WANGANUI.

Evening Post, Issue 166, 19 August 1865, Page 2

WANGANUI.

The following is from the Correspondent of the Wanjranni Chronicle. — Fort Brassey, August ,8, 1865. Beyond all doubt, our people have committed a fearful havoc among the ranks of the enemy during the siege. Upon the authority of several chiefs it has been ascertained that upwards of fifty of the rebels liave been put hors de combat, including nine chiefs. The pakehas or friendly volunteers, held a mons'er meeting to day, for the purpose of testing the feeling of their people with regard to proceeJing up the river to attack the rebels ; the decision come to, is. that they decline at present, alleging their reasons to be severity of the weather, &c, consequently Captains M'Donnell and Hirst have not left their respective posts as yet, but the expedition will start irrespective of volunteer natives' assistance, or as a great many of the latter have leit here for their respective abodes, the expedition will consist of about 200 rank and file, Captain M'Donnell's native Wanganni contingent, Captain Hirst's rangers, and about 80 of Brassey's braves, commanded by Lieutenant Wilson, os promising an officer as has ever served in New Zealand. Several Hau Hnus have come into camp, Pehi among them. "What the authorities intend to do with them I know not. The expedition starts to-day, and numbers as follows : — Wanganui native 1 contingent 180, including 80 cupapoes or friendly volunteers, together with 22 of Captain Hirst's bush or forest rangers, the wtiffie commanded by Captain M'Donnell. Mr. Booth accompanies the expedition, and very possibly I shall have some information of importance to forward you ere long they take five days' provisions with then. Fort Brassey, August 9, 1865. The expedition has returned, having destroyed the various rebel villages wiibin five miles of this vicinity, the l ( au Haus retreated in all directions, but have sent in threats to the effect that their intentions are to attack us at an earty date. The volunteer Maori chiefs Mete Kingi, Hori Kingi and several other chiefs who accompanied Captain M'Donnell, exceed 700 in number. Our people now are in rags, notwithstanding their clothing being due now some time, and are compelled to wear Maoti mats. Then again another corap'aint is, three month.,' pay is due to the native contingent and I ask why not pay these brave and loyal troops. No matter what we may be compelled to endure, I ask the Govornraent in the name of all that is good to keep faith with these people, as they fully deserv^ the serious consideration of the Government and public in general. Fort Brassey, August 12, 1865. Everything tranquil at this post; a rumour has been freely spread about yesterday, to the effect that the enemy were again to make their appearance in. this vicinity ; should such be the case, they may look out. We are, I assure you as usual, prepared for them. Captain McDonnell of the native contingent assumes command of this post in the absence of Captain Brassey, on duty at Wellington. A rumour has just reached to the effect that we are to hold ourselves in readiness for departure to some other part of the Island. Through the courtesy of Mr. Booth, 8.M., who leaves here almost immediately, you will receive this short memorandum, ..and 1 should be wanting in the true discharge of duty if I did not acknowledge his kindness to me as your reporter, on all occasions tn*at I required any information from him.

The late King of Prussia once sent to an aide-de-camp, Colonel Malachowiri, who was brave but poor, a small portfolio, bound like a book, in which were deposited five hundred crowns. Some time afterwards he the officer, and said to him, "Ah ! well, how do you like the new work which I sent you ?" " Excessively, sire," relied the Colonel. " I read it with such interest, that I expect the second volume with impatience." The King smiled, and when the officer's birthday arrived, he presented him with another portfolio, similar in every respect to the first, but with these words engraved upon it, " This work is complete in two volumes."