A DOG BATTLLION FOR SERVICE AGAINST THE NATIVES.

Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 92, 22 September 1863, Page 3

A DOG BATTLLION FOR SERVICE AGAINST THE NATIVES.

Thefnllowingsuggestionhas some value: — " Now there is one mode, at all events, as an auxiliary, which has been much talked alioiit, but somehow or other few if any have written about it — I mean the iisr of dogs. Ido not mean bloodhounds, for we have them not ; neither do I moan dogs for the purpose of absolutely killing 'he Maoris; but I mean that all the bushransjing corps should be well provided with ordinary dogs of good scent, which have been accustomed to pig hunting, catflc hunting and so forth, two or three of each should accompany each part}-, and by scouring the bush in advance, which they will readily do, render the work much more safe as well as much more certain. I am convinced that dogs properly used for such purposes, as well as going with escorts, would be a great advantage; aud surely there should be no false delicacy which would deter us from using every means in our power in bringing the war to as speedy a termination as possible. The grand and great object must be by a vigorous effort to commence and finish the war with as little delay as possible; and the mpans which will tend lo this end should be the most humane as well as any most ecconomica 1 . While we have to deal with a foe who will use the most t eacherous as well as the most barbarous mode of warfare ; we must use all legitimate means of meeting such treachery and defeating it. Dogs, therefore, may be a help to us in so doing, and 1 really think a day should not be lost in forming a corps of dogs for war purposes. We all know, or those who have lived long in the country do — fie Maories' instinctive dread of dog-!, and surely we should work upon this dread. We know, also, the strong antipathy which European dogs, without any training, have to Maories. They will scent a Maoii a long distance in the bush, and thus drive him out. There is, I know, a disadvantage in writing on this subject as it sounds unpleasant to an English ear to talk of usinir dogs to exterminate the Maori race, and probably much fine and delicate philosophy may be expended over it. Hut I can see little difference between planting yourself in the bush or frrn, rifle and revolver in hand, to destroy every Mao-i on the track, and advancing through the bush with dogs j to discover the lurking places of the insidious enemy. Their very mode of fighting renders such a course necessary. If the Maori will come out for open warfare, let the battle be settled by such a course. If they choose theirpresenl secret and stealthy mode of warfare, Jet us do our best to meet it. You will never satisfy your opponents , by your mode of fighting them ; as they already tell us that it is nnfciir on our parts; for they have not big guns, rifles and such implements. But this is supposing we are fighting as a pleasure, or as a business, which is not the case. It is now with us a great and dire alternative, which we have to use to attain a certain end — the subjugation of the Maori race to law, order, and the mild rule of a gracious sovereign. We merely have to place them on a footing with ourselves; and the moment they are ready fully to admit that, and give ample security that the future of the colony will be peace and order, I presume the war would be at an end, but not until then.