THE COLONIST.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 356, 22 March 1861, Page 2

THE COLONIST.

NELSON, FRIDAY, MARCH 22, 1861

We have never been alarmists, but have always advocated precautionary and preventive measures in every department of social and municipal life; and certainly have been surprised .ever.since our evidence in New Zealand to see how little care has been taken by those placed in authority over us for our health, comfort, or safety from an external or internal foe. Panics never happen where due foresight has been observed, and where duties are attached to citizenship beyond that all absorbing idea of accumulating wealth, which, especially in the colonies, seems to be the only appreciated quality in man, and success in which is duly celebrated by a public breakfast or dinner and a sycophantic testimonial to the lucky amasser on his retirement to the old country to spend his not in all caries honorably got wealth. The 'citizen-soldier' was some time a paradox to the well-fed and well-protected modern Great Briton, in all parts of the world where England held her sway; but now the times give it proof. And we in New Zealand especially are suddenly made aware that we have duties to perform beyond those of the shop or the plough; and that in future the noble art of self-defence must become a part of our social existence, and that all systems of education will be incomplete where this great principle of self-reliance and true patriotism is neglected. Assuming this to be the case, it behoves every sober-minded citizen to examine into our means of defence in case of attack. It is now twelvemonths since we were startled into a condition to see our insecurity and utter helplessness in case of a sudden emergency ; and to those whom it most concerns that, with all the stirring events which have happened in this small space of time, we are in a very little better position now than we were at the period to which allusion is made. What with the great defect of the volunteer system as a general defensive force, and the reactionary lukewarmness which always follows such impulsive movements ; and above all the gross and culpable neglect of the Government to aid even this fractional part of the community by supplying them with the necessary arms; we stand in a very little better position than a flock of lambs led quietly to slaughter, should an attack be made on any part of this island. We have been favored with the perusal of a document, issued by the constituted authority in these*matters, which it behoves all officers and non-commissioned officers of volunteer companies to make themselves well acquainted with. We refiain from giving publicity to any part, of this document for reasons which our readers will respect; but we hail it as a sign that things will be managed better in future and that our leaders are quite ready to use. every exertion and take every precaution that a body of rational beings shall not be compelled to rusa helter-skelter, not knowing where to go or what to do, in case of alarm.

To the volunteers, who entered upon service in singleness of heart and a firm intention of doing what would be required of them as good men and true, we would give the earnest advice to attend well and punctually at drill; to perfect themselves in the manual part of their exercises; to aid and assist their. chosen officers in iheir endeavors to make their different companies efficient in all the duties which may at any time be required of them: to drop all minor differences and avoid all petty squabbles; and all to join heart and hand, and, should the time ever come, as one man to go in and win. We cannot conclude these desultory and hot-weather remarks better than by quoting the following sensible, manly, and truly patriotic observations addressed by Lieu-tenant-Colonel Sir Hubert B. Edmunds to the Wenlock Reading Society:—

'Again I see among your sports the practice of the bow. Now iet no man speak slightingly of the " cloth-yatd shaft,!' which ere now has measured the length of many an enemy on foreign soil/ But there is a- lime for all things, and the time for archery as a martial exercise has gone' by for ever. - We live in days when the Whole art of war has been revolutionised by the rifle. It is impossible then that the arrow can ever fly again in a foughten field. And if unfit for real war, does it not become unfit for athletic sport? Does it not lose its interest as an exercise for men? To them the very charm and life of any sport is its imagery of earnest; and the earnest has gone out of archery. For the future then I would say to the men of Wenlock —" Resign your bow and quiver into gentler bands; trust these innocent weapons to the fair, who, when they aim at human hearts, mean no harm." For the stem men of England henceforth the national weapon is the rifles And lam glad to see that this year you have for the first time introduced rifle-shooting among your Wenlock games. This is giving it its true place. The volunteer movement will never be safe till rifle-shooting has become the national game of our day as the popinjay and archejry of yore. It is a more reasonable and intelligent weapon, less dependent on brute force, but not on that account less manly, for its practice requires great discipline of all the manly qualities. It develops individual intelligence, self-reliance, patience, thoughtfulness, and sobriety, for no drunkard will ever do anything with the rifle. The rifle is only domesticated in countries renowned for national liberty and individual independence. If, men of Wenlock, you wish to bring about this result in your own town, I would counsel you to apply to some one of your many tried and liberal friends among the landed gentry to rent you a piece ot meadow land to be the playground of your town. It does not do to be always borrowing a field. Rent one, and be independent; so that any day of the week, except Sunday, you may be able to practise your rifles, or have a game of cricket or football. May your Wenlock games long flourish. May they extend all over Shropshire, and make Shropshire men still better and stouter than they are.'

We have pleasure in directing attention to a communication from W. L. Wrey, Esq.!which will be found in another column, referring to a visit lately paid by him to the Wangapeka gold district, to which he intends soon to return for more extended research. In the meantime the most sanguine report of the auriferous character of the locality may be considered to have been fully confirmed; and we trust that when such steps as are intended have been taken for forming tracks and crossing rivers, that commensurate benefits will speedily accrue to the province, ,

It has been stated that in revising the roll all persons incorrectly registered will be struck off the list. . Incorrectness, we presume, would be alleged against persons who have changed their residences, or landholders who have incompletely described their holdings. It behoves all persons to see, while there is yet time, whether they have not a chance of losing their votes.

Long Shots.—One of the volunteers, writes to the editor of the laranalci Herald, from the Omata Stockade, commenting on 'an error or two which appeared in your two last issues,' denying that the natives had ever iv daylight taken anything'from under the nose of the garrison.' He then says that they had the ' good luck to kill one fellow at 700 yards, and to mortally wound another at 1800 yards.' : ■

Concert.—We call attention to,the announcement of a concert that will take place at the Odd Fellows' Hall, in aid of the Widows and Orphans' Fund of the Society. Particulars will be forthcoming shortly of the songs, &c, and ampb time being allowed, we hope that country members and friends of the Order will respond to the notice with as numerous an attendance as the object deserves.

Dun Mountain.—ln addition to the absorption of labor lately spoken of in connection with the operations of the Dun Mountain Company at the1 works in progress, tenders have been more than once required for contracts for work not requiring, skilled labor. Of this description is one advertised in this issue for punching 250 tons of iron rails for the tramway about to be constructed by this Company, and which we shall welcome not only as an indubitable sign of advancement, but also as a means of dispensing capital and work to the laboring classes. New Coinage.—A new bronze coinage has just been issued, which is to replace our current coppers. The pieces—penny, halfpenny, and farthing —are about one-third the size and one-half the weight of the old coins. They are neatly struck. The image of her Majesty is however unsatisfactory, as, except on the halfpenny, it bears no resemblance whatever to the Queen. Instead of the fine well-cut head on the old pennies, both head and shoulders are given, and the bust is small in comparison with the head. The headdress is neither classical nor modern. On the reverse is dear old Britannia with her tridenf, a lighthouse, a ship in full sail, and a view of the sea, which had been omitted in our recent currency. The superscription round the Queen's head is— 'Victoria, D.G., Britt. Reg., F.D.;' and on the reverse side—' One Penny,' Halfpenny,' and ' Farthing,' respectively, with the date 1860.