ARRIVAL OF THE OTAGO VOLUNTEERS AT NEW PLYMOUTH.

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 90, 15 September 1863, Page 5 (Supplement)

ARRIVAL OF THE OTAGO VOLUNTEERS AT NEW PLYMOUTH.

(From the laranaki Herald.) The Geelong, steamer, witli the first contingent of the Otago Volunteers, arrived heie about mid-day on Tuesday last, aftc-r a long passage of nine days from Otaao, which place she left on Monday, the 17th. Tlie Geelong called at Lyttelton, and had fine weather until off the Kai Iv ras whon sho encountered a gale which lasted fourteen hours, and reached Wellington Heads on the 21st, and having coaled, left at 1 p.m. on tlie 2-nd with a fair wind up to Kapiti, when it commenced to blow 'hard from the northwest, followed by a heavy gale from the west, during which one of the paddle boxes was carried away. After struggling for some time it was deemed advisable to return to Wellington for coal instead of going into the Sound, which was done, and she remained over Suiaday and left about 10 a.m. on Monday The Geelong brings 120 of the Volunteers, collected at Otago by Lieut. Mace, and approved of by Mr Ilranigan, tbe Commissioner of Police, to wi;ose kindness i and experience Mr Mace has been much j indebted in tbe selection of men of good I character for the service. J The remainder of the 200 may be expected I by the next trip of the Airedale with Mr Mace. We hear that there would be no difficulty in raising double the number, but that the state of the roads from snow and mud from the Dunstan and Shotover diggings, together with the want of means with many to defray the ex-penses-of a return to Dunedin, for the hour rendered it impossible. Captain Boyd, ofthe Geelong assures us that ho never carried a better conducted lot of men than fhe has ! brought here. During the tedious voyage, ! although literally packed as close as herrings in a barrel, the utmost good humour prevailed, [ and on rounding the Sugar Loaves tliey went through the courtesy of presenting Captain ; Boyd with a testimonial letter thanking him L for the kind usage they had received. I We have great pleasure in recording that ; in the execution of his important trust, Mr. Mace has received the cordial co-operation of the authorities at Otago, ancl he -especially mentions the assistance and advice he received from Mr. Branigan, the gentleman before mentioned. There is nothing but satisfaction expressed here at the result of Mr. Mace's exertions. The present contingent was entrusted by Mr. Mace to the care of Mr. Fleming, late of this Province, who undertook tlie charge at some inconvenience, and has performed the duty in a manner which demands some mark of approbation. It only remains for us, now that the men : trusting in the honesty of tho representations ! made to them are on the spot, to lend them that confidence im their position which ma}' yet be wanting with many of them. In militia pay and rations permanent sustainment is immediate and continuing, and a short time Avill no doubt see them in possession of much leisure time for whicli it will be their own fault if they do not find profitable employment. Here then is a good exchange for a precarious existence ; this, and the guarantee of permanent settlement they have on land without co.*t, are advantages which the situation lends them beyond any that the settlers they arc now to mix among ever had. The land to be allotted to them is as good as the best land occupied by the settlers, and much superior to a large extent upon which thousands have been expended to make it available for cultivation. The distance of this block from tbo town of ISfew Plymouth is scarcely five miles, the term of probation is not a Jong one, and with moderate industry, prudence, and propriety ot conduct, a respectable and independent position is within the reach of all.