The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, JULY 6, 1866. THE VOLUNTEER SEARCH PARTY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 105, 6 July 1866, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, JULY 6, 1866. THE VOLUNTEER SEARCH PARTY.

Yesterday the money given by the Provincial-Go-vernment to the discoverers of the bodies of the murdered Deep Creek: party,', ' was' divided amongst the volunteers, at the Trafalgar Hotel, by the Search Committee. The reward offered by- the Provincial Government ; was £400, .but. in consideration of the volunteers having refused to accept from 3Jr ; Kempthorne the sum he promised, they supplemented the £400 by another £100, malcing a total of £500. This sum had to be divided among 87 volunteers ■whose names, were, inscribed ..oh Mr. .Saxt on* s roll. The amount received, by each of these was £5 15s. There were some other claimants whose names were not on the roll, but who,' it was said, had done good service during tlie search. The claims of these persons were deferred for further consideration by the Committee. ; Soon after, twelve .o'clock the volunteers mustered 'at the Committee., Room, and were ushered in.'one by one to receive. the money. Mr. Saxton was. the paymaster. He sat at the table, with the money counted before him, and as each individual came in for Ms share addressed a few words of approval to him: Some he reminded of the difficulties they met with in the bush, others of the activity they displayed, and others of. some, special. services they conferred during the progress. of the painful undertaking. We append a list of, the ! names of the Volunteer Search Party from Mr.. Saxton's roll, and will publish those of the remainder so soon as the Committee shall have decided on their respective claims.. When the volunteers had received the money and signed their names, they assembled in the large room of the hotel where they were addressed by Dr.- Williams, the chairman of the Committee.

The chairman said it was the desire of the committee, now that the connexion was about to terminate, that he should address a few words to them previous to parting. When it was first reported that the murders of several persons had been effected in the province, the community was .too much, startled by the appalling news, to think its reality possible, and various were the surmises and modes of accounting for the disappearance of the missing men. As time rolled on and no satisfactory explanation given, the public excitement became intense, a deputation was appointed to communicate, with the police, a public meeting was held, at first in .the open air, of which. Mr. Luckie was appointed chairman, at which it was resolved a search party should be organised,,. with a view to find the missing travellers. It was determined the search, party should commence their operations from a certain point, which was indicated, work through the bush in a systematic manner from that point to Nelson, if necessary, and leave no means untried to find the missing men or their bodies if murdered, as they were now feared to be. . It was suggested that a committee shoiid be formed to superintend the search, which was accordingly done. The meeting then adjourned to the Trafalgar Hotel, and the individual who was then addressing, them, was appointed, he knew not why, chairman of that committee. (Cheers.)

A subscription list was opened, and a sum amounting to between £bO and £60 was immediately subscribed. The committee would never forget the indignant negative furnished by the men now present when they were asked if they expected to be remunerated for their services; one and all repudiated, in the most indignant manner, any idea of pay for services which they regarded as a solemn duty; the committee were very fortunate in securing as the head of the search party the valuable services of a gentleman, Mr. Saxton, who, from his great energy, experienca, and knowledge of the bush, they could confidently rely, upon as a most worthy leader. They knew that under his able superintendence the search would be carried on in a most unflagging manner till its object was attained (cheers). Messengers. were then despatched to Wakapuaka to enlist the services of the Maoris there in aid of the search, and an offer of the services of, James Marten arid some others was made next morning. It was resolved. to prepare ithe provisions, tents, packhorses, and packers that, would, be necessary in the intended search. The volunteers then set out, and, from their known character and efficient organisation, the public remained in the tranquil assurance that the duties of the search would be most faithfully carried out. • When the • news reached the town that the horse had been found, shot through the head, it was felt that the worst fears were realised as to the safety of the missing men. It was also felt that the search would be so complete and minute, that the bodies could not remain long undiscovered, however great the difficulties of the search.

