Colonical News.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XIII, Issue 1024, 8 May 1869, Page 3

Colonical News.

A. correspondent, serving then with forces on the East Coast, makes the following rather waggish remarks on the subject of fighting costume :— ct In the absence of present intelligence worth noticing, I may remark that late expeditions into the bush have disclosed the utility of the. Highland costume, always considered picturesque, hut rude and uncomfortable. The knowing hands now invaiiably disregard the ‘breeks,’ and wear a shawl round the waist after the fashion of the kilt. Those who set out clad in ‘ continuations ’ generally return either without them, or with such garments hanging in tatters from their limbs, the friction of the knees against either tea-tree or fern being destructive to brothcloth. Besides, many creeks have to be forded, and there is not time for each man to undress and reclothe himself on the march without falling to the rear, so he has but one alternative, either to shiver, in his dripping nether garments till they dry upon him, or to discard them altogether, which last, I am informed is infinitely the more comfortable of the two. This is a useful suggestion to officers choosing a uniform for service in New Zealand, and one which has not escaped notice, having been adopted with some regard to taste by the officers of an extemporised force in an adjacent district —a green tartan shawl doing duty as a kilt, and contrasting well with long scarlet stockings, while the foraging cap, or Highland bonnet, as the case may be, is ornamented with a white feather, which last is not exactly in accordance with European ideas. As .a design in costume it is a success, being semibarbaric, quaint, and picturesque, as well as serviceable and comfortable, the white feather excepted.” The following particulars respecting the Galatea have been supplied by one of the officers to the Nelson Colonist : She was built in the Government yard at Woolwich in 1859, but was not put in commisson until 1862, when she was sent to join the Baltic squadron. She was afterwards removed to the Mediterranean, and thence to the West Indian Station, on which she saw some real service. The blowing up of the Bulldog, after a gallant fight at Cape Hatyien, though it happened some four years ago, was attended by circumstances which have no doubt still kept it fresh in the memories of most of our readers. The exploit, though irregular and in its issue very fortunate, was one after John Bull’s own heart. He vowed to exact a salutary vengeance for the destruction of his Bulldog, and the Galatea being then on the West Indian Station was told off for the service. She performed it thoroughly, dismantling and almost knocking to atoms the forts at Cape Haytien. This episode finished, she had barely time to return to Jamaica when the insurrection broke out, and opened a prospect of some melancholy work. It does not appear however, that the Galatea had to take a very active part in the suppression of the rebellion. In January, 1866, she returned home, and was paid off" at Devonport. With the name of the Galatea’s first commander —the late Captain Rochfort Maguire—a sorrowful reminiscence is connected. It was he who succeeded Commodore Wiseman on the Australian Station. But he did not live long to enjoj 7 his promotion, having died in the latter part of 1867- Thus, though the Galatea is nine years old, this is only the second time she has been in commission.