WHAT THE PROVINCIAL SYSTEM MAY LEAD TO

Southland Times, Issue 664, 1 May 1867, Page 2

WHAT THE PROVINCIAL SYSTEM MAY LEAD TO

On receipt of telegrams' from TOunedin, containing an account ofc^the "state ?Jhat Province yas placed in bj an impending civil war, the arming of the people, and the determination to be independent; of the General Government, together with the half-expressed wish to secede, and follow the example of the Southern States of North America, the utmost, excitement prevailed in the neighboring Province of Southland. The Government used the most prompt measures ; the Executive sat all night ; the navy was placed on a war footing, and the army was increased in the space of 48 hours to the enormous amount of 22 men, 'exclusive of the Eiverton volunteers. The command of the army was entrusted to General James Harvey, late of the Volunteers, and Lieut-General T. K. Weldon, for many years commanding the regular force of "bobbies." The naval force 'was entrusted, to Admiral EUes, who immediately hoisted his flag on board the Southland pilot boat. Captain Greig com. manded the horse marines,, and Captain! Thomson took charge of the Bluff ir- 1 regulars. Everything was done with the utmost expedition, and the public waited with the greatest anxiety to learn the result of the momentous question— peace { or war. As usual, the efforts of diplomacy were not omitted, and pending the decision of the General Government, the following despatches were published for general information in a Southland " Gazette " Extraordinary. The Sotebihtendbnt op Otago to the Str?Eß- '". : " INTBNDENT OP SOTTTHLAND. « Provincial Buildings, . ; '" Dunedin, 27th April, 1867. " Sib,— The grave events that have recently occurred in this Province induces me to lay before your Honor the consideration of the question whether the relations of the General Government to the different Provinces are not inimical to the progressive march of intellect, and the abatement of the power of Otago. "The Government of Princes-street, fully alive -to the magnitude of the interests atrstake in sustaining the inviolibility of Provincial rights, seeks to frankly elicit the sentiments whichanimate the. Go- - vernment of Dee-street, on the events which have taken place in Dunedin. "The important interests involved compels ma to despatch the 4th corps d'arme to the boundary of the Province of Southland, and generally to increase the Otago . army. Lieut.- General St. John Brannigan, acting under the orders of General Bathgate, is intrusted with extensive powers, to co-operate if necessary, with the commander of the Southland forces.: Orders have been transmitted to the various naval commanders not to; engage in hostilities with any . ships of war df the Province of Southland. " The identity of interests that subsists between the lamb and the wolf may generally be applied to the Provinces of Otago and . Southland ; such, therefore induces me to seek the active co-operation-of your Province in resisting the daily increasing power of the proud and haughty tyrants—the Supreme Government. "Accept, Sir, the sentiments of my distinguished respect. ; •-- --.;•-" (Signed) Macahdeew. " (Countersigned) Yogel. "Minister of FmanceT" On receipt of the above, a special meeting of the Executive was at once convened, when after a lengthened discussion, the following reply was despatched to Otago. v • The Superintendent op Sottthsiitd to thb StJPEBINTaNDEKT OP OlAGK); ' ..." Provincial Buildings, " Dee-street, 28th Aprilj 18671 " Sib,— The special courier conveying your Honor's despatch has just arrived, and I hasten to inform you of the intentions of my Government. : " The Government of Dee-street views with profound emotion the existing complications between Otago and the General Government. . . . " But while a feeling of anxiety and a sincere desire to witness a speedy recon- | ciliation animates the .Southland Government, certain leading points require to be explained. "It would appear that the whole difficulty has originated in the refusal of the General Government to delegate to your Honor personally, certain - powers necessary to your dignity. The appointment of: Mr: Bradshaw, however, is simply a_ . prelude to the regular office of a Minister of -Mines, having jurisdiction over the whole colony, similar to what exists in Victoria. It appears certainly somewhat annoying that such an event should have taken place during^ your Honor's tenure of office, but the question is not of that importance your Honor seeks to convey. This Government views the situation of affairs as simply a storm in the Otago teapot. .'.-... "The Government of Dee-street consequently cannot recognise the right of Otago to send; an army of observation to.; the.- Mataura river ,to overawe this Province, and regrets that Otago should have thought fit to increase her army and navy. . : "Southland has, therefore, in self-de-fence, deemed it prudent to increase her: army and navy. Secure, however, in the greatness of her name, as'identified/vrcth the onward march of civilization and her extensive credit in the money market,she : wouldbedisposed to offer her friendly mediation between the two great powers, that, by an amicable arrangement, the horrors o£ warimay be avoided. But, if a combination? of circumetaacss should iaYohe the