When news was brought tliat a shovel, a gun,, a hat, some clothes, and even giinpowder was found in a piece of torn papery the > committee felt that- the bodies, would ,oiot long- remain- concealed. They, therefore, gave the captain orders to act only with snch men as were enrolled, and to give them supplies from his camp. . Not that they grudged anything- to the parties that were, not enrolled,.. but that: they wished. ,to,-prevent - the - search bein g prosecuted by parties of two or three, ia an unsystematic and desultory manner. The committee felt that having been appointed by the public,- they would be called to

give,; a prbper f account of their,stewardship,?for^h'atl suctf i'sma'Jl'.'ands^esultory parties (.aftepan i.un successful seiirch, the responsibility would hsve rested^pn ..those :.whb sent them\Out.; He "alluded to this because an attempt had been made "by some persons, and hesaid it with regret, to detract from the_credit..of the.^Searjcb: I^ar.ty.«.,,,The committeevwere confident the bodies would be found^from the careful and efficient manner in which the ,search'Twas conducted. The next step in the progress of the search was the. waiting ,pf-a;deputation«;on«his; Jloner the Superintendent, and : the .promise'- by him of a reward of £400 in consequeneeot their.representai,ions. It .was.the .determination' of ,the committee to ; search every inch of country. . where it .was .possible Ihe bodies might , be. .secreted, and. they entertained the opinion from the commencement that the bodies would be found near the spot where : they , [were actually discovered. ... On the. second evening of their meeting the secretary laid a plan of: the ■■ country on the table, and indicated the exact spot where the bodies were found. , ." ' ■

; It was determined fo. search .the whole courijtryon both sides of the track, and the Government were prepared to pay £20,000 or ,£30,000 if necessary, to explore the whole' country from, the Maungatapu to Nelson, every yard of it to be carefully searched, so that it would have been impossible, for -the bodies -;to remain long concealed. (Cheers.) Is ..'was unnecessary for him, to remind those present.of the share they had borne in' this arduous and toilsome search. Their prompt andi cordial; co-operation in carrying out the. wishes and instructions of- the committee and their leader, were, attended with the most important results. Tor had not such, determination 'to carry out the .search been evinced. by the Government, the committee, and the volunteers, the . murders would not have so soon been disclosed, and one of the acconiplices,would not, to save his - own. wretched life, have split upon his comrades. It was determined to conduct the search from a given point,, for a distance of six miles in a sectional arid complete manner on each side of the road; so that there r could be no doubt of the result that would have ensued in consequence. The speaker ,refer,red .to the facts of Sullivan 'scon-, fession having , been concealed from the committee, of a special, messenger haying been sent to the camp to request them to stop searching till thei arrival of Mr/yhallcrass,.who.wo.u]d.be.prepared..to .point ..out the exact spot where the bodies were, secreted, and said, although the party had-begun by searching on the wrong side of the creek, -they were prepared to commence on, the right side, and would 'have found the, bodies without the information- conveyed by Mr. Shallcrass, in consequence ,of Sullivan's eonfession.' Besides Constable Flet% who first pointed^ out- the bodies, was an enrolled -volunteer as well as a constable, .and the committee would not allow anyone to detract from the merit which the volunteer party had. fairly earned.

On behalf of the committee, he begged -to assure ~ them that no effort at detraction would cause the volunteers to stand less highly in their esteem and admiration. They came forward nobly at the iirs't, without hope or promise of reward, and set out with the resolution not to return without the bodies (applause). If it was said the bodies might have been found earlier by taking a different course, the committee were willing to admit that the fault, if airy, was theirs in having instructed the leader of the party to search every inch of the whole country from .Frank lyn's Flat to Nelson. They- intended to find the bodies, and they had the Government to back them. They had determined to find them, cost what it would. The remarks of the detractors he had referred to reminded him of the story of Columbus: some persons found, the discovery easy after he had shown the way, just as the. way to make an egg stand was easy when Columbus showed them how to do it. It would have been well to have saved so much valuable time and labor, but the volunteers had carried out the instructions of the committee, which were founded on a basis that would have insured success. He doubted not when the. story reached Canterbury, it would receive a strong mark of recognition by the press of that province; and when the papers .reached him he would take care they were forwarded to those present.

He wished to observe that the money just paid them was not on the .ground, of. their claiming' a reward, but it was a willing contribution from the Government, as that to which they had a right, and on the same principle as clasps, medals, and the Victoria Cross are given to soldiers who have distinguished themselves in the- service of their country. The Committee, felt that the Volunteer Search Party had done great service to the 1 state, and they ■ would be glad to see .then). all with a decorative .medal on their breasts (applause). They had not taken the money as pay, perish the thought, but" as the soldier takes his ribbon as the reward- of merit (cheers). Before they separated there was another matter . to which he wished to refer. ..He wished to return thanks to the Government, who, through the Superintendent, had co-operated with- them in the. most efficient manner. He also wished to thank the Resident Magistrate for his cordial co-operation on all occasions when a deputation [.waited on hiin,; as well as for the courteous reception he invariably gave them._ The Committee -were- also .very grateful for the services of the Nelson police, who had displayed' great skill .and courage in the capture of some of the worst enemies of society, who.prpw.led- about like wild beasts to prey upon -it.- Whilst sorry -.to say farewell, he must now inform them that the fillies of- the Committee' ceased. He ; would, .conclude- ■'■'byr' expressing their grateful thanksj.hoping.the' volulrteers would be 1 favored with health and prosperity m- : : their peaceful-avocations-and have the enjoyment.-; p'&au approving conscience for haying contributed^ then\yaluable assistance in so great an emergency." '•. V?" i Mr. Kenipthprne said the last speaker had left him little -to say, but ; lie ; . was; glad" 'to hear .Mmlallude. to ths police who; were, worthy of the .praise for the;

