A special reporter of the " Thames j Advertiser" has written an interesting j account of a trip to Ohinemuri. So far as the general facts go the report appears to be sufficiently accurate, but in one part he falls into what may not improbably be a very serious blunder. In describing the Maori fortifications at Ohinemuri he speaks of the earthworks as shallow and flimsy, the palisading slight, and ho is convinced that " the whole thing could be hloAvn away by one of the Naval Brigade guns." The reporter probably forms this opinion from his oavh inexperienced judgment. The mere earthworks and palisading appeared to him to be useless for defence, and he forms an exaggerated notion of the des tructive powers of the guns of the Naval Volunteers. The same mistake was made by the British Artillery and Engineer officers in the British army at the commencement of the Avar in Ncav Zealand. It cost Colonel Despard in the Hone Heko war the loss of over 100 valuable lives. In the Avar in 18(53 Commodore Seymour, of the Pelorus, and the officer in command of the Royal Artillery were of the same opinion. They Avere not long finding an excellent object upon Avhich to test the range and poAver of their ordnance — the Puketakaure Pa. Several 21 pounder howitzers and ship

guns, including a long-range Lancaster Avere got into position, the calibre of some of the guns being 9S pounders. The Pa Avas bombarded for several days without much effect, and when a storming party composed of tivo companies of some of the finest troops in the service attempted to carry the works they were received Avith a murderous fire, which absolutely swept them down like a storm of grape and can ister, it was found afterwards that the Avorks were practically intact. The same results Avere seen all through the war. When the Armstrong

battery came out under Captain Mercer, and was tried in warfare for the first time, great things were expected, but the shot actually went (dean through the "flimsy breastworks" without making a breach. 