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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 6, Issue 291, 24 July 1865, Page 2

Another Fight. —From a private source we learn that the arch-rebel Patara has received great reinforcements ; that he has attacked Morgan and our forces with at least a temporary success—killing some 30 on our side, while his own loss has been 6 or 8. We do not vouch for the perfect accuracy of the above, as it comes to us through the natives ; who, however, often manage to obtain pretty correct information in advance of the authorities. We are also informed that the lives of the Europeans there are in danger. This may account for the protracted stay of the St. Kilda, with Mr McLean ; there is, however, a rumor that he has proceeded to Auckland.

The Great Maori Feast.— This feast, which has so long been talked of, commences this day at Pa Whakaairo. We understand that the preparations made for it are of unusual magnitude—the quantity of kai kai being something enormous, and of which sugar, obtained at the port, forms a very considerable item. We believe that the programme for the korero embraces a wide range of subjects, including, of course, the land leasing question and that of the Pai Mariri.

Native Debtors. —These gentlemen having been served with writs, and having the fear of something more before their eyes, have paid their bills by draft upon the Government, which, we are told, have been duly honored. Supplying Alcoholic Drink to Natives. .—This practice is now carried on in the most unblushing manner—not only, as usual, by the bottle, but by the keg. Truly, the squatters on the one hand, and the drinksellers on the other, have given the native race a sad idea of the respect due to the law.

Another Hard Nut !—Our readers will perceive by advertisement in another column that a writ has been issued for the election of a member of the Provincial Council, to fill the seat vacant by the resignation of Mr Colenso, The advertisement of this writ has been so arranged that, had the s.s. Egmont been true to her time, that gentleman would have been on his way to Wellington before its publication. So far there is no mystery j but it will be remembered that His Honor took his departure for Waiapu in the Eclipse on the 11th, since which he has held no communication with the port, yet the writ bears date the 17th inst. I

The Coming Election. —We are informed that the Government party has already two (!!!) candidates in the field for the vacant seat, we suppose upon the principle of “ the more the merrier,” However this may be, the public will not, we trust, allow any dodge to turn them from their purpose of electing their own man, and thereby showing their appreciation of his services, and adding their protest to his against the whole policy and conduct of the present Government of the province.

The Imperfect Executive. —We have not yet learned that the vacant seat in the Executive has been filled. We are therefore to infer that it has not, and that the whole machinery of the Executive Government of the Province is still carried on in an illegal manner. We question if any of its proceedings are good in law. Charles Allen, Esq. — We regret to learn that Mr Charles Allen, solicitor, (formerly of Napier), who left Wellington for London in the Asterope some months ago, had another attack of illness on the voyage home, and that Mrs Charles Allen died five days after her arrival in the mother country.

Erratum. — In the communicated article in our last, about the middle of the 4tb column, for “ the famed Raniera te Heahea,” read the “ daughter of the famed,” &c.