NEWS FROM THE NORTH.

Dunstan Times, Issue 373, 18 June 1869, Page 3

NEWS FROM THE NORTH.

(Condensed from the Baity Times.)

Napier June 7.

Colonel Whitmore arrived here on Saturday, from Wairoa, the wot weather having prevented his going to the front. The Sturt arrived yesterday, after having landed one hundred and fifty-seven Ngatiporou at Mahia, eu route for Wairoa and the freak Slie loaves to-night for Welling-

ton, with Colonel Whitmore and Eopata on lioard. The St. Kil la is expected here to-day, with seventy Ngatiporou for Patea. The Sturt reports that the pontoons had not got far inland, owing to the bad weather

Despatches from Colonel St. John, dated from Fort Galatea, report all quiet there. The men were at work on the roads and forts.

The now telegraph station at Haroto will soon be opened. It will be occupied by an armed guard of thirty men. A native has been missing since Wednesday, and no clue has been obtained as to the cause of his disappearance. Wellington*, June 8. A Warm debate took place this evening on Mr. Fox’s motion for a return showing the correspondence which took place relative to the appointment of Mr. H. 11. Richmoud, Superintendent of Taranaki, to the office of Resident Magistrate. Mr. J. C, Eichmoni resented the imputation of nepotism. Mr. Hall said the Richmond family deserved well of the colony. Mr. Fox enumerated nine offices held by them, and said it would have paid the colony to give them £IOO,OOO to go away.

Mr. Cracroft Wilson’s resolutions come on for discussion on Friday. His scheme is regarded as quite impracticable. June 9.

On the House meeting to-day, Mr. Fox gave notice that, on Tuesday next, he would move, “ That this -House has no confidence in the Government.” Mr. Stafford said that he held in his hand the Government resolutions regarding their Native policy, of which he was about to give notice of motion, ‘but of course he could not now do so until Mr. Fox’s motion was disposed of. Thirty armed Hau-haus have seized the Chief Manihera’s house, at Wairarapa, in consequence of the late laud dispute. They have also destroyed a quantity of fencing. Manihera intends to make a forcible attempt to-morrow,, to recover possession of his house.

Napier, June 10.

Despatches have been received from Colonel St. John, dated the Bth and 9th inst. They state that a cavalry escort, consisting of the Bay of Plenty Volunteers, were left by Colonel St. John at Opepe, under the command of Cornet Smith, while the former proceeded on a reconnoitring expedition. On the morning of the Bth, the escort was surprised, and nine men were killed.

Numerous tracks were seen, loading towards Waitakanui, on Lake Taupo, as if a strong party had been proceeding thither from the Uriwera country.

The first intimation of the disaster was conveyed to Colonel St. John by the brothers Hallett, on their way to Napier. On arriving at Opepe on the forenoon of the Sth they discovered two dead bodies, stripped. Seeing no traces of the cavalry, they instantly returned’ to Tapuehaiuru to acquaint Colonel St. John of the fact. That officer started off with Captain k St. George the same night, and reached Opepe at daylight next morning. Nothing was to be seen of the Hau-haus but their tracks They found nine bodies altogether, viz., those of two subalterns, two sergeants, and five privates. None of the bodies -wore mutilated.

Nelson, Juno 10.

The Prince, Lody Bowen, and Lieutenant Beresford have bought shares in the Long Drive Claim, at the Thames, It is said to be a splendid investment.

Mr. Hunt has ..sold his celebrated claim for £40,000.

A keg of gunpowder, marke.l “Boston,” has been found in the neighborhood of Putere, near Napier.

Three of Tito Kowaru’s late force are residing ia New Plymouth. Great indignation is expressed that the authorities should permit them to remain at large.

Wellington. June 11,

Mr. Cracroft Wilson’s motions have been allowed to lapse, and fresh notice of motion has been given by him for next week. The Wanganui Herald states that it has been informed by Aperiniko that Tito Kowaru has written to the King, asking for help to carry on the war in his own district, to which ho has returned.

June 13.

The Governor and the Hon. Dr Pollen are not expected to arrive here till the 26th During the latter’s absence, the Legislative Council is unable to proceed with, business, there being no representative of the Government present..

The Native quarrel at Wairarapa still wears a threatening aspect. The Natives numbering one hundred and twenty, are busy collecting arms. The Resident Magistrate advises the Government to arrest the leaders of the movement.

Geeymouth, June 11

A destructive fire broke out at three o’clock this morning at Johnston’s Mel bourne Hotel. The Bank of New South Wales, the Bank of Australasia, and the Union Bank, were completely destroyed. The following buildings wore also burned down : —Flannery’s Hotel, the Melbourne Hotel, and the premises of Messrs Perkins, barrister; Trist, blacksmith ; Badger, painter ; Broadbent, jeweller ; Hamilton and Nichol, merchants ; 'fhompson, Smith, and Barkley, drapers ; Morris and Co., and Forsyth and Masters, ironmongers; and Hunter, tobacconist. The fife also gutted Clarke’s Masonic Hotel, the Bank Hotel, and other buildings. The damage is estimated at £60,000:

Napier, June 13.

Constable Newand, accompanied by a man named Carpenter, were surprised on the 10th instant by an ambuscade of seven Hauhaus, two miles on the Wairoa side of Mai or Herrick’s camp, Newand was shot

dead, and afterwards tomahawked. Carpenter escaped by jumping on to a troopers horse. No fresh news has been received from Colonel St. John. Twenty five natives go to Ilaroto to morrow. CHRisTOHUitcH, June 13.

Catoii and Murphy, charged with conspiracy to defraud a Mr. Wilson of £3.000, have been found guilty. On the application of Mr. Travers, however, the case is reserved to be heard by the Court of Appeal, on the ground that Murphy's confession should not have been received, and without it, the Judge should have directed the jury that there was no cause to go to them. Murphy has been sentenced to three months' imprisonment, being in the eyes of the Court, the Jury and the public merely the tool of Caton. Sentence was not passed on the latter, pending the decision of the Court of Appeal. He has been admitted to bail, himself in £2OOO, and two sureties of £IOOO each. Murphy, will also be sot at liberty on giving security, himself of £2OO, and two sureties of £IOO each.