valuable "assistance "they; rendered, ;&nd the speedy, nianner iiti- which they arrested some of the' greatest criminals. He was'also instructed to convey to4he Volunteer Search Party, the heartfelt thanks of Mrs. Mathieti ! arid her son for the able manner in wjucfi they had 'prosecuted the painful search. 1 ■■ Of poor Dudley he was not able to say much, not'krio wing' anything of his history, and of Pontius, who was' ah ! American, it might fairly be presumed that so; soon l as the news of his sad fate reached his own country, it would cause' a feeling of grateful recollection of ■ those who had mourned over -their fellow^country-" man with such genuine sorrow, arid paid^tlie last tribute of respect to. his mutilated remains He coincided in the thanks accorded to the' Superintendent and Executive Council, who were prepared, at any cost, tocarry out the search (cheers). The volunteers were also to be praised for their attention to orders and submission to their captain, who had discovered great spirit, was well worthy of their obedience, and was entitled, to the greatest merit. He hoped some means would be devised of showing appreciation of his services in a marked way (cheers)l He must now allude to one who was fair away — his, mother ; his father being dead. The painful intelligence when it reached her would hasten her to the grave. She was a good and clever woman, and would receive the rod as inflicted by him who governs the universe, for wise and salutary purposes, and bow with' childlike submission to the great ' calamity (sensatipfl): ' He', tendered them Ms sincere thanks, and w bidding them farewell wished them God speed and great prosperity in all their undertakings (applause); •' Mr. Luckie said he would only add a Few" words' to those which had been' uttered withso much truth by the chairman and feeling by the last speaker. The committee were. deeply sensible of the value of the services rendered by the volunteers, and so were the public also. He should always look back with a mix Iture of pride and sorrow to his connection with them, and was happy to congratulate them on the success of the object and which reflected so much credit upon them (cheers). Mr. Saxton thanked the volunteers for the promptness and alacrity 1 with which they had carried out his instructions, and the committee for the readiness with which they supplied all that he asked them for. He was entitled to no praise. He had simply done his duty, the volunteers had done all the work (cheers). Mr.' W: Phillips returned thanks in behalf of the Volunteer Search Party, and the preceedings were terminated' by' several rounds of cheering, . mutual congratulations, and expressions of mutual regard.

T. Harley, A. B. Cox. J. Eichardson, T. Snow, G. Snow, J. Taylor, W. White, F. W. Eentoul, J. Black, F. Nairn, G. WUlcocks, T. Mabille, C. Bird, J. Stephenson, B. D'Lagone, D. Johnson, W. Sharp, W. Davis, E. Mcade, E, Stevens, J. Walker, H. Bailey, 11. Evans, J, Cocklan, j. Edwards, H. L. N. Clarke, J. Bloy, J. Solo, J Colquhoun, H. Brj r an, C. Morgan, H. Hope, W. Miillips, W. Kuns, J. Meharry, J. Fitzpatrick, W. Clark, H. Nelson, J. Griffin, M. Browi, G. Paul, 11. Sutherland, P. O'Connor, W. Hall, G-. Baker, J. Harris, T. Morgan, J. May, W. Herring. — M'Donald, W. Work, K. Buchanan, M. Quirk, J. Woolf, W. Jeffrie, P. M'Calpin. J. Cassidy, F.Moore, W. Cuthbert, R. Newman. T. M'Rae, J. Kussell, B. Ivieper, G. Edwards, G. Davis, G. F. Johnston, J. Gilholley, J. Toping, J. M'Guffie, — M'Conkie, — Erskine, S. Baker, H, Miller, W. Price, J. Smith. Constables— J. Bradcock, H. Martens, W. Flett. Maoris— J. Martin, Athanasius, liopira, Tamakie, Wirihana, Tehora, Edwin.