RAGLAN NOTES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2305, 19 April 1887, Page 2

RAGLAN NOTES.

During the past week we have enjoyed beautiful weather, with a heavy shower of rain occasionally. A pood 'many visitors have been staying here for their Easter holidays from Auckland, Thames, Waikato, and other parts. The Raghn members of the Te Awamutu troop arrived at home on Tuesday, very much disappointed that they were not allowed to take part in the sham fight. The friends of Constable Bulford, clerk of the R. M. Court, who is stationed here, have been hearty in their congratulations upon his receipt of a silver medal for " long service and good conduct/' Mr Bulford having been 1!) years in the A.C. service. This is the third medal he has received since his arrival in the colonies. One of the former was a New Zealand war' medal for six years' service in New Zealand in the Gsth Regiment, and for active service ; the other a silver medal for "distinguished conduct in the field." On reference to an old Auckland paper in my possession, describing the Waikato war, I iind that on the morning of the 7th of .September, 18(13, the sad morninsr on which Mr Armitage and his party were killed by the natives at Cameron, Capt. Swift, who was in charge of the Tuakau redoubt, having seen the dense smoke arising from the depot at Cameron, and hearing the firing, and upon the arrival of five natives in a canoe reporting the death of Mr Armitage and the burning of the e:immissariat stores, proceeded at once in the direction of Cameron along with Lieutenant Buller and fifty men. Passing along through the bush—a distance of about seven miles—a clearing was reached, and a hill ascended. An advanced guard was sent on, but gut separated from the main body. The party, under Captain Swift, moved on through the bush aloni* a track for about 200 yards, when Maoris was heard talking. Extending on both sides of the track Captain Swift ordered his men to fix bayonets. The Gobi) marched forward about twenty yards along the track, when passing a sudden turn on the road the natives received them with open fire. Poor Swift fell mortally wounded. Lieutenant Butler and his gallant men then charged the natives, and he was wounded too. After shooting two natives with his revolver he gave the' men into the charge of ColourSergeant McKenna. After firing for about half-an-hour the bravo 05th drove the natives back, with a loss to them of seven or eight men. Darkness coming on ended the conflict, and the little band of the 05th, who had so gallantly fought against such odds, remained all night on the ground. After Capt. Swift was bit he requested Mr Bulford, who had then gone to his assistance, to follow the men and not to mind him, as he could do him no good. Corporals Ryan and Bulford then carried Capt. Swift to the rear of the place of engagement, and were followed by a portion of the natives. Privates Thomas and Cole had carried Lieutenant Buller on before, binding the natives closing on them, they doubled on them, and got under cover with poor Swift who at this time was suffering great agony' having been shot in the left side. Having tied handkerchiefs over the wound and done everything in their power for'their gallant captain, after staying with the latter until his death, which occurred about seven that evening, Ryan and Bulford i then, healing the natives camping and seeing their fires close to them, and knowing they would see theirs in the morning, covered the remains of poor Switt with their coats, and started in the direction of the cam]), travelling all night through a swamp. Next morning, on their way to camp, they met Lieut.-Col. Murray with reinforcements. Returning with them, they recovered Swill's hotly, ; which was conveyed to camp aud alter- j

wards buried in tlie Auckland cemAtery. (Jeneral Cameron, in his dispute!), mentioned Bulford, Talbot, Cole and Thomas, who, in consequence of their bravery and devotion to their wounded officers, received each a medal for "distinguished conduct in the field."

On Saturday. afternoon two steamers were loading and unloading at our wharf. Our regular trader the s.s. Staffa, Oa|it-. McArtliiir, which arrived from Onehnnga and the s.s. Waitara from the port of that name under command of Capt, McCarthy. The latter left Waitara at live on Friday afternoon towing out the Northern Co., s.s. Gairloch bound for Onehunga, and arrived here the next morning at 1.30 a.m. calling here for a cargo of liine. She shipped nearly 300 bags. Both vessels left between four and five in the afternoon, one going north and the other south. A large number of settlers were on the wharf ■ during their stay here, we and all hoped the day might not be, far distant when steamers would be coming here regularly in great numbers. The lime carried away was tor agricultural purposes, and its effect upon the land of Taranaki will be anxiously looked forward to. For if it is found, as it is believed, it will be of value to the soil, no doubt a large quantity will be obtained from here.

A subscription is being got up to get over the Hamilton Band for the races. The latter are 'causing some excitement here, citement here, and if fine, no doubt a great number will be present.—(Own Correspondent.) Raglan, April 17th, 1887.