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Colonist, Volume III, Issue 280, 26 June 1860, Page 3

How to Do It.—Colonel Gold was lately much astonished by a Captain Lucas, who said to him, ' Colonel, I have looked at your Taranaki native pahs; I should like to take the strongest of them. Give me two hundred men, ajid I will do so.' Embodied reddest-red-tape-military-circuinlocu-tionism stared, took some time to consider, more time to make up its mind, and then told Captain Lucas his bold offer would not be accepted. Colonel Gold, we presume, thought the proposed plan of attack impracticable.-'What Governor Browne thought of it we are unable to announce. Captain Lucas saw his Excellency, who said, ' Walk in, Captain Lucas. I think I have heard of you through Colonel Gold. Pray, are you the gentleman who impertinently (or imprudently, our little bird cannot swear which) told the commander of the f<?rces that you would take a strong native pah if he would furnish yon with two hundred men for such a service.' ' Yes, Governor Browne, I am the man who made that offer to Colonel Gold; and now I make it to you.' His Excellency looked grave. Captain Lucas then opened his plan of attack, vwhich Commodore Loring and Captain Cracroft, who accompanied him, highly approved. Conversation was animated. The Governor asked many questions, but expressed no dangerous opinion. Commodore Loring and Captain Cracroft, on the other hand, said that Captain Lucas proposed nothing that appeared to them impracticable or very difficult to effect. But who is Captain Lucas? No doubt that question will present itself to readers ia general. Report declares.him a British army captain who fought ih the Crimea, and with his own hand planted British colors on the topmost height of the celebrated Redan. Circumstances introducing him to Colonel Gold are curious —if true. He happened to be at Taranaki reposing after the fatigues of travel. Colonel Gold sent for for him to join some corps of the force under his command. Lucas declined the honor. Gold was angry and went in person to fetch him. Explanations mutually made produced feelings mutually pleasant, and the bold offer was consequent upon an opinion of Taranaki native pahs, formed by Captain Lucas, while himself and the cautious Colonel were them." [This tale has been going the round of the papers in New Zealand under various headings, ty first appeared in tha