lines, ride along the works, and by llieir presence and directions infuse an amount of energy which will go far to make up for lost time, if not for lost lives. A sanatorium is being established mi the heights im- 400 patients. The filthy heaps accumulated by the wretched Turks who perished in the fetid lanes of Balaklavii, and the masses <>f abomination unutterable which they left behind them, have been removed aud mixed with stones, lime, manure,

and earth, to form piers, which are not so .offensive as might be expected. The dead horses are being collected ami buried beneath lime and earth. The railway extends its lines by night and by day. A little naval arsenal has grown up at the north side of the harbour, with shears, landing-wharf, and storehouses, and a branch line will be made from the spot to the trunk to the camp. In a fortnight more, it is hoped, the first engine will be at work, and it is lying all ready for work, with the driver and all the apparatus for pulling up the trucks beside it at its allotted station. The harbour, 'crowded as it is, has assumed a certain appearance of order. The collections of rotten clothes and rags, the garments of the poor Turks, have been burnt. Cesspools have been cleared out, and the English Hercules has at last begun to stir up the heels of the oxeu of Augeus. The whole of the Turks are removed to the lull-side, where they have encamped. Each day there is a diminution in the average amount of sickness, and a still greater decrease in the rates of mortality. A good sanitary officer, with an effective staff, might do much to avert the sickness which may be expected among the myriads of soldiers when the heats of spring begin. The thermometer ha's, on an average, been 45 degrees during1 the, day for the Jast three days. To-day it was 52 degrees. Fresh provisions are becoming abundant, and supplies of vegetables are to be had for the sick and scurvy stricken. The siege works are in a state of completion, and are admirably made. Those on which our troops are now engaged proceed uninterruptedly.- A great quantity'of mules and ponies, with a stafi of drivers from all parts of the world, have been collected together, and lighten the toils of the troops and of the Commissariat Department. The public and private stores of warm clothing exceed the demand for it. The mortality among the horses has ceased, and though the oxen and sheep sent over to the camps would not find much favour in Smithfield, they are very grateful to those who have had to feed so long on salt junk alone. The sick are nearly all hutted, and even some of the men in those camps which are nearest to Balaklava have been provided with similar comforts and. accommodation. These are all cheering and delightful topics to dwell upon. EFow happy one is to communicate such most pleasing intelligence ! As for the siege itself, there is reason to believe that, ere very long, we shall be in a position to commence hostilities with great effect. More it would be imprudent to ask.— Correspondent Morning Herald.