Middle Island in hostilities, the first gun that is fired would justify Southland in seeking : to rectify her boundaries and protecting the Provincial honor. / " The Government of Dee-street have always considered that tne natural boundaries of this province should extend to the ' Lake District, and embrace a considerable portion of the West Coast. Moreover/the allusion of your Honor to the fable of the i ' Wolf and the Lamb ' is perfectly understood and appreciated. „ ., , " Lieut-General Weldon has been dispatched to the Mataura with sufficient force to protect the interests of Southland. " "Accept, Sir, the assurance; of my" des- Z tinguished regard. , - - " " (Signed) . Taylob.' {' j" "(Countersigned) Blackloce:, : " Finance Minister " Immediately after the above despatch _ was writen, the startling ' intelligence arrived in Invercargillthat a collision had taken place at the Mataura between the Otago and Southland forces,,resulting in a victory to the latter. Intense excitement was manifested, and the Government, to satisfy the public mind, at once published the despatches relative to the engagement. BtlS HOSTOB THE SXTPBHINXEirDENT OF SOUTH"Head Quarters, Mataura, "30th April, 1867. " Sib— L I have to inform your :Horior that a collision has taken place between the troops under my command and the Ofcago forces, resulting however,'! am happy to say, in the complete defeat of the latter. , . ...-.-•, . . ._- - : ; ,-: " Obeying the orders I received to" remain neutral, 1., did everything in my power to avoid hostilities ; but : the gross and uncalled-for insults which were given to the officers and' men : under. liny command ;by . General Brannigan and the Otago forces, compelled me, in self-de-fence, and to sustain the honor: of the; Southland arms, to engage, the enemy. "For some time" previous reports reached me that the enemy were making ' '-'_ a forward movement ; I therefore ordered up the artillery to the front to cover any operations that might be made by the cavalry — the ground being admirably adapted for such a purpose. '. - " Before entering into a description of the engagement, I may state the nature of the provocation. The hostile armies were placed directly "opposite each other, and the conversation at the camp fires was /distinctly audible to eachforce — both of which were principally composed of . Irishmen. The impression left on my mind was that St John Brannigan was determined to fight, contrary to his" instructions;' because, on his -taking up a position, he ordered one of his followers to trail on the ground, immediately oppq-. site my forces, and within hearing, a garment, having very long, tails,, who cried , out at the same time, in derisive toiies, "■ and in a most insulting manner-^---"'Hoo'l thread on the tale b me coat?' . '.■•■-■:-■. . . . . ' i" Although highly offended and annoyed,. I gave strict orders not to to make . any "aggresßi"ve*~mo'vementr~ \NW "content with this, the enemy, headed by St John Brannigan, again cried but aloud, and. whilst observing, a defiant-attitude— ;. ? , ;; "'Arrah, wnl ye fite, ye dirty spalpeens ?' ■ ■ ■ *' To which my fbrce indignantly ire- ; plied, — v •.; ; '- " ' Get along : wid yej ye dirty blackguard i^ayneans. Arn't you ashamed ;0* yerselvMjintirely?' • ■ .ii- " This cutting allusion to their disloyalty seemed to infuriate the enemy, j who vociferated, brandishing, their weapons — ._ J . ." • Arrah,ri9 .tHat,^ what yer at, ye &rty mane fellows'? Come on 'wid ye !" ' " ■- " The engagement, then took place. The cavalry charged, the artillery roared, r shillelaghs cracked: skulls, and hideous Xwar cries resounded throughout the air. I may particularly mention- the braveiy of Sergeant Morton, of the cavalry. The whole of his troop, went under fire in a. most gallant style, singing the spirited " och Honej" Widdy Macree." "Sergeant O'Keefe, who carries these J despatches, will furnish your Honor with further particulars. ; He was charged to supply the army with provisions, and: 1 ... - :: must say that the manner in which he emptied the enemy's hen roosts is beyond allpraise.. I recommend him for the" first vacant- commission. The whole battle : . was a most brilliant one, and the greatest praise is due to the- troops under my ■ command for their bravery and discipline. I have pushed forward my outposts and., purpose, with your Honor ? s permission^, lo '>■ occupy the Molyneux for strategical purposes. ' " .-■ j • "(Signed) T. :K;Weldok,-/ •. " Lieut- General Commanding." On receipt of the above a second despatch wwars r immediately- sent byr a; ~\ special courier— It. waa as follows : — r - — The SxnPEEiNTEHDBNi.b'B 1 SbxrckiAiNb to the ; ; SUPEEINTENDEIfT OP OTAGO. . •- " Provincid Buildings, ! 'l / " Dee-street, 30th April, 1867. ,,,. " " Sißj-^The courier being about to ' proceed to Otago, I take this opportunity : of acquainting your Honor, that a collision has taken place between the Otago and Southland armies. .^The fault, itiil appears, was on the side of Otago. I.;. need only mention that the commanders — St. ' Jphn Brannigan arid v T. K. Weldpn---are both . natives , of , - the Emerald file, : in -order to demon- " strate the necessity of issuing- the most' J .\ stringent orders to prevent a like occurrence. The territory in possession of the Southland troops will be held aB a material guarantee" against similar engagements. Copies .of all despatches have been forwarded to the General Go- * v6rnment.rrrAccept, <6c, "-- " ; : "(Signed) ;. Tatlob. ;" (Countereigned) " Blacklock, ; : : .-._-- ;":Knance Minister." The result of the engagemeat haa satisfied the people of Soutblaad, It, i| ...