Colonial Intelligence.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 7, Issue 356, 8 March 1866, Page 3

Colonial Intelligence.

We cull the following items from papers to hand on Tuesday last per s.s. ‘ Lord Ashley,’ from Auckland, and the s.s. * Queen,’ from Southern Provinces:— From Auckland there is little to interest general readers out of that Province.—The Supreme Court sittings commenced on the Ist March. —The Market Reports will be found in our commercial column.—The 68th Eegt. were to embark for England in a few days, on board the ships * Percy ’ and * Ballarat,’ From Wellington we learn that Messrs Taylor Featherston, and Borlase have been returned for the City—having polled 324, 312, and 309 respectively. Capt. Rhodes was a defeated candidate —having only polled 169. Mr Oliver has been returned for the district of Waimea, in the Province of Nelson, defeating Mr Saunders, the Superintendent. Messrs Fitzherbert and Ludlam have been returned without opposition for the Hntt district. Mr A. de Brandon is expected to bo returned for the Porirua district. Mr E. C. J. Stevens has been returned without opposition for the new district of Selwyn, in the province of Canterbury. The Canterbury Press comments strongly on I)r Featherston’s late sneech in the Odd Fellows’ Hall. The Canterbury Provincial Council is called to meet again on the 13th inst. The West Coast road is now fairly open, and vehicles can pass along it the whole way from Christchurch to Hokitika. The Muedebebs or Me Volkneb. —The five Maoris charged with the murder of the Rev. Mr Volkner at Opotiki will be brought up before his Worship to-day, but the case will probably not be entered upon, as the schooner Fortune, with some of the witnesses, has not yet arrived from the East Coast. It is worth mention that yesterday (Friday) was the anniversary of the cruel murder with which these men are charged—. Daily Southern Cross, 3rd March. Rebel Natives in the Waibasaba.— -The letter of our Wairarapa correspondent contains the statement that Wi Waka, a rebel native, who is said to have been actively engaged in the recent fighting north of Wanganui, and who was present at the action in which the gallant Colonel Hassard lost his life, is now once more back to his old quarters in the Wairarapa. Another rebel, named Keritiana, ia also said to be in the district, and it is asserted, with what degree of truth we cannot judge, that he boasts of having been the man who firtd the shot that killed Colonel Hassard. This may be merely a sample of Maori braggadocio, but if two natives, who within a few weeks have been fighting against us, are now going about at large in a peaceful district, and exciting feelings of apprehension, it ia surely necessary that they should if possible be apprehended. A change of scene to the t batham Islands, in company with several hundreds of their fellow rebels who are shortly to be despatched there, would be highly beneficial to Wi Waka and Karitiana.—Wellington Independent, 3rd March. Wanganui.—Militaet Movements. —We are informed that the Government have re-considered their hastily-formed determination of abandoning the outposts in these districts. The 18th Royal Irish are to occupy Patea and surrounding posts only, evacuating all other posts held by them. H.M. 14th Regiment—head-quarters at Wanganui, will detach 100 men to occupy Wereroa, 50 to Waitotara, 50 to Alexander s Farm, 30 to Hewitt’s (Stewart’s Redoubt), and 50 to Nukamaru. . . . On Friday last about 20 of the Native Contingent, under Captain M'Donnell, left Wanganui for Pipiriki to relieve H.M. 57th, stationed there. Some of the Contingent had proceeded a day or two in advance, and we believe the remainder will follow in a day or two under Lieutenant Gudgeon. These arrangements will tend to show the enemy that our frontiers are still protected, and that, in case of need, we are prepared to pay them another visit. —Wanganui Times, 27th February. New Zealand Patsiotic Fund. — We are glad to learn that subscriptions to the New Zealand Patriotic Fund are rapidly coming in, and that the undertaking will be liberally supported. Already several hundreds of pounds have been received.—New Zealand Advertiser, 2nd March.